FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS    (FIV)

General Information:

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a common and destructive cat viruses. It is highly contagious and is spread primarily by saliva from bites during cat fights and/or mating. The virus is also spread by blood, urine and feces. Kittens may become infected while still in the womb, when the mother bites off the umbilical cord or during nursing.

Exposed cats fall into one of four categories or stages:

1. Asymptomatic carriers- These cats are infected with the virus, carry and possible spread it without showing outward sign of illness. It may take up to several years for them to progress to the subsequent stages.
2. Persistent infection with Lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes)- These cats show possible clinical signs of poor hair coat, weight loss, fever, lymphadenopathy and behavioral changes. Approximately 30% of all FIV positive cats present in this stage of the disease.
3. Pre-AIDS syndrome- These cats show signs that relate to a suppressed immune system. Secondary bacteria more easily invade and establish infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, oral cavity and other sites. Approximately 30% of all FIV positive cats present in this stage of the disease.
4. AIDS syndrome- Approximately 10% of all positive cats fall into this stage. These cats tend to present to our office with disease or infections related from a completely failing immune system. Severe bacterial and fungal infections, other viral infections (like FeLV), associated cancers, etc.

The average survival time for FIV infected cats ranges from 12 to 24 months.

Illness:

There are no signs specific for FIV infection. The main effect of the virus is to disrupt the cat's immune system. While anemia is the most common disorder caused by the virus, cancer and various other diseases are common. Disorders commonly associated with FIV infection include: chronic respiratory disease; chronic infection of the mouth, gums and tongue; chronic eye disease; frequent or chronic skin disease; reproductive disease (abortion, stillbirths and kitten deaths); frequent or chronic urinary tract infections; chronic digestive tract disease; and other systemic diseases (infectious peritonitis, hemobartonellosis, toxoplasmosis, polyarthritis).

Prevention:

Presently there is a vaccine available however currently there is not test which differentiates vaccine antibodies from those cause by the natural infection.

Important Facts:

* Infected cats are at high risk for developing cancer or other life-threatening disease.

* Indoor cats are at low risk for developing FIV infection.

* Outdoor cats are at high risk for developing FIV infection.

* Currently, there is no uniformly effective treatment for cats infected with FIV.

* Currently, there is no evidence that handling an FIV-positive cat poses any public health concerns.

Recommendations:

The use of immunostimulants (immunoregulin) has become popular as one potential treatment means. This drug is used to boost the animals immune system and therefore help him/her fight off offending secondary infections and possibly kill some of the viral particles themselves.

One must remember that immunostimulants are not a cure only an aid.

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