FELINE AIDS (FIV)
Feline Immune Deficiency Virus
The feline virus called FIV is very similar to the Human AIDS virus. About 5-10% of cats are carriers for the disease, depending on the geographical region and the lifestyle of the cat. Stray cats or barn cats are much more likely to carry the disease than indoor house cats, but any cat is a potential carrier.
Some current information regarding FIV:
There is no evidence to indicate that the disease is transmittable to humans. Cat owners should not be concerned that their cats could expose them to human AIDS.
The disease is predominantly seen in older cats (unlike the feline leukemia virus) and blood samples from all over the U.S. have tested positive. The disease is “nationwide.” It is spread through intimate inter-cat behaviors such as mutual grooming, mating or fighting.
Although similar to Feline Leukemia Virus, cats infected with FIV do not test positive for leukemia. There is a specific test available to screen for FIV. It is reliable once a kitten is over 12-16 weeks of age and requires only a small amount of blood. This test should be done for all new kittens or cats that enter a household. Not only is it important to know if a new cat or kitten may expose other household cats to the disease, but if the cat or kitten tests positive this will affect all other health care decisions made for the pet. Many humane societies test all shelter cats and kittens for FIV prior to adoption.
Signs of the disease are similar to those in humans suffering from AIDS and include swollen lymph nodes, severe weight loss, diarrhea, respiratory infections, anemia, and parasitic infections. The cat’s entire immune system is suppressed by the virus. This may take many years to show up, however. Cats can harbor the virus for a long time, 7 years or more, before finally starting to show signs of disease. This may be why the disease seems more prevalent in older cats.
Because FIV in cats attacks the same type of blood cells that the human AIDS virus destroys in humans, it is felt that the cat may help provide answers for AIDS research. Unfortunately, also as with human AIDS, there is no cure for FIV and affected cats will eventually die from the disease.
FIV infection should be suspected in any cat that has repeated infections or other health problems, or continually gets in fights with other cats. Cats that go outdoors are at high risk to acquire the disease as they come in contact with other cats who may be ill or carrying the virus. Since there is no vaccine available for this infection, the best protection is to keep your cat indoors or strictly supervised when he is outside, to prevent contact with stray cats. Since mating is a primary means of spread of the disease your cat should be spayed or neutered if it goes outdoors as well.
Immune stimulant drugs such as Interferon are thought to help strengthen the immune system and help delay signs of disease. Human Interferon can be formulated for use in cats and is inexpensive and easy to administer. Because of the expense and difficulty in studying treatments of the disease in cats, there is very little knowledge about the safety or efficacy for cats of the newer medications that help human AIDS patients live longer, healthier lives.
