Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and, although it tends to suppress the immune systems of cats in many ways similar to Feline Leukemia (FeLV), it is an entirely different disease and vaccine.
The easiest way to think about FIV is to consider it the feline equivalent of HIV. Cats can transmit the disease in many of the same ways that human can transmit HIV and can pass it to their offspring and can contract it through sexual intercourse. Bodily fluids are used to spread disease and any contact of one cat's fluids to another has the potential to spread the disease. Cats, however, usually spread the disease through bites. This means that cats prone to fighting, especially outdoor cats, are most at risk for contracting the disease.
Although kittens can potentially contract the disease through the mother's milk, they usually contract antibodies which will result in positive test results should the kitten be tested for FIV within the first six months of life. The FIV test, usually combined with an FeLV test, requires a small amount of blood and tests for immune levels that would be heightened in response to an infection from the virus. These levels, however, can be heightened due to residual immunity from the mother cat. If the kitten tests positive with the first four months of life, owners should re-test the kitten after six months of age.
Like HIV, FIV attacks the immune system and cats do not die from FIV, but from complications from other infections or diseases. Cats can appear healthy and normal for many years, but any infection or small disease has the ability to cause major medical problems in an FIV positive cat.
There is no treatment or cure for FIV.
Vaccinating
Current vaccines are minimally effective and do not guarantee the same type of protection offered by other vaccines (FVRCP, FeLV). In fact, most veterinarians only offer FIV vaccine to animals that have constant exposure to infected cats. This means that only owners who have the following circumstances should consider vaccinating their animal with the FIV vaccine. These owners include ones who
· have an FIV cat along with other, healthy cats
· own an outdoor cat prone to fights
· or have an outdoor cat who lives in the neighborhood with a known FIV-positive cat that goes outside
Basically, if your cat is in immediate danger of contracting FIV, he or she should be vaccinated. But, keep in mind that the FIV vaccine is between 40% and 60% effective and your vaccinated cat will continue to test positive for the rest of its life.
Because of the positive test results, owners who choose to vaccinate their cats must undergo a rigid series of vaccines. On the first visit to the vet, the cat is tested and a negative test result is documented immediately prior to administering the FIV vaccine. A total to three shots, or "boosters", are needed in order to complete the series. The owner MUST return at set three-week intervals so that the cat receives separate doses of the vaccine at scheduled times.
If the cat is ever found as a stray it will test positive for FIV. Since the majority of FIV-positive cats are euthanized at shelters, those given an FIV vaccine are usually required to be microchipped [http://www.myonesource.com/articles/115/1/Microchips-in-Dogs-and-Cats---What-and-Why/Page1.html] as well. This way the animals can be tracked back to their owners and shelters can verify that the animal is not contagious, but simply retains the antibodies as a result of the vaccine.
Be aware of the risks associated with vaccinating your animal and consult your veterinarian when determining the best vaccines for your cat.
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