There are many vaccines that new cat owners are encouraged to have performed on their cats to protect against rabies, feline distemper (FPV), feline leukemia (FeLV), and other common cat illnesses. One vaccine is less common than the others, but it protects against a disease that is just as serious, if not more so. That disease is FIV, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as Feline AIDS. FIV and its impact on cats has become a topic of increasing concern as more people realize that cats can get “AIDS” too.
What is FIV?
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is the cat equivalent of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in humans. FIV is a disease-causing virus that attacks the immune system of cats, leading to a sharp decrease in white blood cell count. White blood cells are essential to the immune system and help protect against infection and disease. It is not a death sentence for cats—some cats can live for many years after being diagnosed, or even show no symptoms at all.
FIV is in the same family as HIV, but it has different characteristics, such as how it is transmitted and how it progresses into full-blown AIDS. In fact, some cases of FIV never develop into AIDS. FIV is more common in older cats, typically those that are five years or older. The infection itself is usually not what makes cats sick—it is the secondary infections, such as upper respiratory infections and bladder problems, that cause infected cats to become ill.
Some common symptoms of FIV include chronic abscesses, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, enlarged lymph nodes, cataracts, facial twitching, and behavioral changes. This list is not exhaustive, as there are many symptoms associated with FIV. Some cats don’t experience any symptoms for years.
How is FIV Transmitted?
FIV is transmitted from cat to cat through deep bite wounds. The virus is typically spread from saliva to the bloodstream. Aggressive male cats that roam outdoors are most likely to contract FIV because they often get into physical fights with other cats over territory. Female cats and passive male cats are less likely to get into fights, making them less likely to contract the virus. FIV can also be transmitted from a mother to her kittens during gestation, birth, or through her milk.
Humans cannot contract FIV in its full form, but it is possible for humans with weak immune systems to be affected by the bacteria that causes negative effects in cats with FIV, if the infected cat’s fluids enter the human bloodstream.
How Many Cats Are Infected?
Recent statistics show that about 3% of cats in the United States are infected with FIV, and 5% of these cats are also infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Although the number of infected cats may seem low, it remains a major concern in communities with a lot of stray cats, since the virus is spread from cat to cat. Additionally, since many cats live for years without showing symptoms of FIV, it is possible that some cases of FIV go unreported. FIV is fatal and currently has no cure, just like HIV in humans, so any percentage of FIV occurrence in cats should be taken seriously.
How is FIV Treated? FIV is incurable, but it can be managed in several ways. Some cats are given medication to increase their white blood cell count. Reverse inhibitors like AZT, PMEA, or ddC are sometimes recommended by veterinarians to reverse the virus’s negative effects, though caution is usually advised. Doctors may also suggest a regimen of Omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and a strong, healthy diet to help boost the immune system.
Due to the fact that the FIV virus makes cats more vulnerable to secondary diseases, every possible precaution should be taken to avoid introducing foreign toxins, infections, and bacteria into the cat’s environment. It is best to keep an infected cat indoors.
Regular vet visits and testing can help cat owners better manage the virus. A veterinarian can review test results and recommend specific actions to help boost the cat’s immune system.
How Can I Protect My Cat from FIV?
The only surefire way to protect your cat from FIV is by keeping it indoors. Most diseases are transmitted outdoors by free-roaming cats, many of whom have not been vaccinated or treated. Outdoor, free-roaming cats are the most likely carriers of the virus, even if they show no symptoms.
As mentioned earlier, FIV vaccines are available, but there is some controversy surrounding their use and effectiveness, especially since the vaccine is relatively new. Some believe the vaccine is dangerous because it can cause vaccinated cats to test positive for FIV. If a vaccinated cat is lost and later found by another owner or rescue shelter, it may be mistakenly euthanized due to the positive FIV test. Other critics point out that the current vaccine only protects against two strains of the virus, while five known strains currently exist in cat populations.
While FIV cases in cats are infrequent, they should not be dismissed. Any cat exposed to the potential transmission of FIV should be tested—not only for the health of the cat but to protect other cats it may come into contact with in the future. People with cats diagnosed with FIV should not see it as the end of their cat’s life. With careful and thoughtful care, many cats with FIV have lived well beyond their expected life expectancy.
