FelV, FIV, and FIP transmission...?

Question

My cat is showing symptoms of these three viruses/diseases.

However, I am perplexed about how they might have acquired it.

Can a cat acquire these viruses/diseases by being exposed to dirt or bacteria, ie. by licking contanimted surfaces such as toilet bowls, countertops, etc.?

Or is cat-to-cat transmission the only way a cat can acquire these viruses/diseases, ie. from another cat?

I have two cats, but they are both indoor pets (have never been outside at all unless they were in cages/carriers), and the other cat seems to be acting somewhat normal.

Answer 1

Most vets can test for FeLV and FIV in house. They are spread from cat to cat contact and do not live in the environment. FeLV can be spread from licking or sharing bowls, or litter boxes. FIV usually requires a bite. They can be spread by breeding. The mother cat can pass the virus to the kittens, and it can show up years later. FIP is very contagious, and is usually transmitted in stressful environments where there are a large number of cats living closely together. What makes you think your cats have one of these diseases? Symptoms are very variable.

Answer 2

The Felv and the FIV are not highly contagious, usually spread by cat bites from infected cats. Unspayed and unneutered cats are at the highest risk as the mating process frequently includes fights and biting. Mother cats can transmit the diseases to their kittens.

FIP is a mutated corona virus. Many cats have corona viruses in their systems which do not affect their health.

At www. littlebigcat.com Dr. Jean Hofve has an article in the article library "Living with FIV". In her newsletter archives, Vol 4, #4, May 2006 is an article on FIP. Surprisingly to me, she has not done an article on Feline leukemia.

None of these viruses can live more than twenty-four hours in the environment so they are not in dirt and are not bacterial infections.

Symptoms are just symptoms and it takes testing and a determination by a veterinarian to confirm that a cat has these diseases. They cannot test for the FIP because so many cats have the corona virus and are not diseased.

Answer 3

You can not diagnose a virus or parasite infection on symptoms alone, because there are a variety of symptoms that are similar to other illnesses and vary from feline to feline depending on the case. Test must be performed for accurate diagnosis. I wouldn't wait because during the first 4-12 weeks of infection some viruses can be eliminated; like FeLV it can be eliminated before it gets to the bone marrow, however once in the marrow it is carried for life. The testing is worth doing on a regular basis (annually or as required) because once exposed signs and symptoms may not show for months or even years. If you would like to research this and put your mind at ease go to www.fabcats.org there is alot of info on feline care and feline well-being.

Answer 4

Transmission

FIV is transmitted primarily through deep, penetrating bite wounds. A mother cat may transmit the virus to her newborn kittens during gestation, passage through the birth canal, or nursing. FIV can also be transmitted through the transfusion of contaminated blood.

FIV affects only felines. Some of the pathogens (i.e., bacteria, parasites) that cause opportunistic infections in FIV-positive cats may be transmitted from animals to humans and could cause illness in people with compromised immune systems.

Answer 5

Take the cats to the vet and ask him or her the some question.

Answer 6

theese disease are passed from cat to cat mainly during sex or when they are fighting, but it is also possible to pass it at he food and water bowl.

Answer 7

cats can get felv from infected mothers. (feline mother)