Feline immunodeficiency virus, ie FIV for short; It is a feline virus. This virus is very similar to HIV in that it perceives the immune system as a threat and weakens it through attack, so it is also known as feline AIDS.
This disease, first recognized in the mid-1980s and seen in many animals worldwide, is defined as a Retrovirus infection that can infect only 2.5% to 4.4% of cats and is not a very common infection. There are many subtypes of FIV and risk groups vary according to the characteristics of the subtypes.
What is FIV Disease?
FIV disease in cats is a virus that directly attacks the immune system, causing infection and dysfunctioning the defense mechanism against other diseases. This disease, also known as feline AIDS, is a viral infection. Those exposed to the disease have a weaker immune system compared to other non-positive cats.
FIV may initially present with mundane, short-lived symptoms that go unnoticed by cat owners. FIV-infected cats, whose immune systems weaken over time and become open to external threats in this process, may not have any obvious symptoms for a long time.
FIV disease virus in cats and AIDS disease virus in humans are in the same Retrovirus family, but they are diseases that infect different living groups.
What Are the Symptoms of FIV Disease?
FIV disease in cats can move quite slowly through the cat system. This is why cats can live for years without showing any visible signs of FIV. However, since FIV disease will suppress the immune system of cats in the later stages, frequent diseases can be observed. Cats whose immune system weakens over time may become vulnerable to viruses and bacteria that seem harmless. These frequent periods of illness due to FIV tire the cats' body in the future and cause them to become weak.
Common symptoms of FIV include:
- Fever
- Anemia
- Tiredness
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Inflammation of the mouth and gums
- Chronic or recurrent infections of the eyes, skin, upper respiratory tract or bladder
- Unhealthy appearance of the hair structure
- Persistent diarrhea
- Permanent eye problems
- Behavior changes
- Neurological disorders
Many cats infected with the FIV virus may be at risk of developing different diseases in the future.
How to Diagnose FIV in Cats?
Various examinations and tests are performed under the control of a veterinarian for the diagnosis of FIV disease in cats. The methods to be applied by the veterinarian in the diagnosis process of cats with suspected FIV are as follows:
- Physical examination:Examines cats' teeth, gums, tongue and oral mucosa. It detects signs of infection by checking eyes, ears, skin, fever.
- Blood test: The presence of antibodies produced by the body to fight FIV is investigated.
- ELISA test: It is a test for the detection of FIV antibodies.
- Western test: Determines the binding of antibodies found in the ELISA test to specific proteins.
- PCR test: detects the presence of genetic material of the FIV virus.
- Oral mucosal cell test: It investigates the presence of the virus by taking a cell sample from the oral mucosa.
- Neutrophil count: Since FIV may cause a decrease in the neutrophil count, the neutrophil count is followed by a blood test.
In addition to all these, even if the test result is negative if a suspicious bite mark is found in cats, it is critical to repeat the test at the end of the following 60 days.
How to Treat FIV in Cats?
Today, no drug has been developed yet to eradicate the FIV disease transmitted to cats. However, secondary infections caused by the virus can be prevented by the use of necessary antibiotics during FIV treatment in cats. The methods that can be applied to cats with FIV disease are as follows:
- Noise control
- Medicines that strengthen the immune system
- Medicines to help prevent secondary infection
- Medicines to help prevent inflammation
- Fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy
- A nutritional routine that will strengthen the immune system
Early FIV treatment can prolong the lifespan of infected cats and greatly contribute to a good and healthy quality of life.
Is FIV Disease Contagious?
FIV is a contagious disease among cats. It is generally found in the bodily fluids of cats and the most common transmission route is through saliva contact. In addition, in cases where scratching and deep bites are seen, it can easily be transmitted from cat to cat. Another way of FIV disease transmission is through blood, so it can be seen that it is transmitted by mating, although it is rare. It can also be transmitted to kittens through breast milk.
The conditions that increase the risk of transmission in the FIV virus can be summarized as follows:
- Transfer of all body fluids, but especially saliva
- Use of common food and water bowls as it is transmitted through oral fluid
- Rarely by mating
- By blood; during deep bites, open wounds and skin irritations
- During breastfeeding
Is FIV Disease Passed From Cat to Cat?
FIV disease in cats is a contagious disease only among cats. It can be transmitted to another cat through people who come into contact with cats, but this type of virus can only live in cats.
Is FIV Disease Transmitted from Cat to Human?
FIV disease is not a disease transmitted from cats to humans. However, it can also be transmitted to other cats through people who come into contact with the bodily fluids of infected cats. In cases where more than one cat lives in the common area because it is transmitted through blood, if a cat is injured as a result of home care, it can be transmitted to another cat by the hand of the person who takes care of it.
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