## The "Two AIDS" of Cats

There are two viruses commonly referred to as "cat AIDS":
- **FIV**: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
- **FeLV**: Feline Leukemia Virus.

They are **two different viruses**, each with specific characteristics, but both compromise the immune system, often leading to the cat's death.

In Italy, it is estimated that:
- **2-5%** of indoor cats are FIV+.
- **1-3%** are FeLV+.
- **5-15%** of stray cats are positive for one or both.

Let's look at the differences and how to protect your cat.

## FIV: Feline AIDS

**Scientific name**: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

**Class**: retrovirus (like human HIV).

**History**: discovered in 1986. A cousin of HIV but **NOT transmissible to humans**.

### How It Spreads

**Main transmission**: bites between cats during fights.

- Saliva from an infected cat transmitted into the bloodstream of a healthy cat through a bite wound.
- Unneutered male cats = maximum risk (they fight a lot).
- Transmission **from mother cat to kittens**: rare.
- **Sexual transmission**: occasional.

**NOT transmitted**:
- Through shared bowls (occasionally).
- With casual mutual grooming.
- Through normal daily life between cats.

### Symptoms

**Early stage (months-years)**:
- The cat may appear perfectly healthy.

**Intermediate stage**:
- Frequent respiratory infections.
- Chronic gingivitis.
- Recurrent diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
- Swollen lymph nodes.

**Advanced stage (full-blown AIDS)**:
- Severe opportunistic infections.
- Tumors.
- Anemia.
- Death from secondary diseases.

### Life Expectancy

An FIV+ cat can live **5-10 years** with good care. Some have a nearly normal life expectancy.

**Factors that improve life expectancy**:
- Indoor living (reduces stress + infections).
- High-quality food.
- Regular veterinary care.
- Neutering (reduces fighting).

## FeLV: Feline Leukemia

**Scientific name**: Feline Leukemia Virus.

**Class**: retrovirus different from FIV.

### How It Spreads

**Transmission**:
- **Saliva** primarily (mutual grooming, sharing bowls).
- **Blood** (bites).
- **Urine, feces**.
- **From mother to fetus** (transplacental).
- **Breast milk**.

**More contagious** than FIV: just normal contacts between cats are enough.

### Symptoms

**Early stage**:
- Often asymptomatic for months.
- Possible "non-specific" symptoms.

**Intermediate stage**:
- Anemia.
- Progressive weight loss.
- Lethargy.
- Intermittent fever.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Loss of appetite.

**Advanced stage**:
- **Lymphoma** (the main tumor of FeLV).
- **Myeloid leukemia**.
- Kidney failure.
- Severe anemia.
- Opportunistic infections.

### Life Expectancy

More severe than FIV: **2-5 years** from diagnosis on average.

Some cats experience spontaneous regression of the virus (rare).

## Key Differences: FIV vs FeLV

| Aspect | FIV | FeLV |
|---------|-----|------|
| Main transmission | Bites | Saliva |
| Life expectancy | 5-10 years | 2-5 years |
| Vaccine available | Yes (limited) | Yes (widely used) |
| Transmissible to humans | No | No |
| Specific test | SNAP combo | SNAP combo |
| Coexistence with healthy cats | Possible (managed) | Difficult |

## The Test

**SNAP combo FIV/FeLV test**:
- Rapid test at the veterinary clinic.
- 10-15 minutes.
- From a small drop of blood.
- **Cost**: €30-50.

**When to test**:
- **Before** vaccinating for FeLV.
- At the **adoption** of a new cat.
- After a **possible contact** (fights, contact with strays).
- Annually for cats that go outside.

**Important**:
- **FIV**: antibodies appear 8-12 weeks after infection. Testing earlier = false negative.
- **FeLV**: detectable more quickly.

