THE FIV INFORMATION in this Doctor's Bag came from Pet Care Library section of the the American Animal Hospital Association web site.

Hollywood Pet Hospital has a vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Florida and supplied by Fort Dodge to protect your cat from FIV.

Outdoor cats often become FIV infected in fights with other infected cats.

What are feline immune deficiency viruses?
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) belong to a family of viruses know as retroviruses. The most infamous retrovirus is HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in people. The major characteristic of retroviruses is that they decrease the ability of the immune system to fight infections.

Humans and dogs cannot catch FIV or FeLV or develop AIDS through exposure to FIV-positive or FeLV-positive cats. Only cats are susceptible to these diseases.

How do cats get FIV or FeLV?
Most cats become infected with FIV when they are bitten while fighting with an infected cat. The virus, present in the saliva of infected cats, passes beneath the skin of the victim when he is bitten. FIV is not spread by casual contact between cats (by sharing food and water bowls or litter pans, by airborne germs or by mutual grooming) it is unusual for cats in the same household to spread the disease to each other unless they fight.

FeLV is spread through contact with saliva, urine, or blood. Also, an infected mother cat can pass the virus to her kittens before they are born or through her milk while nursing.

Most FIV-positive cats have a history of cat fights and bite-wound abscesses. Considering that bites are the primary mode of transmission, it is not surprising that cats at greatest risk of FIV infection are outdoor, adult males who are most likely to engage in aggressive fights over territory.

Sexual transmission of FIV is theoretically possible. However, the actual incidence of sexual transmission is unknown. This possibility can be greatly reduced by early neutering or spaying.

How do I know if my cat has FIV?
In most cases, there is no way to know whether your cat has FIV without a blood test. All kittens and cats should be tested to determine if they are infected, even if they show no physical signs of disease.

FIV infection progresses slowly, with a long interval between initial exposure and the onset of signs of the disease. Cats diagnosed with FIV infection may remain free of symptoms for years.

Because their immune systems are compromised, FIV-positive cats often develop illnesses that are unrelated to the virus itself. It is the onset of these illnesses that may be the first indication a cat is immunosuppressed, thus raising suspicions of an underlying retroviral infection.

Common health problems reported in cats in the chronic stage of FIV infection include:

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Oral-cavity infections Upper-respiratory infections Weight loss Skin infections Ear infections Fever of unknown origin Enlarged lymph nodes Low red- or white-blood-cell counts Kidney disease Eye disease Reproductive failure, such as spontaneous abortions or stillbirths Neurologic disease, such as personality changes, tremors, or seizures