FIV

Transmission of FIV
Our FIV experiences
FIV Research
How many cats are infected with Fiv?

Information with thanks to the University of Glasgow, Feline Virus Unit, Feline Health Center at Cornell University New York, Bob and Barbara Hunt of Catwork, sanctuary for FIV and FeLV's cats, and a wee bit of research done by myself over the years.

Transmission of FIV

FIV cannot be passed from:

FIV can only be transmitted through direct body fluid exchange, and even taking this into consideration a cat is unlikely to become infected through mating. Infection is predominately through deep penetrating bite wounds, where the skin is broken. You can read more about FIV on our vaccination page and our page.

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Our FIV experiences

Since 1991, I have had a total of 11 diagnosed FIV cats through Kitten adoption. KA arrange FIV testing for each adult cat that comes under the care of KA. Although FIV is not an automatic death sentence, it is important to identify cats with FIV and ensure potential new owners are familiar with the disease and are supported. We do discuss in great lengths, all health issues with potential adopters.

My first introduction to FIV was back in Scotland in 1991. My Cat Carra had not been well, and unbeknown to me the vet tested her and said she was FIV positive and must be put to sleep. He stated that she would infect all my other cats, and by the way could he have her body as vets needed to know more about this terrible disease that would wipe out the cat population. I promptly bid him goodbye, scooped up Carra, and started to find out as much information as I could about FIV, which at that time was not easy. Carra died at the ripe old age of 17 not of any FIV related condition but of old age.

I have three cats with FIV with me currently and one is foster. Sausage aged 17 a VERY domesticated ex feral, who is a-symptomatic. Treacle aged 6, a-symptomatic and Alice cat, aged a hundred and five! (We are not sure of her age but probably between 12-15.) Alice was diagnosed 11 years ago, Sausage 10 years ago and treacle 5.

I have an excellent vet, who will work with me, and regularly monitors their health and bloods. We also give alittle back to FIV research too.

I have them on a dietary suppliment using a recipe I was given by an FIV sanctuary in Florida, and Essiac the herbal medicine. (We have no scientific eveidence to say that ESSIAC has any medicinal properties in FIV but we use it.) Currently there are no cats on any vet medicines - you also need to be careful regarding steroids and any drug that will compromise liver/kidneys with FIV. .

However, if a cat is ill, the vet should be your first port of call. A good vet will listen to you and discuss all of your options with you.

I also had Paddy, who has since been re-homed, who was FIV positive. This was not my regular vet, and Paddy was tested against my wishes when he was taken to be neutered. The test came back positive for FIV and the vet recommended that Paddy be put to sleep! I don't know if you gain a 6th sense regarding animals, but I felt something was not right. I had him re-tested in Glasgow (As I have done with my others) and Paddy came back negative for FIV.

With a little common sense, FIV-positive cats live happily with non-FIV cats provided they all get on together and do not fight.
FIV is not transfered through bowls and food, it would take an obessive groomer and a cat with an open skin lesion to be anywhere a near risking cross infection. FIV is a very fragile virus and does not survive outside the host. Many groups have varing policies regarding re homing an FIV and will only re home as a "only cat" or to another FIV cat owner.

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FIV Research

Information with thanks to the University of Glasgow, Feline Virus Unit, Feline Health Center at Cornell University New York, Bob and Barbara Hunt of Catwork, sanctuary for FIV and FeLV's cats, and a wee bit of research done by myself over the years.

Is FIV in feral cats a death sentence? Up till now it was thought to be, however with on going research, we are seeing many positive break through's in combating FIV.

American studies show that FIV has 5 strains, 1 to 5. The strains vary in America from coast to coast, so FIV is not, as first thought just one complex.

The university of Florida has developed an effective vaccine to combat FIV. Dr Janet Yamamoto, who has developed the vaccine has been at the fore front of FIV since she first pin-pointed the virus in 1986, along with Dr Neils Pedersenin.

Further analysis has revealed that the virus has existed in the cat population since the late 1960's. For the record, Yamamoto works closely with scientists developing vaccines for human HIV...(This worries me slightly, as I have heard both good and bad points about this practice.)

The problem with the vaccine, is that vaccinated cats will show positive, after vaccination anyway. Confirming FIV is also not simple.(I still feel that a majority of vets here in Ireland and in other countries, still do not know enough about the virus. this is only my opinion) The standard in house test for FIV has proven to be flawed.

Some FIV cats produce antibodies which are not detected by the standard in house test this is called a false Negative. The sample may be contaminated which can cause a false positive.

In the early stages of infection, (less than 2 months following infection) FIV antibodies are not produced. A negative result may need to be repeated in 8-12 weeks. In kittens born to queens infected with FIV, there is transfer of antibodies from mother to kitten via the milk. These maternally derived antibodies are detected when the kittens are tested for FIV. Although all the kittens born to a queen may be antibody positive, the virus itself is usually only passed to one third of the litter or less. Maternally derived antibodies may persist for up to 4 months and in infected kittens and it may be another 2 months before they produce antibodies to the virus themselves, so kittens should not be tested until they are at least 6 months old.

