FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV)

“FIV” stands for “feline immunodeficiency virus” just as “HIV” stands for “human immunodeficiency virus.” In fact, these two viruses are closely related and much of the general information that has become common knowledge for HIV also holds true for FIV. FIV is a virus that causes AIDS in cats. There is a long asymptomatic period before AIDS occurs and our job is to prolong this asymptomatic period. The average life expectancy from the time of diagnosis for FIV is 5 years.

Although FIV is very similar to the human AIDS virus (destroying the immune system leaving the animal susceptible to infections), humans cannot contract Feline AIDS (FIV) from infected cats. FIV is a “cats-only” infection.

FIV preferentially infects white blood cells which are an essential part of a cat's immune system. The virus disables or destroys the white blood cells, and leaves its host susceptible to infections. Once a cat is infected with FIV it is infected for life and can transmit the virus if it bites another cat. One of the most prevalent methods of transmission is bite wounds in fighting cats, especially roaming males. Kittens can possibly pick up the virus in the uterus and while nursing.

For a lengthy description of this virus and an FAQ, we recommend the Cornell Feline Health Center Web site at:

web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/fiv.html

Also helpful is the American Association of Feline Practitioners sponsored site at:

www.fivtest.com/aboutFIV/index.cfm

Once the cat has been infected, FIV can then progress to feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (feline AIDS) suppressing the immune system similar to that seen in the human AIDS virus. As a result an infected cat may show no signs of disease for months to years after being infected.

Later it may develop a fever, enlarged lymph nodes, loss of appetite, diarrhea, ear and skin infections, lethargy, fever, poor hair coat, chronic oral infection of gums, cheeks, or tongue, slow wound healing, weight loss, inappetance, upper respiratory tract infections, and eye lesions such as glaucoma. Neurological signs such as behavioral changes, weakness and in-coordination/ wobbly gait are seen late in the course of the disease and lymphomas, leukemia, and squamous cell carcinoma may occur. Diseases of internal organs like the liver, kidneys, brain, lung, and eyes are also associated with FIV due to its immunosuppressive nature. Eventually the immune system becomes too weak to fight off other infections. As a result, the cat will die from one of these subsequent infections.


Chronic oral infection of gums

Most of the time FIV infection is discovered using a screening test performed in your veterinarian’s office or on a blood panel run at your veterinarian’s reference laboratory. Once a cat has been identified as positive by a screening test, a follow-up confirming test called a “Western Blot” test can be done to confirm the diagnosis. Once this test is positive, the cat is considered to be truly infected.

Below is an example of an Felv/FIV snap-test. The 2 blue dots indicate a positive FIV test on this in-house test.

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It should be noted that administration of the new vaccine recently released for commercial use will cause a cat to test positive on both of the above tests. We do not currently have a test that will distinguish a vaccinated cat from a truly positive cat.

Our hospital is not currently recommending this vaccine. Vaccination against FIV is now available, but, there is some controversy as to its use. There are several concerns among the veterinary community. We are not sure about the protection afforded by the vaccine, cats vaccinated will show a positive response to the test for FIV, and we are concerned about adverse reactions to the vaccine such as injection site related cancers (sarcomas).

The major route of virus transmission is by the deep bite wounds that occur during fighting. There are other means of spreading the virus, but they are less common. Mother cats can infect their kittens in the initial stages of infection. FIV can be transmitted sexually and via improperly screened blood transfusions. FIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact such as sharing food bowls, grooming or snuggling.




You can reduce your cats’ exposure to FIV by following these steps:

1. Limit indoor cats’ contact with outdoor cats.
   
   
2. Only introduce new kittens into your household if they are healthy, free of internal & external parasites, and are current on their vaccines.
   
   
3. Test new cats entering the household for the Felv/FIV.
   
   
4. Minimize the chance of fights between your cats by isolating aggressive cats and closely monitoring new cats in your household.
   
