| Two of the biggest infectious disease concerns of feline guardians are feline leukemia virus (known as FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (known as FIV). Both of these viruses belong to a class if viruses known as retroviruses, and are of the same category as human immunodeficiency virus. However, FeLV and FIV are not contagious to people or other species of animals. While feline leukemia virus is usually transmitted after prolonged contact in young cats under the age of two, feline immunodeficiency virus is most commonly transmitted by bites after fighting amongst outdoor cats, and can occur at any age. |  |
Chronic infections with these viruses in most cases usually leads to life long disease, and predisposition to various immune suppressive disorders and secondary bacterial infections, as well as gum inflammation chronic respiratory or digestive symptoms, and in some cases tumor development down the road. Because of the more delicate and fragile immune systems of such cats, it is best to provide them with the best quality all natural diets you can, which include either a proper homemade diet, or natural commercial foods like Wysong or Pet Guard as my two favorite brands. I also recommend minimizing vaccinations in these affected cats to only those required by law such as rabies.
I also recommend excellent nutritional supplements for cats with these chronic infections such as Vetri-DMG liquid, extra vitamin C in the diet and immune boosters like Transfer Factor for pets. While FeLV virus is more likely to lead to premature death in infected cats, many cats with FIV infection can live normal lives if kept inside and minimally stressed. However, I have seen many FIV cats happily coexist with other cats who remain FIV negative, as the main transmission of FIV virus is by bite.
There are vaccinations available to prevent both of these diseases. In my opinion, the FIV vaccination has not been proven safe or effective long term. As for FeLV infection, if your cat is going to be spending a significant time outside, I would consider vaccinating young animals up through age three or four. After that, most adult cats, even those who are not vaccinated, are able to mount their own immune response and protect themselves against feline leukemia virus infection. Because of the rare complication of a tumor at the site of vaccination, I therefore do not recommend vaccinating feline leukemia virus negative cats over the age of four in my practice. .
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