Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or FIV is a viral disease transmitted from cat to cat by biting. The disease may also be transmitted from mother cat to her kittens during pregnancy or in the milk after birth. The cats most at risk for becoming infected with FIV are adult male cats allowed outside. Especially at risk are tom cats since they tend to fight. FIV in cats is similar in behavior to HIV in humans. The virus causes immune suppression and a number of clinical signs. The disease generally goes through 3 stages:

1. Acute Stage - the cat first becomes infected

The acute stage occurs 4 to 5 weeks after the cat is infected. Typical signs include lethargy and a fever. For some cats, this will be very mild and go unnoticed.

2. Latent or Silent Phase - the cat ignores the virus

This second stage can last for many years. During this time the cat will have no symptoms and appear healthy. It is not known what causes the disease to leave the quiet phase and begin the next.

3. Chronic Stage - virus wins

This last stage of the disease begins when the virus mounts a new attack on the cat's immune system. These cats are more susceptible to other types of infections such as abscesses or parasites. Infected cats are also more prone to developing gum disease which makes preventive oral health care important.

Eventually, all FIV infected cats die as a result of the immune suppression and overwhelming infection. Early and aggressive treatment of any health problem will help prolong their quantity and quality of life. They should be kept indoors (to protect them and also to prevent further spread of the disease), fed a high quality diet and have routine health exams.

The only way to prevent exposure to FIV is to keep your cat indoors. Any cat/kitten that is added to the household should be tested to ensure it is not carrying the virus before going home.

Points to remember:

• FIV infection is life-long.

• There is no specific treatment.

• There is no preventive vaccine

• Early and aggressive treatment of other infections is important.

• The long-term prognosis is poor.

• The disease is NOT transmissible to people.