Feline AIDS: Symptoms and What You Need to Know

What is Feline AIDS?

Feline AIDS, officially known as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), is a contagious disease among cats caused by lentiviruses. It is transmitted through direct contact with infected cats but does not pose a risk to humans, dogs, or other animals. Similar to human AIDS, FIV can compromise a cat's immune system. Infected cats may exhibit symptoms such as oral ulcers, tooth pain, weight loss, decreased appetite, and fever.

Although China is relatively new to pet healthcare and lacks clinical data, international statistics show that the prevalence of FIV in healthy cats ranges from about 1% to 15%, while the infection rate in sick cats is approximately 3% to 44%. Australia has the highest infection rate, reaching 26%, which is closely related to the region's warm and humid climate.

How Do Cats Get FIV?

Cats typically contract FIV through bites from infected cats, with the virus entering the wound. The virus can also be transmitted through milk, placenta, saliva, and reproductive systems.

Testing for Feline AIDS

Testing for FIV in cats is relatively straightforward:

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC): This simple test checks for abnormalities in platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes in the blood. Cats with FIV often show deviations from normal values.

2. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Testing: PCR is a highly efficient, sensitive, and accurate molecular biology technique that can amplify DNA to millions of times its original size. It is currently the best method for diagnosing FIV.

How to Be a Responsible Cat Owner

1. Prevention: Keep your cat indoors and avoid allowing it to fight with unvaccinated cats. If a new cat is introduced to a group of cats, especially if it has been diagnosed with FIV, it's important to prevent territorial disputes that could increase the risk of FIV transmission.

2. Testing: The only clinical method to diagnose FIV is a simple blood test that takes only three drops of blood and ten minutes. However, falsepositive results can occur, so a veterinarian must carefully interpret the results. If a positive result is detected, it's important to retest after a period of time, as some cats may not produce antibodies for up to a year after infection, and some severely ill cats may have very low antibody levels or even be antibodynegative due to complete immune suppression caused by FIV.

3. Treatment: Once a cat is diagnosed with FIV, veterinary care can only manage secondary infections and alleviate symptoms. However, recent research has shown promising results in controlling or treating FIV, with some institutions claiming success. As owners, the best we can do is to provide loving care, as FIVpositive cats are not much different from healthy cats, except for the need for extra affection.

Understanding Feline AIDS

"Cats can get AIDS? Will I catch it if I'm scratched by an AIDS cat?" Many people are surprised to learn about feline AIDS and may have concerns. However, FIVpositive cats cannot transmit the virus to humans or dogs. We are educating about FIV to address misunderstandings and fears that can lead to discrimination or abandonment. While there is no vaccine to prevent FIV, the mortality rate for cats infected with FIV is actually quite low, and most infected cats can live a normal lifespan, with some even remaining asymptomatic for their entire lives.

So, don't be frightened by the term "Feline AIDS." These cats are no different from other cats and deserve love and understanding. Let's eliminate biases and provide these cats with the care they need.