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Feline Immunodefeciency Virus (FIV)
FIV is the cat equivalent of HIV in people. It is a virus that is spread between cats through blood and other body secretions (e.g. saliva). It requires a break in the skin for inoculation, thus fighting is the most common form of transmission.
Cats infected with FIV may appear healthy for months or years. The FIV virus causes a weakened immune system and signs of clinical disease most often include chronic infections, non-healing wounds, sores and ulcers in the mouth, and weight loss. With time, an infected cat will become severely debilitated and die from chronic illnesses. There is no cure for the virus and once infected, a cat is capable of spreading the disease to many other cats.
We have in-house screening tests for the presence of FIV. A positive cat that is currently healthy should be strictly isolated from other cats for the remainder of its life (single-cat households only) and closely monitored for any signs of illness. Sick FIV-positive cats may respond to antibiotics but long-term survival is unlikely and quality of life is an issue that should be considered.
Any household that has more than one cat or cats that are allowed to spend time outdoors (in contact with roaming cats) should consider routine testing as part of their pet health program. There is a vaccine available that may provide some protection.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
FeLV is another virus spread between cats. It also has no cure. Like FIV it is spread through blood and body secretions, but unlike FIV it does not require a break in the skin for infection. Thus, the virus can be shed through shared food and water bowls and close contact.
FeLV causes many different clinical signs, most of which are due to a poor-functioning immune system. Any cat that presents for chronic or recurring illnesses should be tested for FeLV. FeLV-positive cats are also at risk for developing cancer (lymphoma) and multi-organ failure later in life.
The same test that screens for FIV also tests for FeLV and thus the same testing recommendations apply (any cat in a multi-cat household or cats that are free to roam outside). There are a very few number of cats who may become "transiently" infected; so a positive cat may be strictly quarantined for 3 months and re-tested. A subsequent positive result indicates that the cat will be a "life-long" carrier and eventually show clinical disease.
There is a relatively effective vaccine available that is highly recommended for any cat that may be considered at an increase risk for coming into contact with the virus.
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