FIV – Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (feline AIDS):
A viral infection of the immune system, leading to signs such as anemia and low white blood cell counts, infections of the gums and mouth, cancer or neurologic disease. This disease is spread from cat to cat, primarily by biting.
FIP – Feline Infectious Peritonitis:
A viral infection that can affect many body systems, including the liver, kidneys, and brain. Inflammation of the abdomen is common in some forms of the disease. Most cats are exposed to the virus early in life.
FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
FeLV and FIV are contagious, untreatable diseases in cats. Outdoor cats are at increased risk for both FeLV and FIV. If a domestic house cat was to accidentally get outside, feral outdoor cats are territorial and tend to be aggressive toward new felines. These feline diseases are transmitted through the passing of saliva and other bodily fluids, most commonly through a bite.
Cats are most vulnerable to these viruses as kittens. The viruses may also be passed from a mother cat to her kittens. Kittens may be tested for FeLV & FIV at any age. However, infection in newborn kittens may not be detected until weeks to months after birth. Therefore, several FeLV / FIV tests during the first six months of life may be necessary to feel completely sure about a negative test result. This test is highly recommended for all kittens around 6 months of age.
All kittens or adult cats that test negative on their first screening test, but have a known or suspected exposure to FeLV, should be retested after 90 days post-exposure. Adult cats can also be FIV / FeLV tested, and then vaccinated if they are negative. FeLV vaccination of infected cats does not affect the carrier state, the ability to infect other cats, or the development of disease in the infected cats. Kittens should be vaccinated with a recombinant vaccine, as leukemia is almost entirely preventable with two kitten vaccines and a booster vaccine 1 year later. Booster vaccinations with recombinant vaccines are generally used in adult cats only if they have continuing risk of exposure (such as being an outdoor cat).