Mission Animal Clinic and Feline Aids (FIV)

Located in the San Fernando Valley, 16907 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Granada Hills Ca, 818-363-8143

 

 

 

FELINE AIDS (FIV)

(Feline Immune Deficiency Virus) 

A new feline virus has been discovered that is very similar to the Human AIDS virus.

 

Some current information regarding FIV:

 

1.      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.

 

2.      The disease is predominantly seen in older cats (unlike the leukemia virus) and blood samples from all over the U.S. have tested positive.  The disease is “nationwide.”

 

3.      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 and requires only a small amount of blood.

 

4.      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.

 

5.      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.

 

6.       FIV infection should be suspected in any cat that has repeated infections or continually gets in fights with other cats.

FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

  The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is also called the Feline AIDS Virus.  It is NOT the same virus as that causing human HIV.  It is called “AIDS” in the cat because of its similarities in how it affects the cat as compared to the human virus.  Most all viruses are “host specific” which means they do not infect more than one species of animal (including man).  The AIDS virus affects only humans and the FIV virus affects ONLY cats!

 

FIV in cats is spread through cat fight bites.  Other contact, such as eating or drinking out of the same bowl has not been shown to transmit the disease.

 

A diagnosis is made with a blood test.  A positive test means the cat has been EXPOSED to the virus and will likely be infected for the remainder of its life.  A negative cat means either the cat has not been exposed, or that exposure has occurred so recently that antibodies have not had time to develop in the cat after exposure.  As a rule, it requires 4-6 weeks for the cat to develop an antibody level after exposure that can be detected using the blood test.

 

TESTING KITTENS.  The test is not accurate in kittens under 4-6 months of age.  A positive antibody test result in younger kittens simply means it is detecting antibody in the kitten’s blood that it received from its mother while nursing.  Any positive test performed on pets less than 6 months of age should have a confirmation test performed at 6 months of age or older.  If that second test is also positive, then it can be assumed the kitten is infected.  If the second test is negative, there is nothing to worry about.

 

Clinical signs may not develop for long periods of time after exposure—up to 6 years.  For this reason, the disease is most often diagnosed in the older adult pet.

 

Clinical signs usually are simply a failure to respond to treatment for other conditions.  Severe gum infections and respiratory infections are common.  Cats that are “poor-doers” are common.  Treatment-resistant diarrhea is sometimes seen.

 

THERE IS NO CURE FOR FELINE AIDS.  There are, however, newer medications that can be used to boost the cat’s immune system helping prolong its quality life.  However, the virus will remain in the cat and often reappears at a later time.

 

FIV positive cats should not come in contact with other cats to minimize the spread of the disease.  Euthanasia of a positive cat is NOT NECESSARY as long as the cat is kept in the house and as stress-free as possible to minimize the chances of another infection developing to which the cat will not be able to respond due to FIV infection. 

 

The prognosis is NOT GOOD for the long-term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16907 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Granada Hills, Ca. 91344 818-363-8143

 

 

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