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Name
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Short Description
Feline Immunodeficiency virus, FIV
Affected Animals: Cats. Outdoor male cats are at increased risk of being infected
by FIV due to territorial fighting.
Overview:
Feline immunodeficiency virus is a disease of
cats that is of the same subfamily of retroviruses as the human HIV
virus. The FIV virus is transmitted in the saliva or blood, commonly
through the bite wound from an infected cat. Once inside the cat's
body, the virus will invade the cells of the cat's immune system,
preventing the cells from performing their vital role of fighting
off infections and diseases. As a result, cats that contract FIV
generally succumb to a wide variety of secondary diseases.
The timetable for when a cat with FIV actually becomes ill from the
infection will vary. Typically, the virus goes into a dormant state
for several years, during which a cat will not show signs of
disease. Once the virus comes out of dormancy, however, the cat most
likely will die from a terminal disease.
Strictly a feline disease, FIV cannot be transmitted to humans.
There is no vaccine currently available for FIV.
Clinical Signs: Cats infected with FIV may have a fever;
lymphadenopathy, or enlarged lymph nodes; anorexia; weight loss;
depression; stomatitis, or ulcers in the mouth; dermatitis, or skin
disorders; conjunctivitis; and any other signs that go along with
specific organ disease. Some cats will show behavioral signs such as
dementia, inappropriate elimination, hiding, and roaming.
Neurological clinical signs can include seizures and ataxia or
problems maintaining balance. Cats with FIV also may develop cancer.
Symptoms:
See clinical signs.
Description:
Although it cannot be transmitted to humans,
feline immunodeficiency virus often has been referred to as "feline
AIDS" because of its similarity to the human immunodeficiency virus,
or HIV. Both viruses impair the ability of the immune system to
function normally, causing infections, cancer, and debilitation.
Cats typically die from complications caused by the virus.
When a cat becomes infected with FIV, the virus begins to replicate
in the immune cells of the body, causing fever and swollen lymph
nodes. After this, FIV goes into a latent or dormant state for
several years, during which time the cat does not show signs of the
disease. After two to ten years, the virus emerges from its dormant
state and causes the clinical signs of terminal disease.
Diagnosis:
Following a thorough medical history and physical
exam, an FIV test can be performed at most veterinary hospitals
using a serology test called an ELISA assay. Using a few drops of
blood, this test detects the presence of antibodies to the virus.
Most veterinarians recommend that the test be conducted on kittens
older than 14 weeks of age.
A false positive is possible in kittens younger than 14 weeks,
because FIV antibodies can be transmitted during nursing from an FIV
positive mother and take time to leave the kitten's system. However,
the virus itself also can be passed by nursing, which is another
reason why kittens should be retested after 14 weeks of age.
Cats that are sick or showing clinical signs of disease will need to
have blood tests done to detect any abnormalities. The virus can
affect organs such as the kidneys and liver, as well as the bone
marrow. Involvement of the bone marrow can cause abnormal
development of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Prognosis: Once cats begin to show signs of serious disease
due to repeated bacterial or viral infections, organ disease, or a
failure to thrive, the life expectancy is a year or less. However,
it may take cats anywhere from two to 10 years before reaching this
stage of the disease. Each cat is different and one cannot predict
how long a cat with FIV will live.
Transmission or Cause: Feline immunodeficiency virus is transmitted
through blood and saliva. Most often, it is spread when an infected
cat bites another cat.
Unneutered, outdoor, male cats that roam and fight with other cats
are at greatest risk for developing FIV because they are more likely
to defend their territory by fighting. Less common routes of
infection include kittens nursing from an FIV positive mother or
viral infection while in the uterus.
Treatment: At this time, there is no treatment that will
eliminate the virus or treat it specifically. Medications that
stimulate the immune system have been used in some cats, which may
improve the quality and duration of the cat's life. Because the
virus can damage the immune system, treatment generally is directed
at controlling any secondary bacterial infections through the use of
antibiotics.
Prevention:
There is no vaccine at this time for the
prevention of FIV. The best prevention therefore is to prevent cats
from possible contact with the virus. General recommendations
include keeping all cats indoors to deter them from fighting with
potential carriers of FIV. New cats should be tested for FIV before
being housed with other cats that do not have the virus. FIV is not
transmitted commonly by casual contact and is destroyed easily by
disinfectants and routine cleaning.
Kittens that are born to FIV infected mothers should not be allowed
to nurse because the virus can be passed through the milk. Also,
they should be tested at 14 weeks of age to check if they were
infected with the virus while in the uterus.
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