What is FELV? My vet says my cat is FIV+. Whats the difference?

Answer 1

FELV = Feline Leukemia Virus
FIV+ = cat with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

FELV is the equivalent to the human leukemia (white blood cell cancer)
whilst,
FIV is the equivalent to the human HIV (deficiency in the whole immune system)

Answer 2

FeLV is Feline Luekemia and FIV is Feline Aids.

Feline leukemia virus adversely affects the cat's body in many ways. It is the most common cause of cancer in cats, it may cause various blood disorders, and it may lead to a state of immune deficiency that hinders the cat's ability to protect itself against other infections. The same bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi that may be found in the everyday environment—where they usually do not affect healthy animals—can cause severe illness in those with weakened immune systems. These secondary infections are responsible for many of the diseases associated with FeLV.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes an infectious disease in domestic cats and cheetahs similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV infection) in humans. It attacks and weakens the body?s immune system, making the animal susceptible to infections and diseases that don't affect healthy cats. There is neither a cure nor a vaccine for FIV. Though eventually fatal, an FIV-positive cat can live for many years without any signs of illness.

Answer 3

Both are infectious diseases that can be transmitted to other cats. Neither one can be transmitted to humans. The other posters gave some great descriptions of both diseases. From what I've seen FIV+ cats can live many, many years without showing symptoms and getting sick. FELV+ cats usually have a shorter lifespan since the disease wreaks havoc on their immune system. You should defnitely keep your kitty indoors to prevent from spreading the disease to neighborhood cats and to prevent him from getting any other diseases or injuries that could be a harder on him that a non-FIV+ cat.

Answer 4

FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FeLV) & FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV)



Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immundeficiency virus (FIV) are two important contagious viral organisms that infect cats. They affect the immune system and can cause increased susceptibility to many diseases and cancers (especially lymphoma). FeLV infection is also associated with bone marrow disorders and reproductive disorders.

FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FeLV)

Feline leukemia is transmitted both from cat to cat and from mother to offspring. The most common route of infection is through contact with infected body fluids (blood, saliva, etc.). Cats exposed to these viruses may 1) be able to fight off the infection, 2) develop a hidden infection, or 3) become infected and continuously infectious to other cats. Those animals that have a latent or hidden infection cannot transmit FeLV to other cats unless stress or immunosuppression (such as the administration of steroids) places the virus back into circulation. Outside the cat, the virus dies quickly in a dry environment. The virus can survive twenty-four to forty-eight hours in a moist environment and so can potentially be transmitted by sharing litter boxes and food dishes.

The screening test for FeLV infection is a blood test called an ELISA antigen test. All positive tests should be confirmed with either the submission of another more specific test called an IFA test or by repeating the ELISA test in three to four months. To confirm a negative test after exposure, an ELISA antigen test can be repeated in three months. It is important to realize that cats with latent infection test negative, but may still develop associated disorders later in life. Vaccination does not interfere with testing.

Feline Leukemia vaccinations have been available for many years. The vaccine is not one hundred percent (100%) effective. The vaccine has also been associated with the development of an aggressive cancer at the site of vaccination called fibrosarcoma. The risk of vaccination should be weighed against the risk of exposure and infection. If vaccination is to be performed, test before vaccinating, as there is no benefit to vaccinating a FeLV positive cat.



FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV)

There are five different types of FIV: A, B, C, D and E. In the United States, most cats are infected with subtype A on the West Coast and B on the East Coast. The most common mode of transmission is through saliva and bite wounds. The majority of FIV-positive cats are outdoor males. FIV survives outside the body for only a few minutes and is unlikely to be passed by sharing litter boxes and food dishes. Most infected cats will test positive within sixty (60) days after exposure. Kittens can test positive due to maternal antibodies, but usually become negative later. Kittens should be re-tested at six (6) months of age.

FIV infection is associated with neurologic disease, chronic renal failure, cancers (especially lymphoma), stomatitis (mouth and gum disease), respiratory conditions, diarrhea, urinary disorders, and wasting syndromes.

Unlike the FeLV test, the FIV test is an antibody test instead of an antigen test. The viral antigen levels in FIV infection are usually too low to detect. Additionally, antibody levels wax and wane. They can be detected as early as two (2) weeks after infection. IFA and ELISA are used as the methods for the screening tests. FIV negative cats are likely to be uninfected. A Western blot test is the confirmatory test. Annual FIV testing is recommended for at risk cats i.e., outdoor cats and those living with FIV positive cats.

An FIV vaccine has recently been developed. It is a killed vaccine composed of subtype A & D. It is reported to be eighty-two (82%) percent effective at preventing subtype A. There are no data as to the efficacy against subtype B, which is the subtype found on the East Coast. Vaccinated cats will test positive on all tests including Western Blot tests. Vaccination cannot be differentiated from infection on the FIV antibody test. Kittens from vaccinated queens can test positive until eight (8) weeks of age. Only those at high risk should be considered for vaccination and they should be tested negative before.



TREATMENT FOR FIV AND FeLV

Treatment for FIV and FELV positive cats typically targets the treatment of the secondary diseases and supporting the immune system. Good nutrition and management are important components of therapy. Immunodulators such as the staphylococcal protein A, Acemannan, and interferon alpha have been used with varying degrees of anecdotal success. Antiviral drugs such as AZT are also available. Only the antiviral drugs have clinical data to support their efficacy but unfortunately have been found to cause adverse side effects.

Answer 5

Sounds like Felive IV. That means the cat (Feline) had and IV (shot).