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Feline Immunodeficiencey Virus (FIV)
What is FIV?
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is the cat equivalent of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Like HIV in humans, cats infected with FIV will eventually be affected by a reduced ability to fight off infections due to an impaired immune system and will develop a condition known as cat AIDS.
Can I become infected with FIV from my Cat?
FIV is not transmitted from cats to humans.
How can my Cat become infected with FIV?
Cats are infected most commonly through biting as the virus is present in saliva. FIV is not usually apread from mother to kitten or through sexual contact although biting may accompany sexual contact.
What Cats are at risk?
The likelihood of contracting FIV increases with age. Adult, free roaming, male cats and feral cats are the highest risk groups for FIV infection because they are territorial and fight with other cats.
How common is FIV?
Two Australian studies on the level of FIV infection in sick cats fopund rates of 29% and 28% respectively. In the healthy cat population the rate of FIV infection is expected to be considerably lower.
Can FIV be cured?
Unfortunately, FIV and the resultant cat AIDS are currently incurable. Like HIV in humans, prevention is the only way to avoid contracting the virus, as there is no vaccine currently available.
Can I protect my Cat from FIV?
Yes. The most effective way to protect your cat is to keep it indoors to avoid contact with other potentially infected cats. Also, male cats can be neutered. This reduces their urge to be territorial and fight.
What are the signs of FIV infection?
Cats can remain reasonably healthy after infection for different amounts of time. You may not even suspect that your cat has been infected. Eventually, however, cats infects with FIV will show a range of symptoms including:
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite and weight loss
- Mouth and gum disease
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Respiratory, urinary and skin infections
How can I tell if my Cat has FIV?
A Veterinarian will usually look at a cats history first and then its clinical signs before performing a FIV antibody test. For example, a frequently or persistently sick adult male cat would be regarded as having a high probability of being affected with FIV and would warrant having an FIV antibody test. The only way to definitely daignose FIV is to perform an FIV antibody test. A simple and rapid blood test to dtect antibodies to the FIV infection is now available. A positive FIV test indicates that the cat is infected an can pass the infection onto other cats.