Emilee Brewer
FIV is the feline immunodeficiency virus, the cat version of HIV. Unfortunately, it is one of the most common infectious diseases of cats worldwide. Just like HIV does in humans, FIV attacks the immune system, which opens the cat up to predatory diseases like cancer. Even a cold could be harmful to a cat infected with FIV.
FIV is primarily spread through a bite from another infected cat. Studies have shown that sharing water and food bowls or community grooming is not an efficient way to spread the disease, so if you have multiple cats who don’t fight, the risk of transmission is low! Studies have even shown that, unlike HIV, sexual contact is also not an efficient means of transmitting FIV. However, there is a risk of transmission from the mama cat to her kittens if she contracts FIV while pregnant.
FIV-infected cats are all over the world. According to Cornell, in North America, approximately 2.5%-5% of healthy cats get infected. The group with the highest risk of contracting FIV is unaltered, outdoor male cats. These guys tend to be more aggressive than their fixed indoor counterparts, so they’re more likely to get in a fight and contract FIV. The best prevention is to make sure your cat is fixed and kept indoors or monitor their outside time so there’s no risk of them joining their local fight club.
So what signs should you be watching for? Well, there are three phases of infection - the acute phase, the asymptomatic or latent phase, and the progressive phase. The acute phase is within the first 1-3 months of infection. This is when the infection spreads through the body. It starts in the lymph nodes, where it reproduces in white blood cells and spreads to other lymph nodes. The lymph nodes then become enlarged and are accompanied by a lack of appetite, depression, and fever. This stage is usually missed because the owner attributes the ailments to another condition.
After the acute stage is the latent stage. The cat does not show any other signs of sickness during this time. Blood tests may show low white blood cell count or increased blood protein, but that’s about it. During this stage, the virus replicates slowly in the cells of the immune system. Some cats are lucky and remain in this stage and never progress to the more severe stage.
The final stage is the progressive stage, and this is the most dangerous. This is when secondary infections occur. The virus itself doesn’t necessarily harm the cat, it’s the fact that the immune system has been so thoroughly damaged that a secondary infection can cause a lot of problems. What should be a simple cough can very easily turn into pneumonia. The cat may develop chronic infections of the skin, eyes, gums, urinary tract, or upper respiratory tract. FIV-positive cats are much more likely to develop cancer and blood disorders as well. They may experience weight loss, seizures, behavioral changes, and even have neurological issues. While the severity of the illness differs from cat to cat, once the animal becomes ill with multiple critical infections, the survival time is usually only a few months.
When you get a new cat, it’s important to get them tested immediately for FIV so you can protect them and other kitties. When the cat gets infected, its body produces antibodies to help fight the disease, and these antibodies will persist through the cat’s life. Blood tests are run to check for these antibodies and, depending on the test, can be done right in the vet’s office. Now, there is a possibility of a false negative. The body doesn’t start producing enough antibodies to be detected until the virus has been present for about 2-6 months. It’s recommended that the cat be retested in 60 days if there is a risk of exposure, just to be sure the cat is truly negative for FIV. The only other time a false negative is possible is when the cat is in the progressive stage and the body has stopped producing antibodies because it’s become so weakened from the virus. Conversely, there is a chance of a false positive. If a momma cat is infected, she can transfer the antibodies to the kittens when they’re born. The chance of the virus fully developing is low, so you want to get the kittens retested after 60 days to ensure they are actually negative.
Unfortunately, much like HIV, there is no cure for FIV. There aren’t even vaccines. There used to be a vaccine for FIV, but it proved to have limited effectiveness and was subsequently stopped in 2016. Treatment for FIV is limited. Generally, it’s recommended to keep a positive-cat indoors to prevent the risk of them contracting other infectious diseases. Additionally, give them nutritious, healthy food and avoid raw foods that could potentially have pathogens. Finally, regular check-ups are a must! FIV-positive cats more easily contract other harmful diseases, so catching early warning signs can help prevent diseases from compounding and shortening your furry friend’s life.
Receiving a diagnosis for FIV can feel devastating, but there is good news! Studies how shown that cats with FIV can live long, happy lives and often have the same lifespan as their FIV-negative counterparts. Humane euthanasia is not typically needed unless the cat is in the progressive stage and the prognosis is less than favorable. This is typically when the cat has experienced multiple severe illnesses or a persistent fever and weight loss. Always consider the animal’s quality of life! You also don’t need to worry about contracting the virus from your cat. Although FIV is similar to HIV, it is species-specific, so there is no risk of transmission to yourself or other humans.
FIV-positive cats are still worthy of love and companionship. They can live long lives full of snuggles and making biscuits!