Feline Leukemia and FIV Care
Facts about Feline Leukemia and FIV
(Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, FeLV, and FIV, also known as Feline AIDS)
FeLV and FIV affect your cat in a similar way. Both viruses attack the immune system. Both can “hide” within the bone marrow of your cat for a long time. Both can kill.
Spread of disease
FeLV is spread in the saliva of infected cats. This typically occurs through cat bites, mutual grooming of infected cats, or eating out of the same food bowls as infected cats. Transmission may also occur between a pregnant female cat and her unborn kittens if the mother cat is harboring the virus. Less common modes of transmission may be through infected urine or feces. FIV is more difficult to transmit. It appears that transmission generally occurs through deep puncture wounds. Therefore, outdoor cats that fight frequently are most at risk.
Signs to watch for...
While some infected cats may show no signs in the "carrier" state, most will eventually show one or more of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration and pale mucous membranes (anemia)
- Lethargy
Diagnosis
A diagnosis can usually be made for both diseases from a single blood test. In some cases, additional blood tests may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
There is no cure for FeLV or FIV. Treatment is supportive in nature. Most cats will eventually die or be humanely euthanized due to the severe nature of these diseases.
Cats Most at Risk
- Stray cats
- Outdoor cats, particularly non-neutered male cats
- Outdoor, unvaccinated cats (there is an effective vaccine for FeLV; the vaccine for FIV is problematic and its use is not highly recommended)
- Cats in multi-cat households
Prevention
- Blood test your cat to screen for these diseases
- If your cat goes outdoors, vaccinate against FeLV
- Keep your cat indoors to prevent exposure
- Spay and Neuter cats to prevent fighting and mating which may aid in disease transmission
- NEVER introduce a new cat into a house without blood testing first
