ADKO

fiv

7 min read

This article, “Exposing the Myths of FIV and Feline AIDS” by Janet Newman, published on May 7, 2025, challenges the widely held beliefs about Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline AIDS. The author agrees with Miles’s previous paper, which suggested many cats are prevented from living full lives. Newman argues that “fake diseases” and inaccurate testing contribute to the suffering of cats, leading to their confinement, isolation, or even euthanasia based on positive FIV tests.

While acknowledging that the practice of euthanizing FIV-positive cats has decreased, Newman contends that isolation and advice to neuter to prevent FIV are still based on misinformation. She asserts that there is no difference in health between FIV-positive and FIV-negative cats, that “feline AIDS” is not contagious, and that neutering has no effect on FIV or its transmission. The article traces the history of FIV, noting its identification in 1986 and the initial panic fueled by studies suggesting pathogenicity and contagiousness. However, Newman contrasts this with numerous studies indicating that FIV-positive cats live as long as FIV-negative cats and do not exhibit significantly different health issues. Data from shelters like The Catwork (FIV) website and the 1000 FIV Cats project corroborate this, showing no health disparities.

Furthermore, the author discusses the lack of evidence for FIV contagiousness, even in situations of close contact or between mothers and kittens, citing a study by Annete Litster and observations from The Catwork (FIV) website. Newman suggests that initial findings may have been flawed due to unnatural laboratory conditions, citing Diane Addie’s work on Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) as an example of how outdoor studies can overturn established scientific paradigms. She also raises concerns about the unreliability of diagnostic tests, particularly for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), citing studies from IDEXX and University of Wisconsin Madison that highlight high false-positive rates. This unreliability has led US veterinarians to recommend shelters stop routine FIV and FeLV testing.

The article concludes by advocating for an end to the “feline AIDS scare” and calls for an end to the confinement and euthanasia of cats based on insignificant test results. Newman also notes that cats allowed to roam outdoors appear healthier, suggesting confinement may be a stressor that contributes to disease, and that feral, mostly intact cats show low prevalence of FIV and FeLV, further undermining theories of prevention through isolation and neutering.

Miles adds a personal anecdote and advice, urging readers not to test their pets or themselves for diseases, claiming it leads to unnecessary treatments, quarantining, or euthanasia. He recounts a personal experience where a friend was allegedly subjected to unnecessary bone cancer testing for a hernia at a hospital in Taos, highlighting a potential scam involving experimental treatments and federal funding. Miles advises extreme caution with medical professionals, particularly for pets who cannot consent. He also mentions refusing dental x-rays and retinal scans for himself and discusses concerns about mandatory vaccinations for children.

Key Entities and Concepts:

References:

Graph View