FIV is a virus that reduces the effectiveness of a cat’s immune system by reducing the number of white blood cells. This lack of white blood cells makes it much harder for a cat to fight off infection.
The virus is transmitted through the blood and saliva of infected cats. Because of this it is usually spread through fighting, where the saliva of an infected cat enters the bloodstream of an uninfected cat through a bite. 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. FIV can not be spread through sharing feed/water bowls, litter trays or bedding with other cats in the house.
Symptoms
Cats that are infected with FIV can show many different clinical signs. These can include gingivitis (severe inflammation of the gums), discharge from the eyes & nose, neurological signs, eye diseases or a fever
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is by a specific blood test for antibodies to the FIV virus.
Treatment
There is currently no known cure for FIV, and 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.
Premium diets (e.g. Eukanuba) 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 less commonly seen secondary to FIV 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.