A cat in the later stages of FIV, may also test negative because their immune systems are so compromised that they no longer produce detectable levels of antibodies. As I have stated, the in house tests that vets use has been proven to be flawed.

The gold standard test is the immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) used by Companion at the University of Glasgow Veterinary school and all cats tested positive by any in house test should be confirmed by this test. The IFAT has an internal negative control to avoid false positives, and if the control shows that something is wrong, a further test called the western blot is performed. This has proven to be even more accurate than the Polymerase Chain reaction test, which detects viral genetic material present in the cats circulation But again was not used by vets because of the costs.

Research at Cornell, has also proven, that cats infected with FIV for over 4 years, have also "spontaneously" tested negative. It seems in some "isolated" cases that the virus has "burned" itself out.

In a recent as yet unpublished survey, 5.5% of FIV infected cats were missed by the in-house test and 7% of in-house tests were false positives. This means the test had wrongly labelled a healthy cat as infected with FIV. (Information from the University of Glasgow)

Recent research has shown that cats infected with FIV can live just as long as uninfected cats. At the University of Glasgow, Dr Sue Duthie has been following the "fate" of 29 naturally infected cats, for the last 2 years. So far 6 have died, but not necessarily from FIV, for example one was run over, one contracted cat flu and died. Another colony of 26 cats was monitored for over 10 years. 15 of the group were FIV positive. The FIV cats lived on average 51 months in good health after diagnosis.

A french group of scientists following extensive colonies of feral cats got the same results - FIV DOES NOT SHORTEN THE LIFE EXSPECTANCY OF FERAL CATS. They are more at risk from being killed by a car. (1 in 4 cats are killed in road traffic.)

A feral cat given adequate health care including simple worming, flea treatment and a healthy diet can live a-symptomatic for as long as a non FIV cat. Would It would be ideal to vaccinate these cats?. Again the jury is still out whether you should or should not vaccinate a FIV cat.

As feral cats are predominately infected by deep bite wounds(Casual non-aggressive contact does not seem to be an efficient route of spreading FIV) spaying/neutering to stop aggression is important.

How many cats are infected with FIV?

Less than people think!. Given that the FIV virus has been around since the late 60's, complete destruction of feral communities would have been expected. There are no comprehensive figures for Ireland as yet. In the UK, 7% of feral cats may be infected (figures from feline advisory bureau) This is mainly due to the fragile nature of the virus, which cannot "live" for very long out with the body. This figure is not as high as domestic cats who have presented with other life threatening conditions to vets.

So what do we do with feral colonies? is it kinder to use euthanasia? Can we be 100% sure that we are euthanising only FIV cats? I think not, given the evidence above. I feel that the current practice of "one blood test and your dead" Would not only claim the lives of non infected cats showing a false positive, but fail to pickup "true positive" cats, hence releasing them back into the colonies to re-infect.

CURRENT IN HOUSE TESTING IS NOT CONCLUSIVE PROOF THAT A CAT IS EITHER FIV NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE!

So the question I ask is Should FIV positive rescue/feral cats be PTS? I will leave that to you to answer. These are the usual arguments for euthanasia.

The position taken by the major cat charities vary within each charity, while some cat welfare groups will euthanise all FIV cats, others will do their best to save the cat. The Celia Hammond trust, among others, myself included, is adamantly opposed to euthanasia of "healthy" FIV cats on the grounds they can lead a "normal" healthy life with adequate monitoring.

Personally, I do not feel that a cat presenting with a-symptomatic FIV should be automatically put to sleep. I have seen cats who have FIV and I have studied the complex issue enough to know what can manifest in the latter stages. So what is the answer?

Colonies of feral cats need to be monitored, of course they do, but this virus is not devastating the feline community as some would have you believe, and I do think that euthanasia is the kindest option in some cases but not in an otherwise health cat on the off chance that it could become ill years down the line.

I have had the privilege to come into contact with Bob and Barbara Hunt, who run Catwork Sanctuary for FIV and FeLV cats.

Quote from Catwork Sanctuary: "Eradicating the virus is not currently a realistic objective;putting to sleep a few individuals, identified with the virus but otherwise healthy, seems to be a futile reaction".

So in my opinion, euthanasia is not the answer, Sanctuaries are. This may be a long way in the future but some are already working towards this goal.

What can we do in the meantime? Careful monitoring of all our colonies, Neuter/Spay and return. We have colonies in Coolock, Blackrock and Rathmines, just to name a few. Individual members monitor, feed and medicate (if needed) cats belonging to these colonies. We go every second day and have local people who also feed and report back. If you can talk to the public about what you are doing and what can realistically be done for the cats, it helps our situation.

If there is any sign of ill health, that cat is trapped and taken to a vets. Some or all these cats may be FIV, I don't know, all I care is that they have food, water and are in good health. More feral cats are lost in colonies to man made dangers rather than FIV.

Please look at Bob and Barbara's web-site, to appreciate the marvelous work they do. Catwork.com and fivcats.com .