Since your last visit to our clinic, has your cat been outside? Been exposed to a cat with unknown history? Or been in a cat fight? Or have you recently adopted a new kitten? If yes, your cat should be tested for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). 

What is the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus?

FIV is a virus which attacks your cat's immune system, making them susceptible to infections and disease which would not normally affect a healthy cat. There is no cure and vaccination is controversial. An infected cat may live for many years without any signs of illness.

What is the Feline Leukemia Virus?

FeLV is a retrovirus, which can potentially affect any organ system by destroying the immune system. It is the leading cause of death in cats in North America. After infection, a cat may not show any symptoms for months to years.

Which cats are most at risk for infection with FIV or FeLV?

Cats living with infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status; Cats allowed outdoors unsupervised, where they may be bitten by an infected cat; Kittens born to infected mothers.

How can my cat be tested for FIV and FeLV?

Your cat may be tested for both diseases with one blood test. We draw approximately 1 mL of blood from your cat, and run a snap test. The results are ready in only 10 minutes. Without testing, there is no way of knowing whether or not your cat is infected, until it is too late. Not knowing the status of your cat, may lead to the spread of the disease to other cats.

When should my cat be tested for FIV and FeLV?

A cat with an unknown history should be tested around 6 months of age.  Testing at the time of spay or neuter is most convenient to owners, as pre-surgical blood work is also done at this time. Sometimes, cats may be tested earlier if they are ill.
 
How are FIV and FeLV transmitted?

FIV and FeLV are highly contagious viruses that may be transmitted from cat to cat. FIV is spread mostly via a bite from one cat to another. FeLV is spread via contact with the saliva or urine of an infected cat (i.e. grooming one another, or sharing litter boxes or food and water dishes).

What are the clinical signs of FIV and FeLV?

Both diseases can present with a number of different clinical signs, and both may result in death. Some clinical signs include vomiting and diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, weakness, fever, dull coat, mouth sores or sore gums, swollen lymph nodes, behavioral changes, bite wounds (may be infected), or changes in grooming habits.

Various types of cancer and blood diseases are common in cats infected with either of these viruses.

Cats may not show signs for weeks, months, or even years after they become infected.
Some surveys show that up to 15% of sick cats are infected with one of these viruses.

FIV and FeLV are associated with illness and death of more cats than any other disease.

How can I protect my cat from FIV or FeLV?

The only sure way to protect cats is to prevent their exposure to FeLV-infected cats. Most kittens should be vaccinated for FeLV in their kitten vaccine series. Annual vaccination for FeLV will be left to the discretion of you veterinarian, given your cats lifestyle and level of risk. The decision of whether or not to vaccinate your cat for FIV is also made on an individual basis. 

Other tips for preventing exposure:
Keep cats indoors, away from potentially infected cats that might bite them. If you do allow your cats outdoor access, provide supervision or place them in a secure enclosure to prevent wandering and fighting.
Adopt only infection-free cats into households with uninfected cats.
House infection-free cats separately from infected cats, and don't allow infected cats to share food and water bowls or litter boxes with uninfected cats.

I just discovered that one of my cats has FeLV, yet I have other cats as well. What should I do?
Unfortunately, many FeLV-infected cats are not diagnosed until after they have lived with other cats. In such cases, all other cats in the household should be tested for FeLV. Ideally, infected and non-infected cats should then be separated to eliminate the potential for FeLV transmission