Your Cat May Be At Risk

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FELV) are leading causes of illness and death in cats. FIV is the feline form of HIV. FIV only infects cats and is not transmissible to people. Both viruses affect cats in similar ways, and both can be deadly. Simply put, all cats are at risk. Even "indoor" cats should be tested to rule out the possibility of infection.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) urges all cat owners to have their cats tested for FIV and FELV, especially at-risk cats, sick cats and kittens. Early detection of infection will enable you to manage the disease, maintain the health of your cat, and will also help prevent the spread of infection to other cats.

What are the dangers of FIV and FELV?

• Found in every region of the United States
• Highly contagious
• Transmitted from cat to cat
• Can be fatal
• Few outward signs, and no "sure" signs
• Associated with illness and death of more cats that any other disease
• Weaken a cat's immune system

What are the risk factors?

• Fighting
• Time outdoors
• Contact with other cats (boarding, screen windows open in summer time)
• Newly adopted
• Sickness

Without testing, there is no way to know whether your cat is infected. Without a diagnosis, your cat cannot be treated properly. If you do not know the status of your cat, it may carry and possibly spread the disease to other cats.

What are the signs?
There are no "sure" signs of either disease. In some cats, signs don't appear for weeks, months or even years after they are infected.

Infected cats can show any of these signs

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Bite wounds
• Infected wounds
• Not drinking water
• Fever
• Bleeding or pale gums
• Behavioral changes
• Grooming changes
• Dull or matted coat
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Mouth sores

What if my cat does have these diseases?
You and your veterinarian will have to carefully assess the health of the cat and develop a management plan to keep the infection down.

31 million cats are at risk for FIV each year and only 11% of cats at risk for FIV/FELV are tested.

If you answer yes to any of the below questions, consider having your cat tested:

• Has your cat had a bite wound?
• Has your cat been outside for even a brief period of time?
• Has your cat been exposed to any other cat whose status is unknown?

Cats are tested for FIV/FELV with a simple blood test that takes 20 minutes to run.