Can anyone tell me the symptoms of FIV?

Question

My indoor/outdoor male cat ( 1 yr. 7 months) was acting sick on Thursday and I took him to the vet on Friday morning. We are still waiting for blood work results for two possible conditions, the most serious of which is FIV. I have him home now, but he is isolated from my other cats. The vet thought he might eat better at home, but I can't get him to eat. I force fed him some strained meat baby food. He has been wheezing/coughing some, and has no appetite. He will drink water, groom himself, and purr a bit. His stools are a little runny. Please don't tell me to take him to the vet - I did, and my bill so far is $239.51, which I paid when I picked him up. He is on antibiotic while we are awaiting results. I just wonder what the symptoms might be. He has shown no signs of having been in a fight - no puncture wounds or bites of any kind that I've noticed. Needless to say, I'm worried sick. He has had all his shots (except the FIV, which is not "proven") and he is neutered.

Answer 1

http://www.hdw-inc.com/healthfiv.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIV

Best of luck I hope he is ok. Cats with FIV can live healthy lives, jsut not as long as non-infected cats. My boyfriend's sister has two cats with FIV and they are great, they just get sick a little easier than other cats and have a few other physical problems. Just know that a cat with FIV should either be an only cat or live in an FIV-only household as it is very easily transmitted from cat to cat.

Answer 2

As you may know the FIV virus suppresses the immune system and symptoms can be most anything if an infection is attacking some part of the cat's system.

I am going through the same thing now as diagnosis is looking like feline lymphoma. I have to wait for an ultrasound on Tuesday.

So I am experiencing what you are going through and you have all my sympathy.

Answer 3

Symptoms
Stage 1
After the initial infection, the virus spreads to nearby lymph nodes and eventually to all the lymph nodes. This stage is usually asymptomatic (without symptoms) and lasts days, weeks, or months.
There is a progressive decrease in the number of immune system cells (CD4 or T helper cells). As the CD4 count decreases, the risk of illness increases. Most cats have enough CD4 cells to fight the disease during stage 1.

Some cats may develop fever, neutropenia (abnormal decrease in the number of circulating neutrophils, a type of white blood cell), or anemia (low red blood cell count), but FIV infection usually goes unnoticed during this stage.

Stage 2
Stage 2 is an asymptomatic phase that may last for years.

Stage 3
Stage 3 is sometimes called AIDs-related complex (ARC). The cat's immune system weakens considerably, making it susceptible to disease from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoans that usually do not affect healthy cats. These are called opportunistic, or secondary, infections. They are chronic, recurrent, and worsen over time.

See my source for more.

Answer 4

FIV - Since the immune system is depressed, upper respiratory infections can become chronic. The mouth can become inflamed there can be loss of weight due to chronic diarrhea, fevers, enlargement of the lymph glands, chronic abscesses and cystitis (urinary tract infection). Younger, healthier cats can live for years with the disease in remission.

And, just in case....
FELV - In the early stages, common symptoms include weight loss, dehydration and fever. Other symptoms can include kidney problems, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, cystitis (urinary tract infection), etc. The symptoms are wide ranging and can also include skin diseases, nerve damage and cancerous growths.

Answer 5

This may help you: http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/FIV_Feline_Immunodeficiency_Virus.htm

Did the vet give you a prescription diet called a/d or i/d to supplement him until he starts eating on his own again? Both are supposed to be very palatable and calorie dense.

Just do the best you can do with the syringe feeding. You did right by keeping him separated from the other cats. Good luck.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

What are the clinical signs of disease?

FIV-infected cats may show nonspecific signs such as lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), and weight loss. The signs of FIV infection and FeLV infection are very similar.

Chronic oral infections occur in approximately 50% of cats with FIV-related disease.

Oral Infections: Chronic oral infections occur in approximately 50% of cats with FIV-related disease. Cats may show pain when touched on the face, have difficulty eating or refuse to eat, and may have a bad odor around the mouth. These infections can be difficult to control. Oral infections are more common in cats with FIV infection than those infected with FeLV.

Respiratory Disease: Approximately 30% of FIV-infected cats have chronic upper respiratory disease with sneezing and nasal discharge. These symptoms may be due to chronic infections with feline herpes (rhinotracheitis) or calicivirus. In some cats, pneumonia can develop and cause coughing and difficulty breathing.

Eye Disease: Along with signs of upper respiratory disease, cats may also show ocular signs such as redness of the eyes, discharge, and cloudiness of the cornea. Glaucoma is sometimes seen, as well.

Gastrointestinal Disease: Chronic diarrhea is seen in 10-20% of FIV-infected cats. It may be due to cancer, bacterial infection, parasitic infestation, or FIV itself.

Skin and Ear Infections: Recurrent or chronic infections of the skin and ears may be the first sign of an FIV infection. Because of the immunodeficiency, parasites, yeast and bacteria overgrow and cause symptoms such as hair loss, itching, and pustules. Demodectic and notoedric mange, which are unusual in healthy cats may be seen. Chronic ear mite infections and aggressive ringworm lesions have also been reported. Chronic abscesses can also occur.

Neurologic Disease: Changes in behavior, loss of house-training, and dementia can be seen in FIV-infected cats. These symptoms may be caused directly by FIV or by parasitic (Toxoplasmosis) and fungal (Cryptococcosis) infections, which occur more often in immunosuppressed animals.

Lymphadenopathy: Lymph nodes in the abdomen and other parts of the body are often enlarged.

Anemia: Anemia is observed in approximately 1/3 of FIV-infected cats. Mycoplasma haemofelis, formerly known as Haemobartonella felis, is a parasite of red blood cells that may be responsible for many of these cases.

Neoplasia: FIV-infected cats are 5 times more likely to develop lymphoma and leukemia than uninfected cats. The exact mechanism for this is unknown.


To read the entire article follow this link listed below,
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1316&articleid=213

Answer 8

Just wanted to say I hope your cat is ok . Try not to worry, although I know you will.

Good thought and prayers to you. :-)