I.The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV, is a Retrovirus. It is similar to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and to FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), which are also Retroviruses. Even though it is similar to HIV, there is no evidence at this time that FIV can infect humans. It appears to be species specific. The virus is found worldwide and can also infect exotic cats such as panthers and cheetahs. FIV infection is most commonly spread through biting. Mutual grooming and sharing food and water dishes or litter boxes is much less likely to spread the infection. Kittens can get FIV from their mother either before they are born or while nursing, but this does not happen very often. Kittens can, however, get antibodies to FIV from their infected mother while nursing. After a cat is exposed to FIV through a bite wound, the virus multiplies in lymph nodes, lymphocytes (white blood cells), and salivary glands and spreads throughout the body. This is the primary phase of infection. During this time, the cat may have a fever and swollen lymph nodes or other nonspecific signs that may go unnoticed. After the primary phase of infection, there is a latent period of infection which may last for years. During this time, the cat will not seem sick at all. However, the virus is still present and it is still replicating in the body. The virus replicates in many different types of cells. This causes a progressive decline in the immune function of the cat. Eventually, the cat may show symptoms of disease that are directly related to the FIV virus. Because the virus has affected the cat’s immune system, it is not functioning normally and the cat is much more susceptible to other infections and diseases and may also show signs associated with infection by other bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. To help in understanding and treating the disease, some people have classified the stages of the infection. These stages are similar to those of HIV in people and include:

• Primary phase


• Latent or Asymptomatic Phase


• AIDS related complex


• AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The middle two stages can last for years in some cats. Not all cats will experience all stages, either. There is no clear understanding at this time of why some cats live for years asymptomatically and others more rapidly become ill.

II.What to Watch for at Home – Symptoms

Because FIV affects the function of the immune system and can be found in many tissues of the body, many body systems are affected. Some of the symptoms that may be present include:

• Fever and enlarged lymph nodes during the primary phase of infection

During the last four phases of infection, the symptoms might include:

• Enlarged lymph nodes


• Lack of appetite


• Diarrhea


• Weight loss


• Inflammation and sores in the mouth (stomatitis)


• Chronic or recurrent skin and ear infections


• Chronic respiratory infections


• Chronic urinary tract infections


• Kidney failure


• Infection and inflammation of the eyes


• Changes in behavior


• Seizures


• Cancer or tumors


• Late in disease, severe weight loss may occur even if the cat is eating normally and no diarrhea or cancer is present.

III.The Veterinary Visit – How to Tell if a Cat Has an FIV Infection

FIV is diagnosed with a blood test. There are several different tests available which look for antibodies to FIV. In the veterinarians office andELISA test is most commonly used. A small sample of blood is drawn and results are available in ten to fifteen minutes.

Kittens can have antibodies to FIV that they got from their mother during nursing until they are twelve to fourteen weeks old. Kittens that test positive before they are fourteen weeks old should be retested again after they are fourteen weeks old. Adult cats will usually test positive to FIV within two to four weeks after they are exposed.

Because false positive results can occur with an ELISA test, a positive result should be confirmed by sending out a blood sample to another laboratory. The best test to confirm a positive ELISA test is a Western blot immunoassay, but an IFA test can also be used. Cats that test positive on and ELISA test and the confirmatory test are infected with FIV for life.

Because cats with FIV can have many other conditions as well, other tests might be necessary. These include:

• Complete Blood Count, Biochemical Profile and Urine Analysis. Common findings on these tests might include a low red blood cell count (anemia), low white blood cell count (neutropenia), low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), renal failure, high protein level, or a urinary tract infection.


• Blood tests for Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus. Because FIV suppresses the immune system, infections with these other viruses may occur at the same time as infection with FIV.


• Blood tests for other fungal or protozoal infections such as Toxoplasmosis.


• Fecal tests for intestinal parasites.


• Skin scrapings to look for mites such as Demodex cati or Notoedres cati.


• X-Rays and Ultrasound of the chest and abdomen to look for evidence of cancer or tumors


• Bone Marrow Aspirate or Biopsy. This test may help to determine the cause of anemia or neutropenia or help to diagnose some kinds of leukemia.

IV.Treatment

There are currently no known treatments that have been proven to be effective in fighting FIV infection in cats that appear healthy. For cats that have symptoms associated with an FIV infection, there are some treatments that have been tried. They include:

• Interferon-α, which may help to prevent the release of new virus particles from cells.


• Staphylococcus A, which helps to stimulate lymphocyte (white blood cell) activity and improves the function of the immune system


• Propionibacterium acnes, which helps to stimulate and improve the function of the immune system


• Acemannan, which stimulates immune function


• AZT, which helps to prevent the virus from replicating

Interferon-α, Staphylococcus A, Propionibacterium acnes and Acemannan work by stimulating the immune system and helping the cat to feel better. They may take four to six weeks to work. AZT may help to buy some time for other therapies to work in critically ill cats, however, it does not clear the virus in most cats. AZT can also cause severe side effects and should only be used cautiously in critically ill cats.

In addition to treatments directed at the FIV virus, it is important to treat any other medical condition that the cat has. Antibiotics, antifungals or other medications will be needed to fight infections and may need to be given longer than normal because of the decreased ability of the immune system to fight infection. Chemotherapy or other cancer therapy may be needed if tumors are present.

At home, it is important to provide high quality food. A prescription diet from the veterinarian may be necessary if chronic renal failure is present. Vitamin supplements and antioxidants have not been shown to help but will not hurt and may provide some benefit. For cats that continue to lose weight, high calorie nutritional supplements may be necessary to get extra calories into them. Regular check-ups and follow-up visits with the veterinarian can help diagnose and treat any infections or other problems that arise earlier so that they might be easier to manage. Many cats with FIV can live for several months to years after they are diagnosed. Early and aggressive treatment of any secondary bacterial, viral, or parasitic diseases is one of the keys to managing cats with FIV.

FIV positive cats should not be allowed to go outside to prevent the spread of the infection to other cats and also to help prevent them from being exposed to other diseases. Good flea control should be practiced to prevent the cat from getting any diseases that are carried by fleas. Flea control should be used even if the cat is indoors only. FIV positive cats should not be allowed to eat raw meat or eggs as these can carry bacteria that might cause a serious problem for a cat with FIV. FIV cats should not be allowed to hunt for this same reason.

V.Prevention

The best way to prevent infection with FIV is to prevent exposure to the virus. Some important things that should be done to prevent exposure include:

• Keep all cats indoors and prevent them from fighting


• Test all new cats and kittens before introducing them into a house


• If FIV positive and negative cats share a household, wash food dishes, water dishes and litter boxes frequently with scalding water to kill the virus. Do not allow the cats to fight or bite one another and have all cats tested for FIV yearly.


• All FIV positive cats should be spayed or neutered.


• Kittens should not be allowed to nurse from an FIV infected queen.

There is a vaccine available against FIV, however, cats that are vaccinated will test positive for FIV. For this reason, only at risk cats should be vaccinated. Cats that are vaccinated should have permanent identification, such as a microchip, so that their owners can be easily contacted should the cat end up at a shelter. Shelters usually test for FIV and will frequently euthanize FIV positive cats.

The video below is long but contains a very important and indepth discussion of FIV