What you should know about feline AIDS?
What is feline AIDS?
Feline AIDS is caused by infection with feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV causes a
potentially fatal viral disease that interferes with
the immune system of a cat.
The virus lives in the blood of the infected cat and
is carried in its system throughout its life.
Infected cats may expose healthy cats with which
they come into contact, most often by biting.
Cats infected with FIV may remain healthy for
up to 10 years. While some infected cats show
no sign of disease, others may display initial
symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Swollen lymph nodes
As the disease progresses, symptoms may occur
such as:
- Weight loss
- Sores in and around the mouth
- Eye lesions
- Poor coat
- Chronic infections
Eventually the immune system becomes too
weak to fight off other infections or diseases.
As a result, the cat will die from one of these
subsequent infections.
How prevalent is feline AIDS?
It is reported that between 14% and 29% of cats
in Australia and New Zealand test positive to the
disease.
Outdoor cats are at the highest risk of disease
and many cats that test positive to feline
leukemia virus (FeLV) also test positive to FIV.
How is the disease contracted?
FIV is spread from cat to cat primarily through
bite wounds, the virus being shed in high levels
through saliva. Outdoor cats are at a higher risk
for contracting the disease. The spread of FIV
through watering bowls or grooming is unlikely.
An actual bite wound is an integral part of
the disease transmission. Although rare, it is
possible for a mother to pass the infection on
to her unborn foetus.
What can I do to prevent feline AIDS?
Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease
in at-risk cats. There is no treatment or cure for
an FIV infected cat. A vaccine is available that
can aid in the prevention of infection by FIV. Talk
with your veterinarian about the best vaccination
program for your cat.
Along with vaccination, other health management
measures include:
- Limiting exposure of indoor cats to outdoor cats
- Using caution when introducing a new cat to a
multi-cat household
- Having a new cat tested prior to joining the
household
- Isolating an aggressive cat from other cats
FIV vaccination guideline
- Unvaccinated cats
- Those cats presented at 8 weeks
of age or older require 3 doses
at an intervaccination interval
of 2-4 weeks.
- Vaccinated cats
- Annual vaccination is recommended.
