Feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a serious cat disease, separate but
related to feline leukemia virus (FelV), both of which can affect any
cat. Here's important information about FIV to help cat owners learn
more about the disease.
Transmission
A
cat-specific retrovirus is responsible for making cats sick with FIV.
The virus is in the same family as human AIDS, but FIV can only make
cats sick. Human children, human adults, and pet dogs can't catch FIV
from the cat.
Experts
say that outdoor
cats
are
most at risk of acquiring FIV, especially if the cats are aggressive
males who roam. That's because FIV is commonly transmitted from cat
to cat via deep bite wounds — cat saliva from affected cats has
high concentrations of FIV. Indoor cats are at the lowest risk of FIV
transmission.
FIV
does not
spread
by any of the following:
- Food bowls
- Toys
- Food
- Bedding
- Human clothes,
shoes, or skin
Casual
contact between felines does not appear to spread FIV from cat to
cat. Mother cats can sometimes transfer FIV antibodies to their
kittens, but the antibodies will not be present in any uninfected
kittens once they reach six months of age.
Diagnosis
All
cats should be tested for FIV during wellness exams or when they show
signs of the disease. It's important for cat owners and veterinarians
to know which cats are affected by the disease since affected cats
can transmit FIV to other cats.
Testing
consists of a blood test for the antibodies produced in a cat's body
after exposure to FIV. The antibodies may show up within weeks of
exposure to FIV.
Ask
your cat's veterinarian to test your cat when:
- Your cat is sick.
- Your cat is getting
an FIV or FeLV vaccine.
- Your cat has been
exposed to another cat with FIV.
- You have another
cat or cats with positive FIV diagnosis.
If
your cat has received an FIV vaccine, the antibodies produced after
vaccination can mimic antibodies produced by the cat from the actual
immunodeficiency virus. Your veterinarian will use additional methods
to interpret your cat's blood test and confirm their FIV status.
Symptoms
Cats
with FIV can remain asymptomatic (not showing signs of disease) for
many years after being infected with FIV. Signs of FIV sickness can
be signs for other diseases, too, so it's important to have your cat
tested when they show any of the symptoms of FIV.
Symptoms
of FIV include the following:
- Dirty, unkempt fur
- Patches of missing
fur
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Eye inflammation
- Eye and nose
discharge
Since
cats with FIV have lowered immune systems, they're more likely to get
sick from parasites, fungal infections, and other diseases. You may
also see behavioral changes in your cat if they've acquired FIV.
Treatments
Cats
who are diagnosed with FIV live a median of five
years
after
their disease statuses have been confirmed. There's not an actual
cure for FIV, but your veterinarian will work with you to help ease
your cat's symptoms and develop a care plan.
A
healthy diet full of vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 (or omega-6)
fatty acids will help your cat. Don't feed a raw diet to an
FIV-positive cat, as uncooked food contains parasites and bacteria
that can make immunocompromised animals very sick. Prompt treatment
of any infection or wound is also important in maintaining your
FIV-positive cat's health.
Your
veterinarian may administer or prescribe the following medications
for cats with FIV to ease symptoms:
- Anti-inflammatory
drugs
- Immune
system–enhancing drugs
- Replacement fluids
and electrolytes
- Parasite control
If
your cat is diagnosed with FIV, ask your veterinarian about other
prescriptions or treatments for specific issues your cat is facing.
For example, your veterinarian can give you recommendations for
products to ease skin problems and gently clean your cat's disheveled
fur.
Home
Care
When
you have a cat or cats with positive FIV blood tests, keep the cat or
cats indoors at all times whenever possible. Indoor cats are less
likely to come in contact with other infectious agents. Indoor cats
with FIV won't be able to fight with outdoor cats and possibly spread
the disease through bites.
Keep
a close watch on any cat diagnosed with FIV. Look for any changes in
behavior, appetite, and appearance, and report any concerns to your
cat's veterinarian.
After
you work with your veterinarian to establish a care plan for your
FIV-positive cat, you should schedule at least two yearly exams with
the veterinarian. During the exams, your cat's veterinarian will
perform blood and urine tests to monitor your cat's health status.
The information helps your cat's veterinarian tailor a treatment plan
that enhances your cat's life.
When
your cat is really sick, get expert emergency veterinary help by
contacting South
Seattle Veterinary Hospital
right
away. We offer round-the-clock emergency and general veterinary care
for cats and dogs throughout the Seattle region.
