Signs & Symptoms - ARPA - Animal Rescue Professional Association

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Signs and Symptoms

The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a virus that lowers the immune system of cats, making them more susceptible to other infections and disorders. The virus is also referred to as cat AIDS or cat HIV as it displays a similar effect on cats. FIV-positive cats may not show signs of illness for several years after the first infection.

Affected cats will typically experience periods of no symptoms followed by sporadic bursts that gradually worsen over time. The virus is slow-acting. Unfortunately, once the sickness takes hold, a cat’s immune system will be severely compromised. As a result, the cat becomes prone to a variety of secondary infections.

There is no specific set of symptoms for FIV. However, there are specific common markers of sickness to look for.

What It Looks Like

FIV-infected cats may not show any signs of illness for several years after the initial infection has occurred. Although the virus takes time to cause serious effects, a cat’s immune system is severely impaired almost immediately.

It is possible that the virus, during the first few weeks following the infection, will weaken the immune system. It typically presents itself as fever and swollen lymph nodes. There may be a certain period where the cat does not show any symptoms, only to be followed by another spurt of sickness.

Potential FIV Symptoms

Here are FIV symptoms to look out for:

Fever
Loss of Weight
Poor Appetite
Wounds that do not heal
Anemia
Lethargy
Sneezing
Dishevelled Coat or Skin Redness
Loss of Hair
Enlarged Lymph Nodes
Eye inflammation (Conjunctivitis)
Neurological Disease
Dental Disease
Inflammation of the mouth or gums (Stomatitis/Gingivitis)
Change in Behavior
Nasal Discharge
Diarrhea or Frequent Urination
Eye Secretions

Several of the mentioned medical indications are also symptoms of Feline Leukemia, another cat-only infectious disease transmitted through saliva. It would be best to bring them to a veterinarian immediately upon noticing these symptoms to know what virus your cat had picked up and how to treat it.

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose FIV, blood samples are tested and analyzed for the presence of antibodies to the virus. There are instances when a cat does not have enough time to develop an immune response after the initial infection. It is also possible that it is unable to produce one due to immunosuppression. As a consequence, antibodies may not be detected and found even though the feline is sick. Consulting a veterinarian would be best to confirm an FIV diagnosis.

No test on FIV is 100% accurate and reliable. Your veterinarian, however, can interpret test results and make a more informed decision about whether or not additional testing is required, or if the positive or negative test result can be confirmed by other means. Veterinarians can identify antibodies using a variety of approaches, some of which are listed in this section.

Immunofluorescence (IFA) Assays

In detecting FIV antibodies, an Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) is the test of choice. There are several advantages to using this test, including its high specificity and sensitivity, making it a valuable diagnostic tool for the virus. This test could also diagnose a variety of viral and infectious disorders, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and it is just as successful and effective as a Western Blot Analysis in some cases and aspects. A cat’s blood sample is necessary to carry out the test. The sample will be placed on a substrate, such as a tissue that carries the antigen. It is combined with a special serum, and if the virus is present, the antibody in the serum will bind to the antigen (Vetstream).

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Test

ELISA is an abbreviation for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It is a test that can detect feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in cats. The ELISA test can identify specific antiviral antibodies that are present in the bloodstream of a feline. A Western Blot Test is usually performed after this test since the results can sometimes be misleading.

Western Blot

When it comes to FIV testing, a Western Blot Test is considered the “gold standard.” Western Blotting is a technique that separates proteins in the blood. It can identify specific proteins, as well as the presence of FIV antibodies. This test usually follows ELISA testing since an ELISA test has the potential to yield false-positive results. If the Western Blot gives a positive result, you can assume that the cat has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

Top 5 FAQs

How is FIV similar to HIV?

FIV is characterized by the presence of a particular protein that is also detected in HIV. The viruses are both capable of attacking the immune system of their hosts. However, each virus is exclusive to a particular species.

How long will an FIV infected cat live?

FIV cat parents can put their minds at ease as FIV-positive cats can have a long and healthy life — as long as they follow the health advice of the veterinarians. Unfortunately, though, due to the weakened immune system of infected cats, they are more susceptible and prone to secondary infections. A secondary disease has the potential to become severe and even fatal.

Can FIV be transmitted through saliva?

Yes. The principal method of transmission of FIV is through aggressive fighting, bites, and deep wounds. The still-wet saliva containing the live virus is efficiently delivered through the skin and into direct contact with the blood of the other cat.

Can FIV cause seizures?

Some infected cats may experience seizures and other neurological disorders as a result of their infection.

Can FIV be passed to dogs?

No. FIV can only affect cats, even if it enters the body through a bite wound.