FeLV / FIV Cat Questions
What is FeLV?
CLICK HERE for info from Alley Cat Allies.
What is FIV?
CLICK HERE for information from Alley Cat Allies.
Should I test cats in my feral cat colony for FeLV / FIV?
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A cat in the initial stage of FeLV infection may test negative. -
A cat exposed to FeLV may test positive during the transient phase of the infection and then test negative if the virus is overcome. -
Tests are not 100 percent accurate and can yield false positive results.
Do you have information on how to manage FIV / FeLV?
An excellent guide to FIV / FeLV management from the American Association of Feline Practitioners can be found HERE.
Can my cat test positive for FeLV / FIV and then later test negative?
Absolutely. Especially in kittens under 16 weeks old, a false positive is hiughly possible due to the antibodies ingested from nursing kittens from the mother. In addition, if a cat was given a FeLV vaccine, they are likely to test positive for FeLV even though do not have the disease.
What are the signs and symptoms of FeLV?
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Loss of appetite -
Slow but progressive weight loss, followed by severe wasting late in the disease process -
Poor coat condition -
Enlarged lymph nodes -
Persistent fever -
Pale gums and other mucus membranes -
Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and mouth (stomatitis) -
Infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and upper respiratory tract -
Persistent diarrhea -
Seizures, behavior changes, and other neurological disorders -
A variety of eye conditions -
In unspayed female cats, miscarriage of kittens, or other reproductive failures
What are the signs and symptoms of FIV?
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Recurrent minor illnesses, especially with upper respiratory and gastrointestinal signs
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Mild to moderately enlarged lymph nodes
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Inflammation of the gums and oral tissues
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Upper respiratory tract disease—including inflammation of the nose and eyelid tissues
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Eye disease—including inflammation of the cornea and iris, and glaucoma
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Long-term (chronic) kidney insufficiency and disease
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Persistent diarrhea
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Long-term, nonresponsive or recurrent infections of the external ear and skin resulting from bacterial or fungal infections
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Fever, weight loss and weakness, especially in advanced stages of FIV disease
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Cancer—particularly lymphoma, which is a cancer of the white blood cells formed in lymphoid tissues throughout the body
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Nervous system abnormalities—including abnormal sleep pattern, behavioral changes (such as pacing and aggression) and changes in vision and hearing
How is FeLV and FIV spread from cat to cat?
FIV is mainly passed from cat to cat through deep bite wounds, the kind that usually occur outdoors during aggressive fights and territorial disputes-the perfect reason to keep your cat inside. Another, less common mode of transmission is from an FIV-infected mother cat to her kitten.
How long can a cat who tests positive for FeLV or FIV live?
Felv/FIV cats can live 22 years (*just as long as cats who test *negative* for FeLV/FIV)