## FeLV Prevention: Vaccination

**FeLV vaccine** is available and effective.

**Schedule**:
- First dose at 8-9 weeks.
- Second dose at 12 weeks.
- Annual (or triennial based on new guidelines).

**Mandatory pre-vaccination test**: vaccinating an already infected cat makes no sense.

**Effectiveness**: 85-95%.

**Indicated for**:
- Cats that go outside.
- Cats in homes with other positive cats.
- Cats in boarding.
- Kittens (before loss of maternal immunity).

## FIV Prevention: Limited

**FIV vaccine** exists but:
- Limited effectiveness.
- Causes **antibodies that can falsify** subsequent tests.
- **Not recommended** in many countries.

**Best prevention**:
- **Neutering** (reduces fighting).
- **Indoor living** (no contact with stray cats).
- **Pre-introduction tests** for new cats.

## What to Do If Your Cat Is Positive

### FIV+ Diagnosis

**1. Confirm diagnosis**:
- Specific PCR test (more accurate).
- Complete blood tests.

**2. Modified living**:
- **Absolute indoor living** (for their protection + others).
- **Stress reduction** (cortisol lowers immunity).
- **High-quality diet**.

**3. Veterinary visits**:
- Minimum every 6 months.
- Complete blood tests.
- Immediate treatment for any infections.

**4. Coexistence with other cats**:
- **Possible** with vaccinated FeLV cats and monitoring.
- Cats that live in peace (no fighting).
- Separate bowls, litter boxes.

### FeLV+ Diagnosis

**1. Confirm diagnosis**:
- Repeat test after 60 days (some cats eliminate the virus).
- PCR for confirmation.

**2. Modified living**:
- **Only indoor**.
- High-quality food.
- Stress reduction.

**3. Veterinary visits**:
- Every 3-4 months.
- Frequent monitoring for anemia, tumors.

**4. Coexistence with healthy cats**:
- **Difficult**.
- Same environment possible if healthy cats are **vaccinated and adult**.
- Not with kittens (more vulnerable).
- Ideally: FeLV+ cat in the house with other FeLV+ cats or alone.

## Available Therapy

**To reduce viral load**:
- **Interferon** (omega): immunomodulator, expensive.
- **AZT** (antiviral): in specific cases.

**To manage complications**:
- Antibiotics for infections.
- Anti-inflammatories for stomatitis.
- Therapy for anemia.
- Transfusions in severe cases.

**There is no cure**: only management.

## The Dramatic Story

Real case: cat found stray, asymptomatic. Test FeLV+. Indoor lifestyle, top food, peaceful life.

Life: 4 years of apparent normality. Then developed lymphoma. Survived another 6 months with palliative chemotherapy.

Total cost: veterinary care €3,000-5,000.

Emotional cost: significant.

**Preventive protection** (vaccination, pre-adoption testing) could have avoided everything.

## Debunking Myths

**Myth 1**: "FIV is transmissible to humans."
**False**: no risk to humans.

**Myth 2**: "An FIV+ cat must be euthanized."
**Absolutely not**: can live years of a peaceful life.

**Myth 3**: "FeLV spontaneously clears."
**Partially true**: some cats clear the virus (30%), but most do not.

**Myth 4**: "Only stray cats can have them."
**False**: also indoor cats, if exposed.

**Myth 5**: "One test is enough."
**False**: repeated tests if there is a risk of exposure.

## Ethical Management

Adopting an FIV+ or FeLV+ cat is **possible** and **ethical** if:
- You are informed.
- You have the capacity for long-term management.
- You have a veterinary budget.
- You have a suitable home (no other cats, or only positive ones).

Many positive cats end up being euthanized because "**nobody wants them**." They are often sweet cats, healthy for years, looking for a family.

Consider informed adoption.

## The Truth

FIV and FeLV are **manageable but serious** diseases.

**Prevention**:
- Neutering (reduces fighting).
- FeLV vaccination (effective).
- Indoor living (reduces exposure).
- Pre-introduction tests for new cats.

**Management if positive**:
- It is not an immediate death sentence.
- Careful management = years of life.
- Ethical: adopt positives that nobody wants.

Know, prevent, manage. Your cat will live well.