The feline virus is now called FIV or feline immunodeficiency virus. It has previously been called feline T-lymphotrophic lentivirus (FTLV) and feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (FAIDS) virus.
The virus that causes AIDS in people is called human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, so could easily be confused with the feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV.
Although the disease syndromes caused by the two viruses are similar, they do not affect animals of other species. That is, the feline virus does not affect people, nor does the human virus affect cats.
The clinical signs associated with the feline disease are varied because they are largely caused by secondary infections that affect the immunosuppressed cat. The normal resistance to those infections just isn’t there. Sometimes the only outward signs will be a general unthriftiness and poor hair coat. Other signs include fever, oral infections, skin infections, urinary bladder infections, or upper respiratory infections. Affected cats also commonly have concurrent infections with the feline leukemia virus, Toxoplasmosis, feline infectious peritonitis virus, hemobartonella, and others. Reproductive failures, abortions, seizures, and other neurologic disorders are also seen.
Treatment of FIV infection is largely supportive. There are no drugs proven to be effective against the virus, but antibiotics are frequently used to control secondary bacterial infections. Other medications to combat dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, secondary inflammation, nutritional deficits, etc., are also used. At present there is no cure.
There is a blood test available that can be done either in your veterinarian’s office or sent to an outside veterinary clinical pathology laboratory. This test is often done in conjunction with the test for feline leukemia virus, since this virus can cause an immunodeficiency syndrome that is clinically indistinguishable from FIV.
Current recommendations for a cat infected with FIV are (1) to isolate it from other cats to keep from spreading infection as well as to keep the infected cat from acquiring secondary bacterial infections, (2) treat any clinical signs symptomatically and (3) avoid all possible sources of stress or infection. Generally this means keeping the cat indoors at all times. A vaccine to prevent FIV is currently not available.
Some cats can apparently harbor the feline immunodeficiency virus for a fairly long time without being ill at all. These cats may be spreading infection to other cats. Your veterinarian can advise you on whether or not to have your cat or cats tested for feline immunodeficiency virus.
Dr. Dan Meakin is the owner of All Creatures Animal Hospital, 1894 Ohio Pike in Amelia. Call 513-797-PETS (7387).