Important Cat Health Information about Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Feline Illnesses

FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus)

FIV is classified as a lentivirus (slow virus). FIV enters the lymph nodes and targets the white blood cells called T lymphocytes, which fight infection. Persistently infected cats may appear normal for years. Eventually, signs of immunodeficiency begin to develop, and the cat's ability to protect itself against infection is compromised.

If you are considering taking a stray cat into your home, you should bly consider having it tested for FIV, as well as any other possible diseases. This should especially be considered if you already have cats in your home, to avoid infecting your current cats.

Spread:

The primary mode of transmission is through bite wounds.
Casual, nonaggressive contact among cats does not appear to be an efficient route of spreading FIV.
On rare occasions, the disease is transmitted from an infected mother cat to her kittens during gestation, during passage through the birth canal, or when the newborn kittens ingest infected milk.
Sexual contact is not known to be a primary means of spreading FIV.

Possible Signs:

Poor coat condition
Persistent fever with a loss of appetite
Infection and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and mouth (stomatitis)
Chronic or recurrent infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and upper respiratory tract
Persistent diarrhea
Slow, progressive weight loss

Cure:

As of yet there is no vaccination for FIV.
To control bacterial and fungal infection, using antimicrobial drugs may be moderately successful. However, they must be continued for long periods, or started again as new infections occur.
Intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and feeding of high caloric dietary supplements, is frequently required for supportive care.
Corticosteroids and other anti–inflammatory drugs may in some cases, be used to control gingivitis and stomatitis.
To control weight loss and wasting, anabolic steroids may be used.

Vaccines:

As of yet there is no vaccination for FIV.

Transmission to humans (and dogs):

Based on evidence of recent studies, it appears that FIV infections are restricted to cats.

Prevention:

Be sure to have your cat tested.
Diagnosis is based on the history, clinical signs, and results of an FIV antibody test.
Keeping your cat indoors will drastically reduce it's risks of becoming infected with FIV
Separate positive and negative cats.

Multi Cat Households:

Ideally infected cats should be separated from the non–infected ones.
If fighting or rough play is not taking place, the risk to the non–infected cats appears to be low and separation may not be necessary.

New Cats:

Feline immunodeficiency virus is fairly unstable outside the cat and will not survive for more than a few hours in most environments
Please note that many FIV–positive cats are infected with other infectious diseases. These may pose some threat to a new cat, so precautions should be taken before it is brought into the home.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect or replace food and water dishes, bedding, litter pans and toys.
A dilute solution of household bleach (4 oz. bleach in 1 gal. water) makes an excellent disinfectant.
Vacuum carpets and mop floors with an appropriate cleanser.
Be sure that any new cats or kittens are properly vaccinated against any other infectious diseases before entering their new home.
Prevent the new cat(s) from contacting infected cats.

Euthanasia

The idea of euthanizing a positive cat is one that must be addressed in each individual case, in consultation with the attending veterinarian.
Euthanasia is not necessary to control the transmission of the virus, as long as your cat is kept indoors and away from all other cats.
However, you must remember, that the cat may develop a related illness and become so uncomfortable that euthanasia may become the only humane course of action.

Some of the preceding has been adapted from the Cornell Feline Health Center's information on feline immunodeficiency virus and other veterinary resources.
It is presented for informational use only.
Please see your veterinarian if you suspect any illnesses in you pet(s).