FIV is a virus enters the lymph nodes and targets white blood cells called T lymphocytes, which fight infection. These cats are 99.99% normal kids. The virus is extremely difficult to transmit to other cats and CAN NOT be transmitted to other species INCLUDING humans.
Spread:
The primary mode of transmission is through bite wounds. Casual, nonaggressive contact among cats does not apear to be an efficient route of spreading FIV. On rare occasions, the disease is transmitted from an infected mother cat to her kittens during gestation, passage through the birth canal, or when the newborn kittens ingest infected milk.
Possible Signs:
poor coat condition, persistent fever and loss of appetite, infection and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and mouth (stomatitius), chronic or recurrent infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and upper respiratory tract, persistent diarrhea, slow progressive weight loss.
Cure:
As of yet there is no cure for FIV. To control bacterial and fungal infection, using antimicrobial frugs may be moderately successful. However, they must be continued for long periods, or started again as new infections occur. Intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and feeding of high caloricdietary supplements, is frequently required for supportive care. Corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs may in some cases, be used to control ginigivitis and stomatitis. To control weight loss and wasting, anabolic steroids may be used.
Vaccines:
As of yet, there is no vaccine for FIV.
Prevention:
Be sure to have your cat(s) tested. Diagnosis is based on the history, clinical signs, and result of an FIV antibody test. Keeping you cat indoors ONLY will drastically reduce its risks of becoming infected with FIV.
Multi Cat Households:
If aggresive fighting is not taking place, the risk to non-infected cats appears to be low and seperation is not necassary.
Euthanasia:
The idea of euthanizing a positive cat is one that must be addressed in each individual case, in consultation with the attending vet. Euthanasia is NOT necassary to control the transmission of the virus.
Other Illnesses
Feline Leukemia
Feline Distemper
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
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Some of the proceding has been adapted from the Cornell Feline Health Center's Information on Feline AIDs and other veterinary resources.
It is presented for informational use only.
Please see your veterinarian if you suspect any illnesses in your pet(s).