FIV & FeLV
FIV & FeLV (Cat AIDS and Feline Leukemia) FIV and FeLV are 2 viruses that are mainly known by cat breeders. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for both viruses. FeLV FeLV or Feline Leukemia Virus is a disease with a fatal outcome. Usually the virus mainly affects the immune system, and sometimes we see leukemia (tumors of the white blood cells in the blood) develop. Since the 1980s, the incidence of the disease has been greatly reduced. This is due to the fact that there is much more frequent testing for the virus before breeding the animals. Infection and disease course Cats are mainly infected through saliva or nasal fluid and bite wounds. The virus can also be transmitted through blood, urine and faeces. A pregnant cat can also pass the virus on to the kittens via the placenta or after birth via mother's milk. After infection via the placenta, the kittens can already die in the womb, be born abnormal or be born healthy but be carriers of the virus. Due to the greatly reduced immune system, cats infected with FeLV become much more susceptible to infections. We often see infections with these cats, including viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. We call these infections secondary because the underlying cause is the FeLV infection. Symptoms Affected white blood cells can spread throughout the body, causing disease in many different organs. Which symptoms develop in a cat therefore depends on which organs are affected, and which secondary infections are possibly present. The most common symptoms are tumors, anemia, weight loss, shortness of breath, fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, eye infections, poor appetite, reproductive problems and paralysis symptoms. Diagnosis FeLV The tests cats for FeLV when breeding and in cats with symptoms that suggest FeLV. Early detection of FeLV prevents many FeLV infections. In most practices a FeLV blood test can be done, the result of which is known quickly. Viral antibodies are then looked at. FeLV can also be detected by means of PCR (tracing DNA of the virus in the blood). This method can only be performed in a laboratory. The advantage is that this can be detected much earlier after the infection (detectable within 1 week, in contrast to the viral antibodies). It will take a little longer before the results are known. Treatment FeLV is not curable and will ultimately always lead to death. However, an antiviral drug can be administered in the hope of inhibiting the virus somewhat. Unfortunately, this therapy is expensive and not 100% effective, but can sometimes provide a temporary improvement. It is important to keep cats with FeLV separate to avoid contamination from other cats. If secondary infections are present, they should be treated. There is a vaccination, but it is not used as standard in the Netherlands. This is because there is a risk that a healthy cat will contract FeLV as a result of the vaccination. FIV or Cat AIDS FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that causes feline AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Virus, which means that the virus destroys the immune system. There can be a long period between infection with the virus and the appearance of the symptoms. Ultimately, AIDS sets in, along with infections, tumors and other diseases that affect the entire body. FIV can only cause AIDS in cats, so it is not dangerous for humans. FIV occurs worldwide and was first described in 1987. The virus is transmitted through blood and saliva contact, especially through fight and bite wounds. That is why we see the disease more often in males who go outside and fight a lot. When a cat is covered by a male, a neck is often bitten, which can cause infection. An infected pregnant female can also transmit the virus to the kittens through the placenta or breast milk. Unlike HIV in humans, the virus is not transmitted through sexual contact. Breeders in particular have to deal with FIV. It is advisable to have both female and male tested for FIV before mating. Symptoms and Progression Often, acute infection with FIV is accompanied by barely noticeable symptoms such as transient fever, swollen lymph nodes and low white blood cell counts. This is often followed by a period that is not accompanied by clinical symptoms (asymptomatic phase). This phase can take several years. During this period without symptoms, the cat can infect other cats. After this period, we usually see vague symptoms develop. The cat then enters the AIDS stage, and is clearly not well. When the AIDS stage occurs depends on a number of factors such as age, health at the time of infection, method of infection, etc. AIDS is often accompanied by severe inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth (stomatitis), difficulty breathing, diarrhoea, abscesses and weight loss. Neurological symptoms, kidney failure or tumors are also possible. The virus affects the cat's immune system, making it susceptible to all kinds of infections. Diagnosis of FIV By means of blood tests we can detect antibodies against FIV. Cats usually make antibodies within 60 days of infection with the virus, although this takes longer in some cats. If a test is negative, but a recent infection is suspected, the test can be repeated after 60 days. False positive results can occur, meaning the test will give a positive result when no antibodies to FIV are present. If this cat shows no symptoms, we recommend repeating the test. A negative test, on the other hand, is very reliable. Treatment Unfortunately, there is no cure for cat aids. Treatment consists of tackling the infections that occur as a result of the weakened immune system. An antiviral drug can also be administered in the hope of inhibiting the virus somewhat. Unfortunately, this therapy is expensive and not 100% effective. There is no vaccine available against FIV in the Netherlands. Prevention It is important that cats diagnosed with FIV cannot infect other cats. This means that they have to be housed alone, and can no longer go outside. As mentioned before, it is wise to test both male and female before mating.