It is important that the FIV status of all cats be determined when they are first acquired, if they become ill, and regularly if they have any risk of exposure. The severity of these illnesses can vary greatly, but once cats become ill with multiple critical infections or cancers, survival time is usually no more than a few months. Weight loss, seizures, behavioral changes and neurological disorders are all possible. Inflammation of the gums and severe dental disease, known as gingivostomatitis, is common in cats infected with FIV, and they are significantly more likely to develop cancer and immune-mediated blood disorders than healthy cats. Cats may develop chronic or recurrent infections of the skin, eyes, urinary tract, or upper respiratory tract. Most illness related to FIV is not from the virus itself, but from these secondary infections or problems with the immune system. Some cats will remain in this stage and never progress to more severe disease.Īs the virus continues to spread through the immune system, cats will enter a progressive immunocompromised state during which secondary infections may occur. Infected cats may exhibit blood work abnormalities, such as low white blood cell levels or increased blood proteins. During this time, the virus replicates very slowly within the cells of the immune system, and cats will not show any outward signs of illness. This phase of infection may be very mild and is often missed by owners or attributed to other causes of fever.įollowing the acute phase, cats will enter an asymptomatic phase, which may last for months to multiple years. The virus then spreads to other lymph nodes throughout the body, resulting in temporary lymph node enlargement that is often accompanied by fever, depression, and lack of appetite. At this time, the virus is carried to lymph nodes, where it reproduces in white blood cells known as T-lymphocytes. The acute phase of infection generally occurs 1-3 months after infection. There are three phases of infection with FIV - the acute phase, the asymptomatic (or latent) phase, and the progressive phase. There is currently no vaccine commercially available in North America to protect against FIV, so the best way to reduce risk is to limit contact with cats who may be infected with the disease by keeping cats indoors and testing all cats within the household. Because FIV is transmitted through bite wounds, un-neutered male cats with outdoor access, especially those who are likely to fight with other cats, are at the greatest risk for FIV infection. Rates are significantly higher (15 percent or more) in cats that are sick or at high risk of infection. In North America, approximately 2.5-5% percent of healthy cats are infected with FIV. Sexual contact is not a significant means of spreading FIV among cats.įIV-infected cats exist worldwide, but the prevalence of infection varies greatly. However, if the mother becomes infected with FIV during her pregnancy, the transmission risk to the kittens is increased. Only on rare occasions, an infected mother cat may transmit the infection to her kittens. As a result, cats in households with stable social structures where housemates do not fight are at little risk of acquiring FIV infections. Casual, non-aggressive contact, such as sharing water bowls or mutual grooming, does not appear to be an efficient route of spreading the virus. The primary mode of transmission for FIV is through bite wounds from an infected cat. Though there is no cure for FIV, recent studies suggest that cats with FIV commonly live average life spans, as long as they are not also infected with feline leukemia virus. Although cats infected with FIV may appear normal for years, they eventually suffer from immune deficiency, which allows normally harmless bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi found in the everyday environment to potentially cause severe illnesses. In infected cats, FIV attacks the immune system, leaving the cat vulnerable to many other infections. Lung Ailments: A Widespread Source of Feline Woeįeline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is one of the most common and consequential infectious diseases of cats around the world. A sk Elizabeth: Can I catch FIV from my cat?įeline Vision Problems: A Host of Possible Causes
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