FIV (also known as feline immunodeficiency virus or feline AIDS) is a virus that affects cats only. It is similar in action to the human HIV/AIDS disease but not transmissible to humans.
In the last few months a number of cats in the area have been tested for FIV, and a significant number have returned positive results. So, what is FIV and how does it relate to your cat?
FIV is transmitted from cat to cat most commonly by fighting and biting, and less commonly to young kittens through an infected mother. This means outside roaming cats are most at risk, as there are a high number of feral, stray and roaming cats in the surrounding areas. Following infection cats may be slightly off colour with a fever for several weeks. This is followed by a latent period where there are no signs of disease. This period can be as little as 3 months or last up to 10 years. Eventually, the virus will suppress the immune system, allowing other viruses and diseases to infect your cat. Signs that may be seen in the later stages of disease vary widely and depend on the secondary diseases contracted. Clinical signs may vary from poor condition and hair coat, fever, sores in and around the mouth, eye problems to chronic or ongoing infections to tumours. Infections can affect any body system and specific signs will depend on the organs affected.
Because of the wide range of signs shown by FIV positive cats, the easiest way to diagnose FIV is by a screening blood test. This shows exposure to the virus; however a positive result is not a death sentence; cats in the latent disease period showing no signs will also be positive. Once positive, an affected cat will be INFECTIVE TO OTHER CATS, and will be capable of spreading disease through fighting.
There is no treatment for FIV itself; once a cat is infected, it is infected for life, and most cats die eventually from a complicating or secondary infection. Treatment relies on identifying and treating secondary diseases quickly and effectively, before complications develop. Keeping up to date with vaccinations, identifying abscesses promptly, and maintaining dental health are an important part of managing the FIV positive cat.
There is now a vaccine available to protect cats against FIV; any cat that is at risk of exposure to FIV (i.e. an outside cat or cats living in a multi-cat household) should be vaccinated. Prevention involves testing cats to ensure they do not already carry the virus; then vaccinating with an initial course of vaccinations followed by yearly boosters. These can be given at the same time as the regular F4 vaccinations, or individually.
No vaccination is 100% effective, so taking steps to reduce the risk of fighting is advisable. Keeping cats indoors, particularly from dusk until dawn, will reduce the chance of fighting behaviour. Introducing new cats slowly to a household, as well as testing and vaccinating new arrivals will reduce the chance of infection.
It is recommended to have your cat tested and vaccinated at their next visit, or ask your veterinarian for further information.