JSPCA
FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV) FACT SHEET
Background
Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a 'cat specific' virus and there is no present evidence to indicate that FIV can infect man. The virus is relatively common amongst stray and
free-ranging cats and once infected, the virus will persist
throughout the cat’s life. Despite having the virus, many cats can remain in good
health, but because the virus causes an immunodeficiency, disease
problems can arise over a period of time in infected cats.
The clinical problems associated
with FIV infection are relatively non-specific and in most cases, clinical
disease is due to problems associated with the immunodeficiency that the
virus eventually creates. Generally,
indication of an immunodeficiency may be multiple persistent clinical
problems or recurrent bouts of disease, common signs of which include
lethargy, loss of appetite, a sore mouth, sickness and diarrhoea, conjunctivitis
and sneezing. Cats with FIV
also have an increased risk of developing tumours and are more susceptible
to other infectious agents that would be of little consequence to healthy
cats.
How
is FIV spread?
FIV
is shed in the saliva, so bite wounds are considered to be the main mode of
transmission. Hence,
entire males carry a higher risk of infection and their free-living
lifestyle will assist with the spread of the virus.
Ingestion of saliva from an infected cat is also an important way
that FIV may be spread amongst the cat population, for example through the
sharing of food and water bowls between an infected cat and a healthy cat.
Blood transfusions can facilitate transmission of the virus.
Testing
The
diagnosis of FIV is usually made by your veterinary surgeon by taking a
blood sample and performing a test that looks for the presence of
circulating anti-FIV antibodies. There are several
FIV testing systems available, including tests that can be performed at the
veterinary practice and more specialised tests that are performed at
specific laboratories. Tests
that enable simultaneous testing for both FIV and FeLV (Feline Leukaemia
Virus) are commonly used
within veterinary practices. Once
a cat has been reliably confirmed positive for FIV, the cat will remain so
for life.
Outlook
for infected cats
The outlook for cats that already
show severe, chronic, multiple signs of disease is poor.
However, if clinical signs have developed recently and are not
severe, there is a reasonable chance of improvement with supportive
treatment, which can be maintained for some time.
Supportive therapy usually consists of antibiotics and antiviral
therapy. Some FIV positive
cats that have shown no clinical signs may remain healthy for long periods
of time.
Vaccination
There is currently no licensed vaccine for FIV in the United Kingdom or the Channel Islands. Healthy FIV-infected cats should continue to be vaccinated against other infectious diseases.
The
cat infected with FIV poses a risk to other cats so in order to prevent it
from transmitting the virus to other cats it should be kept away
from others and not allowed to roam freely outdoors. Isolating healthy FIV infected cats can be beneficial in
protecting them against exposure to other feline infectious agents.
JSPCA
working to
“prevent
cruelty, promote knowledge, provide for aged, sick, lost and unwanted
animals.”
Jersey
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Inc.)
Founded
1868 – Incorporated 1936
89
St Saviour’s Road, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4GJ
Tel:
01534 724331
Fax: 01534 871797
E-mail: info@jspca.org.je Website: www.jspca.org.je
References
and further reading:
The
Cat Group, policy statement 3. www.thecatgroup.org.uk