Feline Leukemia & FIV

Your cat may be at risk for the feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus.  FIV and FeLV are manageable if detected early.  Your cat can be tested for both diseases with one blood test and it only takes 10 minutes.

FIV is the feline form of HIV.  (FIV only infects cats and is not transmissible to people.)
FeLV is feline leukemia virus.
Both viruses affect cats in similar ways and both can be deadly.  Simply put, all cats are at risk.  Even "indoor" cats should be tested to rule out the possibility of infection.  However, there are factors that can put some cats at higher risks:

• Fighting

• Time outdoors

• Contact with other cats (i.e. when boarding or at cat shows)

• Newly adopted

• Sickness

What are the dangers of the feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus?

FIV and FeLV:

• Are found in every region of the United States

• Are highly contagious

• Are transmitted from cat to cat

• Can be fatal,

• Have few outward signs, and no "sure" signs

• Are associated with illness and death of more cats than any other disease

• Weaken a cat's immune system

Why should I test my cat?
Without testing, there is no way to know whether your cat is infected.  Without a diagnosis, your cat cannot be treated properly.  The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recommends that all at-risk cats, sick cats and kittens should be tested.  If you do not know the status of your cat, it may carry, and possibly spread, the disease to other cats.  Not only can you help your cat live a happy, healthy life, but you can also help stop the spread of these two deadly diseases.

What are the signs?
There are no "sure" signs of either disease.  In some cats, signs don't appear for weeks, months or even years after they are infected.  That's why testing is so important.

Infected cats can show any of these signs:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Weakness

• Bite wounds

• Infected wounds

• Not drinking water

• Fever

• Bleeding or pale gums

• Behavioral changes

• Grooming changes

• Dull or matted coat

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Mouth sores

What if my cat does have these diseases?
Your veterinarian can work with you to manage the infection through diet and preventive health care.
You and your veterinarian can develop a plan that includes:

• Semiannual wellness visits

• A balanced, nutritional diet

• Watching for signs of other illness

• Spaying/Neutering of adults

• Maintaining your cat's vaccination program

With proper care, infected cats can live long and healthy lives.

Talk to your veterinarian about FIV/FeLV testing
31 million cats are at risk for FIV each year.  Only 11% of cats at risk for FIV/FeLV are being tested.
Since your last visit to the veterinary clinic, has your cat:

• Had a bite wound?

• Been outside for even a brief period of time?

• Been exposed to any other cat whose status is unknown?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, your cat should be tested.  Testing is an important step toward keeping your cat healthy and helping to stop the spread of the feilin immunodeficiency virus and the feline leukemia virus.

Info provided by IDEXX Laboratories.