Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a retrovirus closely related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). FIV is not transmissible to humans. FIV is endemic in domestic cat populations worldwide. The virus doesn't survive long in the environment and loses its infectivity quickly once outside the host and is susceptible to all disinfectants.
The virus is transmitted through the blood and saliva of infected cats. The most common way for FIV infection to occur is via a bite wound sustained during a cat fight. This allows the saliva of an infected cat to enter the bloodstream of an uninfected cat. The risk of your cat becoming infected can be reduced by decreasing its chance of fighting with other cats. Methods to help reduce fighting include making sure your cat is sterilised and kept indoors at night, or, ideally only allowed outside access into a fully enclosed “cat run”.
The risk of transmission is very low in households with socially well-adapted cats. FIV cannot be spread through sharing feed/water bowls, litter trays or bedding with other cats in the house. Transmission from mother to kittens may occur, especially if the queen is undergoing a recently acquired infection. Infection with FIV is life-long as there is no known cure.
Symptoms
Many infected cats remain generally free of clinical signs for up to several years, and some cats never develop disease. Most clinical signs are due to development of an immune system deficiency and subsequent secondary infection.
Cats that are infected with FIV can have many different clinical signs. Typical manifestations of immune disease include severe gum and dental disease, runny discharges from the nose and eyes, enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, kidney disease, neurological signs, eye diseases and/or a fever.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is by a specific blood test for antibodies to the FIV virus. This test can be performed in the hospital while you wait.
Treatment and management
There is currently no known cure for FIV, and therefore treatment is targeted at the secondary diseases that arise as a result of the viral infection. Because the immune system of a cat with FIV is suppressed it is important that as soon as he/she shows signs of any illness that it is seen by a veterinarian.
Cats should never be euthanased solely on the basis of an FIV-positive test result. Cats infected with FIV may live as long as uninfected cats, with appropriate management. Asymptomatic FIV-infected cats should be neutered to avoid fighting and virus transmission.
Infected cats should receive regular veterinary health checks. They can be housed in the same ward as other patients, but should be kept in individual cages.
Premium diets are recommended to ensure optimum nutrition and it is very important to ensure maintaining excellent preventative health such as regular worming, vaccination and flea control. It is also recommended to keep your FIV positive cat indoors only to prevent contracting any diseases from other cats, to prevent spreading the FIV virus to your neighbour’s cats, and it will also save wildlife if your cat hunts.
The most common disease syndrome seen in FIV cats is gingivitis and stomatitis which means inflammation of the gums and mouth. Excellent dental health care is very important in these patients to prevent pain and a decline in appetite.
Other diseases that are less commonly seen secondary to FIV infection include persistent and recurrent upper respiratory infections, neurological disease and tumours.
Anti-viral medications: There are a number of anti-viral medications used to treat humans with HIV. There have been some reports of success with use in FIV cats, although there is a risk of some severe side effects including bone marrow suppression, and these drugs are fairly costly to use long term. Your vet can help determine whether anti-viral drugs are suitable for your cat.
Prevention
Vaccination is an option that is suitable for some owners to try and prevent their cat becoming infected with FIV. The vaccination needs to be given 3 times at 2 weekly intervals (6 weeks in total). However the vaccination only covers for 2 strains of the virus and offers approximately 82% protection. We generally only recommend the vaccination for high risk cats, that is, cats that fight despite their owners’ best efforts.
Prognosis
Cats that are diagnosed with FIV early in the course of the disease can often live a relatively full & healthy life; in fact some studies have suggested that cats with FIV are more likely to die from a car accident than from the effects of FIV!
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if any further questions.
Our Midland & Drovers Vet Hospitals are both accredited ISFM Cat Friendly Clinics.
The Cat Friendly Clinic programme is an internationally recognised assessment accreditation scheme which is open to any veterinary practice that cares for feline patients. There are certain requirements regarding design, equipment and facilities within the clinic, which must be met to achieve the standard. The clinic must also demonstrate that a high quality of care is provided to cats and that all staff understand cats and their needs in a clinic.
The benefit to the clinic is that not only will the scheme help to improve the clinical care of feline patients but may also increase the number of clients who are actively seeking a cat friendly clinic for their pet.