FIV: I was just told that my 3.5 yr old male cat has FIV.

Question

Can anyone give me some valuable info about what his means long-term and what steps I can take to ensure he stays healthy?

Answer 1

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), occasionally referred to as Feline or Cat AIDS is a lentivirus that affects domesticated housecats worldwide. Approximately 11% of cats worldwide, and about 2.5% of cats in the USA, are infected with FIV. More than 90% of African lions in some zoos tested positive for the virus. FIV differs taxonomically from two other feline retroviruses, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline foamy virus (FFV). Within FIV, five subtypes have been identified based on amino acid sequence differences coding for the viral envelope. FIV is not a death sentence for cats, as they can live relatively healthy as carriers and transmitters of the disease for many years. A vaccine is available although its efficiency remains uncertain, and cats will test positive for FIV after vaccination.

FIV was first discovered in 1986 in a colony of cats that had a high prevalence of opportunistic infections and degenerative conditions, and has since been identified as an endemic disease in domestic cat populations worldwide.

The disease occurs in three stages: First is the Acute Stage (1-2 months after transmission) in which fever, depression, and generalized lymphadenopathy are observed (Wise 2005). Second is the Subclinical Stage (4 weeks to X months after transmission), in which symptoms of the disease decrease or disappear; however, all cats remain viremic for life. Third is the Chronic Stage, in which cats eventually succumb to chronic infections due to suppressed immune system function. Cats may incur stomatitis, odontoclasia, periodontitis, gingivitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, pneumonitis, enteritis, and dermatitis in the later stages of infection. FIV+ cats are less likely to develop AIDS-like symptoms than HIV+ humans.

Answer 2

My suggestion would be to look into a support group that can help you with managing the disease. To the best of my knowledge, providing the best diet along with some supplementation can keep your cat healthy(er) for years before he gets really ill. Holisticat is one I have experience with personally but there are probably many others available as well.

Answer 3

Here are a couple of articles about the disease. Hope they help you to understand more it.

http://cats.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/...

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?...

Answer 4

Antibiotics help control secondary bacterial infections and good nutrition prolongs the cat’s periods of “good” health. Keeping the cat inside the house will eliminate fight wounds and abscesses. Cats that are not eating benefit from nutritional caloric pastes, intravenous fluids, vitamin injections and, in some instances, corticosteroid and anabolic steroids.

The lifespan of feline FIV-positive cats varies greatly. Some will live for years with the virus. Others fade rapidly over a few months despite our attempts to delay the disease. Basically, the worse the cat looks, that is, the poorer its general health, the shorter it’s life span will be. The degree of immunosuppression dictates these cat’s general health.

http://www.2ndchance.info/fiv.htm

P.S. Your cat should be tested at least twice for FIV, as tests are known to give false positives, on occasions.

Answer 5

i actually heard that many cats live with this (cat aids) for relatively long and otherwise healthy lives, depending upon regular care.

i suppose that if your cat received some other illness or a bad cat fight...his immune system would be compromised and have a more difficult struggle to overcome.    say for example a person who has diabetes would want to take care to not get cut on his foot...as the disease causes problems in circulation to the extremities and healing is prolonged and may become worse.  keep your cat away from other cats as not to spread the disease to others and keep your cat happy and healthy.  good luck

Answer 6

All i can say is google it. Find out what FIV means and buy a book. his depending on you for his health. do ur own research and find a low cost vet. Good LUCK