You may have heard of the terms FIV and FeLV, or asked if you have tested your cat(s) for them. However, what does FIV and FeLV mean in cats?
FIV and FeLV are significant health concerns for cats, but with proper understanding & management, affected cats can still lead fulfilling lives. As responsible cat owners, it's essential to educate ourselves about these diseases & take preventive measures to reduce transmission.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
FIV strains can be divided into 5 different subgroups, A to E. Cats are most often infected with A, B and occasionally C strains.
WHAT IS FIV:
FIV is a viral infection that affects a cat's immune system, similar to HIV in humans. It weakens the cat's ability to fight off infections & diseases, making them more vulnerable to other illnesses.
HOW IS FIV TRANSMITTED:
Bite wounds (most common)
Mother to offspring (less common)
Sharing food bowls and grooming (rare, but possible under certain conditions)
SYMPTOMS OF FIV:
Early stages often asymptomatic
Recurrent minor illnesses and infections
Weight loss
Poor coat condition
Fever
Diarrhoea
Persistent or recurrent infections (e.g., skin, urinary, respiratory, Oral diseases)
Seizures, behavior changes, and other neurological disorders in later stages
TESTING FOR FIV:
1. ELISA
usually tests for FIV & FeLV together
works like a Pregnancy / ART test kit
Can be done in house in most clinics
Can you vaccinate against FIV? Cats that have been vaccinated against FIV will always be tested as positive in an ELISA FIV test
CURE / MANAGEMENT OF FIV:
No cure for FIV
Management focuses on preventive care to avoid infection
Require regular veterinary monitoring
Promptly treating secondary infections
Regular veterinary check-ups
Keeping the cat indoors to prevent spread and reduce exposure to infections
For infected cats:
CAN I MIX FIV & NON FIV CATS IN A HOUSEHOLD?
This is tricky - if there is stable structure in your "home colony" & the cats do not fight & can peacefully co-exist BUT, risks are still present. Weigh your Pros & Cons.
FeLV - Feline Leukemia Virus
FeLV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, meaning it can be incorporated into a cat’s genome and may not be cleared over time.
3 main subtypes FeLV-A, FeLV-B, and FeLV-C. These subtypes have different effects on the cat's immune system & overall health.
WHAT IS FeLV:
It is viral infection that affects cats, causing suppression of the immune system and predisposing them to various infections, anemia, and certain types of cancer.
FeLV is a labile enveloped single stranded RNA virus.
• Labile = unstable, easily broken down or changed, for example by heat
• Enveloped = the virus has an outer wrapping or envelope, which protects the genetic material of the virus
• Single stranded RNA = the virus’ genetic information consists of a single strand of RNA (ribonucleic acid)
HOW IS FeLV TRANSMITTED:
Close contact with infected cats (e.g., grooming, sharing food/water bowls)
Bite wounds
Mother to kitten (during pregnancy or nursing) *20% of vertically infected kittens may survive the neonatal period to become persistently infected adult
SYMPTOMS OF FeLV:
Loss of appetite & weight loss
Dehydration
Fever
Persistent diarrhoea
Oral Inflammation / Stomatitis
Various infections due to weakened immune system (respiratory, skin, urinary tract, etc)
Anemia, etc
*However, some cats may remain asymptomatic carriers of the virus for years. They may suddenly be triggered by onset of stress, etc.
TESTING FOR FeLV:
1. ELISA
usually tests for FIV & FeLV together
works like a Pregnancy / ART test kit
Tests may become +VE early and may reflect either transient viremia (regressive) or persistent viremia (progressive)
To determine between regressive VS progressive infection, retest 6 weeks after the first +VE results
Can be done in house in most clinics
2. PCR
PCR detects the genetic material of the virus within the cat’s blood or tissues. If the test can detect the genetic material of the FeLV virus within the cat’s blood or tissues, the test is positive.
PCR is a highly sensitive test for FeLV DNA, and is the most sensitive method when correctly performed.
Susceptible to technical errors & poor quality control which may reduce accuracy of results
Often sent out to external lab - takes time
CURE / MANAGEMENT OF FeLV:
No cure for FeLV
Management focuses on preventive care to avoid infection
Require regular veterinary monitoring
Stress-free environment & a high-quality diet to support their immune system.
Keeping cats indoors to prevent contact with infected cats
For infected cats:
Supportive care, including treatment for secondary infections
CAN I MIX FeLV & NON FelV CATS IN A HOUSEHOLD?
Risky!!
The median survival time for cats after FeLV is diagnosed is 2.5 years, but this can be much longer for cats who develop a regressive (i.e. cats mount a good immune response & contain infection effectively - the virus may still be present in some cells, but an effective immune response stops widespread replication of the virus.) infection.
FeLV cats can live normal lives for prolonged periods of time.
Acknowledgements: Ngee Ann Polytechnic - Faculty of Veterinary Science, Petpedia, College of Veterinary Medicine
Downloadable Infographic on our Instagram Page: @thecatwhisperersg
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