The Facts About Feline AIDS: Is Your Cat at Risk?

The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a major cause of disease world wide. Unfortunately, here in Australia we have a higher incidence of the disease than anywhere else in the world. In fact, the research of one of our veterinarians here at Casula, Dr Betty Liem, found that 1 in 6 cats are infected with FIV in Sydney's western suburbs.

FIV causes disease similar to that of the human immunodeficiency virus and eventually develops into an AIDS-like disease.  However, FIV can not spread to humans or vice versa.  The virus replicates within the immune system, killing white cells and leaving our feline friends vulnerable to opportunistic diseases.   Early signs of FIV will vary depending on what other infections are present but you may see a loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea, weight loss or anaemia. Affected cats usually die of opportunistic infections.

As there is currently no cure for FIV, prevention is very important. Also, signs of FIV are rarely present immediately after infection and many cats can live years before their immune system has been affected enough to cause disease. Unfortunately, during this time they are still able to infect other cats and you may not realise how often your cat is at risk of catching FIV. For this reason, here at Casula and Elizabeth Drive hospitals we recommend that all cats, (unless exclusively indoors) are vaccinated for FIV as part of their kitten vaccinations.

If you have an adult cat that has not been vaccinated for FIV or if you are not sure, a quick test can be done in the clinic which will tell us if your new cat has ever been infected or vaccinated for FIV previously. A DNA test can also be performed which allows us to differentiate between vaccinated and infected cats. As FIV is most commonly spread by biting during cat fights, it is important to keep your cat indoors until we have the results of these tests.

         

Although there is no cure for FIV, the good news is that we can help to prevent infection and avoid the spread of this deadly disease in our feline companions. If you have any questions on vaccination or FIV tests, the staff at Casula and Elizabeth Drive Animal Hospitals are happy to answer them.