Feline leukemia (FeLV) & feline aids (FIV) are two common diseases in cats. They are both caused by viruses which are similar to the human HIV virus.
Humans and dogs cannot catch FIV or FeLV through exposure to FIV-positive or FeLV –positive cats
. Only cats are susceptible to these diseases.
Can FIV be spread through water bowls?
FIV typically does NOT spread through cats grooming each other, sharing food and water bowls
, or sharing a litter box.
Can FIV and FeLV be transmitted to dogs?
It cannot be transmitted to other species (including humans), so
FIV-positive cats may live with dogs
, birds, pocket pets, etc. FIV is transmitted via saliva between cats that fight and bite their competition.
How long do cats with FIV live?
Cats infected with FIV may live for
months or years
. On average, life expectancy is 5 years from the time of diagnosis depending on how active the infection is. There is a FIV vaccination given twice initially, then yearly thereafter for outside cats or cats exposed to outside cats due to the potential of cat bites.
Can FIV cats be around other cats?
(
FIV-positive cats can live with other cats who don’t have FIV as long as they get along and don’t fight, causing bite wounds
.) But for community cats, there is no need to test them for FIV and FeLV. The American Association of Feline Practitioners also doesn’t recommend testing community cats for these viruses.
Can a cat with feline leukemia live with other cats?
Cats who are positive for the feline leukemia virus require special considerations. They can live with other species (dogs, bunnies and so on), but
must be an only cat or live with other felines who have the disease
.
How contagious is FIV in cats?
Dr. Woyma explains, “Unlike HIV, it [FIV] is not typically spread through sexual contact and also
very rarely transmitted from a mother cat to her kittens
.” FIV is also rarely transmitted through casual contact, like sharing food bowls and litter boxes, social grooming, and sneezing.
Can cats clear FIV?
Unfortunately,
there is currently no definitive cure for FIV
. However, it is important to realize that while it is impossible to predict the survival of a given cat infected with FIV, cats infected with FIV can live very normal, healthy lives for many years if managed appropriately.
Why can’t FIV cats go outside?
There are two main reasons put forward for the policy: that
outside, an FIV cat would pick up infections from neighbouring cats; and that the FIV cat could spread the virus to the neighbouring cats
.
Do cats with FIV have to be put down?
Cats infected with FIV should never be euthanized, unless they are actually experiencing a severe, debilitating illness that cannot be treated
(as we would with any other cat).
Can humans get FIV from cats?
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is an often misunderstood condition. FIV is a lentivirus, which means it moves very slowly, and it gradually affects a cat’s immune system. It is passed from cat to cat through blood transfusions and serious, penetrating bite wounds.
FIV cannot be transmitted to humans
.
Is it expensive to have a cat with FIV?
Treatment for the feline immunodeficiency virus is quite expensive. According to estimates, the cost range from
$150 to $2,000 per treatment
.
Is FIV a death sentence?
Although it can be fatal if left untreated, a positive test for FIV is not a mandatory death sentence for your pet
. With a high-protein diet and aggressive treatment of secondary infections, an FIV-positive cat can lead a reasonably normal life for a number of years after diagnosis.
Can you mix FIV and non FIV cats?
Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine conducted a long-term study in cat shelters and drew two conclusions:
FIV-positive cats can live with FIV-negative cats
and not infect the FIV-negative cats during normal day-to-day interaction; and mother cats infected with FIV don’t pass the virus on to their kittens …
Do cats with FIV sleep more?
FIV-infected cats spent 50% more time awake than the sham-inoculated controls and
exhibited many more sleep/waking stage shifts
–i.e., 40% more than controls. In addition, FIV-infected cats showed approximately 30% of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep reduction compared to controls.
Can dogs catch feline leukemia?
How Feline Leukemia Virus Is Transmitted. Feline leukemia is a disease that only affects cats —
it cannot be transmitted to people, dogs, or other animals
.
How did my indoor cat get feline leukemia?
How Can My Cat Get Feline Leukemia?
FeLV is transmitted from other infected cats “shedding” the virus
— a time when the virus is replicating in the body and released into the environment through their saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk.
Should you euthanize a cat with feline leukemia?
Best Practices for Veterinarians and Animal Shelters
A cat who tests positive for FeLV at a veterinary clinic or shelter should not be euthanized unless she is already ill or suffering beyond what can be treated
. FeLV testing should be done with a plan to help the cat if she tests positive, not to end her life.
What does having an FIV cat mean?
Being FIV-positive means that
the cat has antibodies that have been exposed to the virus
, although it can take years, if ever, before the cat develops any FIV infection and clinical signs referred to as Feline AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome of Cats). If a cat has FIV, it does not necessarily have Feline AIDS.
How do you tell if a cat has FIV?
- Weight loss.
- Recurrent fever.
- Lethargy.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Gingivitis and stomatitis (inflammation of the gums and mouth)
- Chronic or recurrent respiratory, ocular and intestinal disease.
- Chronic skin disease.
