Definition: Acronym for feline immunodeficiency virus, a disease caused by a retrovirus, sub-classified as a lentivirus and usually transmitted by saliva to blood (deep biting wounds). Its prevalence varies worldwide, but in the U.S., affects only 1.5% to 3% of cats.
Pronunciation: fee-line im-myun-o-dee-fish-un-cee vy-rusAudio Link
Also Known As: "Feline AIDS"
Examples:
My cat Shannon, was diagnosed with FIV at 17. He lived 18 months longer, and eventually died from complications of CRS, at age 19.
