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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Bite wounds provide the major mode of transmission for feline immunodeficiency virus. Kittens can be infected prior to birth or by suckling an infected Queen. Four stages of infection have been determined:
During the acute phase, signs may consist only of swelling of the glands. As an asymptomatic carrier (stage 2), the cat is usually free of clinical disease. In later stages, signs include weight loss, persistent diarrhoea, gum inflammation, chronic respiratory disease, lymphadenopathy, and chronic skin disease. Profound oral/dental disease is a common finding in the late stages of FIV; in some cats, the gum mucosa and tongue become ulcerated and necrotic. Neurologic dysfunction has been seen in a small percentage of infected cats. Inflammatory eye disease, renal disease, and cancerous disorders are occasionally reported. Chronic disease states and seemingly minor infections that do not respond well to treatment should alert to the possibility of FIV infection. Antibody tests can be carried out by most practices to confirm infection. Routine blood haematology tests may have changes which will be strongly suspicious of FIV infection The relative difficulty of recovering virus from blood cells and body fluids varies with the stage of infection. Maternal FIV antibody may cause kittens to have a positive test result for up to 4 months after birth. Positive kittens should be retested after 6 months of age. No specific antiviral treatment is available for FIV infected cats. Therapy is aimed at symptomatic treatment for complicating factors. Special care should be taken with monitoring infected cats and treating any illnesses early. In the later stages of FIV opportunistic infections are common. The prognosis is variable and dependent upon clinical stage at diagnosis. In the late stages the longer term prognosis becomes very poor. |
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