Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are the two retroviruses that suppress the immune system of cats. They look similar on paper but behave differently: FIV spreads mainly by bite wounds and often allows a long, nearly normal life, while FeLV spreads by close contact and in its progressive form shortens life. Chediak-Higashi syndrome, a rare inherited disorder of Persian cats, is the other immune defect to know.
Key facts
Immunodeficiency at a glance- Species and system: cat; hemic, lymphatic and immune.
- FIV: a lentivirus (complex genome), related to HIV but infecting only cats. Spread chiefly by bites that introduce saliva and infected white cells.
- FeLV: a gammaretrovirus with a simple genome (gag, pol, env). Spread by prolonged close contact, saliva, shared dishes and litter, and from queen to kitten.
- Classic presentations: FIV - outdoor adult male with a fight history and stomatitis; FeLV - young cat with non-regenerative anemia, lymphoma or opportunistic infection.
- Tests: FIV antibody; FeLV p27 antigen. PCR helps in doubtful cases.
- Zoonotic or reportable: FIV does not infect people; neither virus is considered a zoonosis.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Chediak-Higashi syndrome
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 3 self-test questions and 5 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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