FIV - Basic Information

This virus is the feline equivalent of the human AIDS as it's a disease that affects the immune system, but unlike in humans FIV is not contracted through sexual activity but saliva.

In the UK the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is not vaccinated against like it is in the US. A possible reason for this is that the vaccine uses FIV antibodies so cats that have been vaccinated against this disease will show positive for FIV in usual tests done at the vets. These tests include the ELISA which is a type of blood test allowing the result to be read in 10 minutes. If your cat has this condition you should continue to vaccinate against other diseases.

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If you're cat has FIV has shown severe symptoms then prognosis is can be very poor but if the disease is caught early treatment is effective and can improve symptoms for some time but not indefinitely. Those cats diagnosed with it but showing no clinical symptoms respond well to treatment and in some cases the live a healthy life for quite a considerable amount of time.

In the UK infection is between 3 -6 % of cats but surveys have shown this to be higher around 12-18%. The disease is normally transmitted through biting. Also it's been shown that those living closely together where there is no obvious aggression also become infected. However it is less likely that the infection is effectively transmitted in this way. Male cats trend to be more at risk and infection can occur at any age. Mothers can also pass it onto their kittens by contact in the birth canal and the mother milk. Symptoms don't always show straight away as there is often a delay between infection and visible symptoms, which is why the disease is seem more often in middle aged and senior cats.

Symptoms of FIV include a constant fever, Stomatitis (dental disease), respiratory, bladder and skin infections, seizures and weight loss. It's important that if you spot these symptoms in your cat you take them to the vet and have them tested so if the results are positive treatment can begin as soon as possible.

If you suspect that your kitty may have contracted this disease then it's important to get them booked into the vets as tested as soon as possible because while there isn't a cure it's much better to catch it earlier than later.

FIV - Basic Information

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