Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

A positive result from a Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) test can have a devastating effect to a cat owner. Innumerable questions roil through the mind: How could this have happened? What can I do? How long does he have? I thought he had been vaccinated against FIV. Isn't there some miracle medication he can take?

I can attest to this mental turmoil; my baby , who has shared my life and my heart for 18 years, has just been tested positive for FIV. Shannon has Feline AIDS.

Like most cat lovers, my first instinct is that I want to learn everything possible about the FIV virus, and as the About Cats Guide, my second instinct is that I need to share this information with my readers, in order to help others who find themselves and their cats in this kind of situation. With that thought in mind, I will share my research with you here, so that we can all understand more about this widespread feline virus. Even if your cat has not tested positive for FIV, you need to read this information; it may save you much future grief.

The Diagnosis

In Shannon's case, aside from other symptoms, the fact that his white cell count had dropped significantly during treatment for a severe bladder infection, was an indication for the FIV/FELV blood tests. The initial test was the ELISA, which tests both for FIV antibodies and FeLV. Since there can be false positives with the ELISA test, an initial positive for FIV is followed up by a laboratory test, such as the Western Blot test, which confirms that antibodies to FIV are present in the blood.

The only means for controlling FIV is by testing; there is ¹no current vaccine. At-risk cats (those who go outdoors) should be tested annually. All new cats should be tested before bringing them into the home, but kittens should not be tested before six months, because they can show "false positive" antibodies from the mother cat.

Not a Mandatory Death Sentence

It is important to realize that a positive test for FIV is not a mandatory death sentence. With a high protein diet and aggressive treatment of secondary infections, an FIV-positive cat can lead a reasonably normal life span. Dr. Mike Richards says, "Feline immundeficiency virus infection does not lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in cats as often as human immunodeficiency virus leads to AIDS in people." The largest threat to FIV-positive cats is secondary infections, such as bladder, skin, and upper respiratory infections. Kidney failure is also frequently seen in cats with FIV. These secondary infections should be treated promptly and aggressively in any cat, but especially with an FIV cat.

What is FIV and how is it transmitted?

FIV (Feline Immumodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus in the same family as the human AIDS virus, with a few significant differences. It is estimated that in the United States, 2% of cats are infected with the FIV virus. Saliva to blood (biting) is generally accepted as the primary source of spreading the virus, and it is unlikely (but not impossible) that cats will spread FIV by drinking or eating out of the same food dish, or by mutual grooming. It is not surprising that outdoor cats are particularly susceptible to the virus, and the best way to prevent infection with FIV virus is to ensure that your cat stays indoors only, which eliminates the possibility of contact with FIV cats. Another, less common means of transmission is from the mother cat (Queen) to her kittens during gestation, during birth, or by nursing. There is comfort in the fact that not all FIV queens pass the virus on to their kittens. This phenomenon is not fully understood, but all kittens from FIV mothers should be tested for the FIV antibodies after six months.

What's Next?

If your cat has been diagnosed as FIV-positive, you'll want to work very closely with your veterinarian in designing a management program. For cats with no other symptoms, and otherwise generally good health, this might simply be a matter of ensuring he gets a sound diet, possibly with added vitamins, anti-oxidants, and Omega 3/ Omega 6 fatty acids, as well as prompt, aggressive treatment of infections and other conditions as they crop up. Even flea control is important, as fleas transmit a number of other parasites such as the Haemabartonella. Also, flea bites themselves can become infected, which would be a cause for concern.