Forwarded message - for info, please visit
http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=457&srcid=456

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Feline immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus in the lentivirus subfamily.
The primary mode of transmission is through bite wounds. Because
neutered cats fight much less than intact cats, transmission of FIV can
be significantly reduced through neuter programs. Under natural
conditions, the virus is not transmitted through nursing, mutual
grooming, sharing food/water bowls, or from mother to kitten.

Feral cats and owned cats contract FIV at an equally low rate. An
estimated 3-4% of all free-roaming cats1 become infected and carry
the virus, but only a small portion of these cats develop symptoms
related to FIV. Most FIV-infected cats live many years–sometimes
their entire lives—without any visible effects from the virus.

In cats who develop FIV-related disease, the virus can cause varying
degrees of immune system dysfunction. This most often manifests as
a reduced ability to fight infection. For example, the classic presentation
is an adult male cat with recurrent abscesses that take longer to heal
than would be expected. Other types of infections caused by viruses,
bacteria, and fungi may also become more serious and take longer
to resolve.

Progression of the Virus

After initial infection, the virus spreads to the cat's lymph nodes, causing
them to become enlarged. Fever can develop and last for several days.
Some cats experience a transiently reduced white blood cell count. During
the second stage of infection, the cat is often completely asymptomatic
for many years. The virus typically remains dormant for years, which
may explain why many cats live a lifetime without symptoms.

If disease develops, this will occur during the third stage. In this stage
the cat may develop signs of immunodeficiency and secondary conditions,
such as opportunistic infections, stomatitis, ocular inflammation, cancer,
and respiratory tract infections. FIV-infected cats might also develop
persistent intestinal or urinary tract infections, neurological problems,
kidney disease, or tumors. All of these conditions also occur in cats
without FIV infection, so an association with FIV is often speculative.

A diagnosis of FIV infection is not cause for alarm. Since the virus has
a long incubation period, a cat who tests FIV-positive may live free of
FIV-related disease for a lifetime. Furthermore, FIV-vaccinated cats
are indistinguishable from FIV-infected cats. Learn more about Coo,
Alley Cat Allies’ FIV-positive office cat.

Against FIV Testing

Alley Cat Allies does not support testing feral cats for FIV. Besides the
reasons stated previously—low rate of disease, low likelihood of
transmission, long lifespan—the cost of testing is substantial. We believe
that funds are more effectively invested in neutering, rather than FIV
testing.

Moreover, FIV test results can be false, inaccurate or inconclusive:

Standard tests only detect antibodies against the virus, not the virus itself.
The presence of antibodies does not mean the cat is infected.

Positive FIV tests in kittens under six months of age should not be
interpreted as FIV infection. Kittens are rarely infected but may test
positive because antibodies can be passed from infected mothers
through nursing. For more accurate interpretation, FIV-positive kittens
under six months of age should be retested between eight and 12 months
of age, when maternal antibodies have declined.

Current FIV tests cannot distinguish between cats who are infected with
FIV, vaccinated against FIV, or both infected and vaccinated.
Fel-O-Vax® FIV vaccine, approved in 2002, stimulates the production
of antibodies that are indistinguishable from those that develop from
natural infection.

Care and Treatment

There is no cure for FIV, but a cat who tests FIV-positive may live free
of FIV-related disease for his lifetime. By carrying out spay/neuter
programs, the risk of transmission will be greatly reduced.

Read more complete information about selection and interpretation of
FeLV and FIV tests and management suggestions for infected cats from
the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

1 "Prevalence of feline leukemia virus infection and serum antibodies
against feline immunodeficiency virus in unowned free-roaming cat,"
JAVMA, Vol 220, No. 5, March 1, 2002

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - Aug. 21, 2009