Feline Retroviral Test (FeLV/FIV)

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

If your cat has tested Positive for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a common infectious disease in cats. It is most often found in environments where there are many cats and free-roaming outdoor cats.

American Association of Feline Practitioners guidelines recommend retesting positive cats and kittens with a confirmatory test. Please visit your full-service veterinarian to complete these confirmatory tests.

Treatment and Management: Unfortunately, there is no cure for FeLV. If your cat tests positive for FeLV and has confirmation testing of a progressive infection, they will remain infected for the rest of their life. A FeLV vaccination is not beneficial if your cat is already infected.

Partner with your veterinarian for routine wellness visits and preventative care, so you can help your cat feel well for as long as possible. Through early detection, you can help protect your cat from secondary infections and address any associated illnesses that are seen with FeLV.

Transmission of FeLV occurs through the saliva, feces, milk, and urine of an infected cat. The most common route of spread is through saliva. FeLV is transferred through grooming, licking, biting, shared dishes, and shared litter pans. Young cats, especially those under 6 months of age, are the most susceptible to this disease. FeLV cannot be transmitted to people, dogs, or other animals.

Infected cats should be confined indoors so they do not pose a risk of infection to other cats and so they are better protected against infectious hazards in the environment. If other cats are in the household, Isolation to a separate space is recommended.

No new cats should be introduced in the household to reduce the risk of territorial aggression. If separation is not possible, uninfected cats should be vaccinated prior to introduction. Newly vaccinated cats should be isolated from infected cats for at least two months after the vaccine series is completed.

The signs and symptoms of FeLV can vary greatly. Some cats show mild symptoms, but many cats do not have any noticeable symptoms early in the course of illness. Signs may include: 

• Fever
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Loss of appetite
• Pale gums
• Weight loss
• Infections of the skin, bladder, or respiratory tract
• Lethargy
• Reproductive issues in non-spayed females
• Poor coat or fur condition

Eventually, FeLV-associated diseases occur and can include:

• Anemia
• Lymphoma and Leukemia
• Liver disease
• Chronic respiratory infections
• Intestinal disease
• Chronic gingivitis or stomatitis
• Reproductive problems
• Poor healing of wounds and abscesses

For more information on FeLV visit the website for the American Association of Feline Practitioners at: https://catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/retrovirus-management-guidelines

References:

1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X19895940  2020 AAFP feline retrovirus guidelines
2. https://catfriendly.com/feline-diseases/felv/ 
3. Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines (AAFP) – IDEXX

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

If your cat tested Positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Antibody

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a feline-specific virus that suppresses the immune system. This virus is species-specific, meaning FIV cannot be transmitted from cat to human. FIV is transmitted between cats by bodily fluids. This most commonly happens when an infected cat bites another cat, transmitting this virus into the wound via the saliva. It can also be transmitted sexually or through exposure to infected blood. FIV is not likely to be spread through normal cat-to-cat contact such as mutual grooming or by sharing food and water bowls.

When there is a positive test, American Association of Feline Practitioners guidelines recommend confirmation testing. Please visit your full-service veterinarian to complete these confirmatory tests.

Treatment and Management: Unfortunately, there is no cure for FIV. If your cat tests positive for FIV, and infection is confirmed by further testing, they will remain infected for the rest of their life. For their safety, and to prevent spread of the virus to other cats, FIV positive cats should be spayed or neutered and should remain indoors.

Partner with your full-service veterinarian to help your cat feel well through proactive care. Together, you can help manage your cat’s condition, including the symptoms and any FIV-associated diseases that may develop. Many cats infected with FIV live long and normal lives, especially if routine wellness care is provided. Along with early disease detection and limiting exposure to other infectious disease, FIV-infected cats can live happily. Using routine consistent parasite control for fleas, ticks and heartworm in accordance with the Companion Animal Parasite Council is important for FIV-infected cats as they are at higher risk of parasite infections. These products are available at our mobile clinics or online. You can look for all open clinic location hours of operation, request records, and request flea, tick, and heartworm prevention online at: https://www.vippetcare.com/

Infected cats should be confined indoors so they do not pose a risk of infection to other cats and so they are protected against infectious hazards in the environment. The best method of preventing the spread of disease to other cats in the household is to limit the exposure of the infected cat with its housemates. Ideally, all infected cats should be separated from the non-infected cats to eliminate the potential risk for FIV transmission. However, since FIV is transmitted primarily by bite wounds, transmission from an infected cat to an uninfected cat is less likely in households that have stable social structures (i.e., households in which cats do not fight). If separation is not possible, no new cats should be introduced in the household to reduce the risk of territorial aggression.

The signs and symptoms of FIV can vary greatly. The virus causes impairment of the cat’s immune system. Many cats remain without symptoms for several years before developing signs, usually due to secondary infections and chronic degenerative issues. Signs may include:

• Fever
• Inflammation & chronic gingivitis
• Loss of appetite & Weight loss
• Pale gums
• Sinus Infections
• Skin disease
• Poor coat or fur condition
• Neurological problems
• Pneumonia
• Diarrhea 

Please visit catfriendly.com/FIV and https://catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/retrovirus-management-guidelines for more information.

References:

1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X19895940 (2020 AAFP Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management Guidelines)
2. https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/what-fiv-and-why-fiv-vaccine-no-longer-available (What Is FIV and Why Is the FIV Vaccine No Longer Available? | PetMD)
3. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-immunodeficiency-virus-fiv (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine)
4. https://catvets.com/public/PDFs/ClientBrochures/AAFPFeLV-FIV-Brochure.pdf (AAFP FeLV and FIV client brochure)
5. https://catvets.com/retrovirus-toolkit/diagnosis (Diagnosis | American Association of Feline Practitioners)