   
5. Neuter male cats to reduce fighting.
   
   

There is no medication that will kill the FIV virus. Treatment is aimed at keeping the immune system as strong as possible and utilizing medication as needed. Fortunately, the disease progresses slowly, and cats can remain healthy for several years after being positively diagnoses. FIV positive cats that are not showing any of the associated signs of illness should be examined every 6 months at least. Routine blood panels, parasite checks, and urine samples should also be performed every 6 months.

Some lifestyle changes will probably be needed now that you know you have an FIV+ cat.

• KEEP YOUR CAT INDOORS ONLY
  Now that you know your cat has an infectious disease, the responsible thing is to prevent the spread of this disease in your community. This means that your cat will need to begin life as an indoor cat. Cats who are used to living outdoors will want to go outside. It is crucial that you do not give in to their requests, as this will simply reinforce the requests. If you just ignore the meowing, it will cease and the cat will get used to its new indoor only life.
  
  Cats who are inclined to slip past people entering the home when the door is open can be managed by leaving them in a closed room when someone is out of the house. This way, when the person arrives home, the cat does not have access to the front door.
  
  
• NO RAW FOODS
  There are currently numerous fad diets involving raw foods for pets. It is crucial that one not succumb to these popular recommendations when it comes to the FIV+ cat. Uncooked foods, meats especially, can include parasites and pathogens that a cat with a normal immune system might be able to handle but an FIV+ cat might not. Stick to the major reputable cat food brands.
  
  
• VACCINATION
  Vaccination should be continued for these cats just as they are for other cats.
  
  
• PARASITE CONTROL
  The last thing an FIV+ cat needs is fleas, worms or mites, especially now that he is going to be an indoor cat. There are numerous effective products on the market for parasite control. Consult with your vet about which parasites you should be especially concerned with and which product is right for you.
  
  

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• IMMUNE STIMULATING AGENTS
  There are numerous products on the market claiming to stimulate the immune system of the FIV+ cat. These include Acemannan, levamisole, Immunoregulin®, and Interferon Alpha. None of these products have been shown definitively to be helpful though it appears that they certainly do not do any harm.
  
  
• GENERAL MONITORING
  While a non-geriatric FIV- cat should have an annual examination, the FIV+ cat should have a check-up twice a year. We recommend an annual full blood panel and urinalysis . Also, it is important to be vigilant of any changes in the FIV+ cat. Small changes that one might not think would be significant in an FIV- cat, should probably be thoroughly explored in an FIV+ cat.
  
  

Treatment of FIV revolves around the organ or organs that are most affected. This means we routinely will use antibiotics and immune stimulators. Gum and mouth infections are treated by keeping the teeth clean and the use of oral antibiotics. As with any disease, good nutrition, routine preventive medical care, along with plenty of TLC, are mandatory for a good quality of life.

THE FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS IS NOT TRANSMISSIBLE TO HUMANS IN ANY WAY.

AZT (brand name Retrovir®) is a prominent antiviral medication for the treatment of human HIV infection. Tests in FIV+ cats indicate that those with either neurologic signs or with stomatitis (oral inflammation) may benefit most. At this time at least (in cats), AZT seems to be something to save for when symptoms of viral infection appear. There are some bone marrow issues with red blood production and some periodic monitoring tests are advisable. If problems arise, fortunately, they are reversible and should resolve with a few days of discontinuing medication.

Drugs other than AZT seem to have more potential for toxicity and are not recommended for feline use.

Immune-suppressed cats and immune-suppressed owners do not mix well. Those who are immune suppressed, be they human or non-human, are inclined to become infected with opportunistic organisms and in turn shed larger numbers of those organisms than one might naturally come into contact with in the environment. This means that someone who is immune-suppressed (human or not) can serve as an amplifier for infectious agents. An immune-suppressed cat can increase an immune-suppressed human’s exposure to infectious agents and vice versa. This is obviously not a good situation. The same is true for multiple immune-suppressed cats living together. If possible, there should be only one immune-suppressed individual per home.