Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a serious illness that can lead to other medical conditions in cats. It is related to HIV (the virus that causes AIDS in humans) but is a species-specific version that is only circulated among cats. The FIV infection is normally transmitted by cat bites. If your pet is bit by another cat that has the illness, then your pet will probably contract the illness as well. FIV affects about two to four percent of all cats in the general population and is highest in outdoor felines.
Males between three to five years of age are also prone to the illness. This is partially because male cats are prone to fight, and these spats among toms can transmit the virus. There is no evidence that FIV can be transmitted between cats during mating though pregnant cats may transfer the disease to their kittens.
If your pet has FIV, then you will notice a gradual fever and a swelling of the lymph nodes. A cat with FIV also has an abnormally low white cell count and may have diarrhea or skin infections. Some cats with FIV also develop anemia. After these infections, the cat may go through a latent period where the animal will appear healthy. Then, the signs of the immunodeficiency virus will resurface and progress slowly. Cats with a chronic infection may get a variety of illnesses that will appear without any explanation.
Veterinarians report that cats with FIV are prone to develop gum diseases, or suffer a loss of appetite that can lead to emaciation. Some cats will sustain a fever, or will have recurrent upper respiratory infections. Your pet may suffer from long-standing diarrhea, or from an ear canal infection. Sometimes pets will also get recurrent urinary tract infections. About 50% of all cats with FIV have oral infections and 30% develop chronic upper respiratory infections. About 10 to 20% of all cats will also develop diarrhea. FIV can also affect cats neurologically. They may develop dementia.
The symptoms of FIV can mimic those of leukemia, cancer, or severe malnutrition. FIV cats also are at risk to developing lymphoma. In order to diagnose FIV, you will need to take your cat to a local veterinarian for an ELISA test. Your pet may also need an IFA test or the vet may suggest a Western blot immunoassay test too.
These tests can't distinguish between cats that have been vaccinated for FIV and those that actually have the illness. Also, it is important to note that some pets may read a false negative. This is especially true when FIV is in a terminal stage where the cat is unable to produce the detectable antibodies that would show up on the test.
There is not an effective treatment for FIV at present. Thankfully, researchers are working hard to develop a drug that can cure HIV in humans, and if they are successful they may be able to adapt the medication so that it can treat cats as well. Veterinarians warn well-meaning pet owners to avoid trying human AIDS and HIV medications, especially AZT. These medications can be extremely toxic for cats.
Pet owners who own a cat with FIV should make sure to keep the animal in a stress free environment, free of parasites, and cared for with good nutrition. You can try to prevent FIV in your cat by have a veterinarian administer the FIV vaccine or by keeping your cat indoors where he or she can't fight with other infected felines. Call a veterinarian today for more information!