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Feline AIDS
15/11/2022
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a virus that's found in domestic cats that attacks the immune system. FIV leads to increased susceptibility to infections and other disease.
Is Feline AIDS the Same as FIV in Cats?
FIV is the virus that causes and can eventually progress to feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), usually years after initial infection.
How Do Cats Get FIV?
The most common way that FIV spreads among cats is through biting.
The saliva of an FIV-positive cat contains the virus, so it can spread to another cat through a bite wound.
The most frequently infected cats are typically aggressive male cats that are allowed to freely roam.
Another way that FIV can spread is from a mother cat to her kittens, although it is very rare. This can happen either during pregnancy, birth, or nursing.
Is FIV Contagious to Other Cats?
The risk of transmission between friendly household cats that stay indoors is low.
But it can be spread through biting, so FIV-positive cats should be kept indoors where they cannot infect others. Cats that don't have FIV can stay protected if you keep them inside as well.
Although the risk of transmission through social/friendly contact is low, it is not impossible. Ideally, infected cats should be kept separate from uninfected cats to eliminate the risk of transmission.
If this is not possible, remember that transmission is less likely between cats in a stable household (the cats do not fight, there's no introduction of a new cat, etc.).
What Are the Symptoms of FIV in Cats?
Since FIV affects a cat's immune system, symptoms will only appear once the cat has contracted a secondary infection.
Here are a few signs that FIV might be an underlying issue:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Lymph node enlargement
- Salivation
- Weight loss
- Abscesses
- Decrease in appetite
- Diarrhea
- Abortions or stillbirths
- Chronic or recurrent infections (respiratory, skin, bladder, eye)
- Conjunctivitis and uveitis
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Behavior changes
- Lymphoma or leukemia
Is There an FIV Vaccine for Cats?
There is a vaccine that can help provide protection against FIV; however, it is not always completely effective. Vaccination will also lead to false positive results, so it is important to know a cat's vaccine history prior to testing for FIV antibodies.
How Do You Prevent FIV in Cats?
The best way to prevent FIV in cats is to prevent exposure by:
Keeping your cat indoors
Spaying or neutering your cat
Keeping your cat separated from FIV-positive cats