FIV Flashcards
FIV risk factors; what animals are most susceptible
- High risk in free roaming cats, with fighting/biting behaviour
- Can infect all cats but males 2x more likely to be infected than females
- Adult infection more common than infection in kittens
- No breed predilection
- Highest risked: adult, male, sexually intact, free roaming/no fixed address ‘stray’ or ‘community cats’
FIV transmission
- through saliva & blood
> therefore most commonly through fighting / bite wounds and possibly in the process of mating - experimentally also in utero and via milk but not common in natural setting
FIV environmental survival
- highly susceptible to dessication, disinfectants, and heat
> only survives for minutes outside the cat, therefore environmental contamination is not a significant risk
FIV clinical presentation
- clinical signs are rarely caused by FIV alone
- most clinical signs are due to secondary infections or neoplastic disease
why are cats usually tested for FIV?
- usually tested because presented with some other disease, or a stray, or for re-homing purposes, or as a screening for admission to a shelter
Clinical presentation
- commonly unremarkable
- gingivostomatitis and stomatitis are the most common findings > “faucitis”
- findings may be related to neoplasia (eg. lymphoma -> lymphadomegaly
- Rarely CNS signs, eg. seizures, behaviour changes, paresis
FIV diagnosis; CBC, biochem, UA results
→ CBC, serum chemistry, UA:
- generally unremarkable unless there is concurrent secondary or unrelated ds (eg. renal ds)
- later stages - may get lymphopenia (replication of virus in lymphocytes and macrophages) or hyperglobulinemia (increased immune mediate response)
FIV screening test of choice
→ screening test / point of care test of choice: ELISA test for detection of FIV antibodies in serum, plasma, or whole blood
ELISA testing outcomes: what does a negative result mean?
Negative: highly reliable in an area with low prevalence (eg. Canada)
False negative: is possible where a cat has not yet produced antibodies. Up to 6-8 weeks is required to produce antibodies. So, if ELISA negative but you are still suspicious -> test again in 8 weeks time.
ELISA testing outcomes; what does a positive test mean?
Positive: indicates cat has been exposed to FIV and may have an active infection
False positive option 1: presence of maternal antibodies if queen is infected or has been vaccinated with FIV vaccine -> detected up to 6 months of age. Test kitten again after 6 months old if you think this is the case!
False positive option 2: possible in case if previously vaccinated with FIV. SNAP and VetScan tests will show positive in FIV vaccinated cats. Antigen and Witness tests will have no interference in FIV vaccinated cats if vaccination occurred more than 6 months before testing.
NOTE: In N. America FIV vaccines manufactured between 2005-2015 used an inactivated whole virus vaccine
>cats vaccinated with this type of vaccine can test positive on an FIV-antibody test. FIV vaccine is classified as non-core…
treatment and management: healthy FIV +vs scenario:
- Goal: keep FIV +ve cat safe and keep other cats safe!
- indoor only, ideally single cat household
- vaccinated with core vaccines only if needed - case by case basis
- regular ecto- and endo- parasite prophylaxis (eg. Milbemax + Advantage Multi)
- Neuter / spay if not already done
- Avoid feeding raw meat, milk or eggs to reduce risk of food borne pathogens
treatment and management: FIV +ve with secondary infection or concurrent disease scenario
- all the same recommendation for the healthy +vs cat, plus…
- treat all visible and known infections
- perform COHAT and remove decayed teeth > try to ensure all tooth roots are removed!
- Use appropriate antibiotics (eg. amoxycillin +/- clavulanic acid, clindamycin) BUT avoid the use of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs
- Anti-viral drugs may be necessary if infections not controlled
FIV prognosis and outcome? how can we ensure best outcomes?
- Will likely live out normal life with excellent quality of life!
- Regular (6 monthly) check ups to ensure no secondary infection or concurrent disease
- Client/family participation and education is key!
FIV Implications for your clients and other cats
- Every cat in the household should be tested for FIV
- Avoid housing FIV (+ve) cat with cats that have known contagious disease (e.g. cat flu/FelineURTI) or with FIV (–ve) cats
- Commitment to diligent monitoring and regular check ups
- Indoor cat, enrichment of indoor spaces
