We can now vaccinate your cat against FIV with a recently developed vaccine!!
What is feline AIDS?
Feline AIDS is caused by infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV is a potentially fatal viral disease that interferes with the immune system of a cat. The virus lives in the blood of the infected cat and is carried in its system throughout its life.
Infected cats may expose healthy cats with which they come in contact, most often by biting.
Cats infected with FIV may remain healthy for up to 10 years. While some infected cats show no sign of disease, others may display initial symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes.
As the disease progresses, symptoms may occur such as weight loss, sores in and around the mouth and eyes, poor coat and chronic infections.
Eventually, the immune system becomes too weak to fight off other infections or diseases. As a result, the cat will die of one of these subsequent infections.
How prevalent is FIV and could my cat get it?
It is reported that between 14% and 29% of cats in Australia tests positive to the disease, with outdoor cats in the highest group. FIV is spread from cat to cat primarily through bite wounds. The spread of FIV through watering bowls or grooming is unlikely. An actual bite wound is an integral part of the disease transmission. Although rare, it is possible for a Mother to pass the infection on to her unborn foetus.
Even though this feline virus is related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), no human has ever been reported to be infected with FIV.
What can I do to prevent feline AIDS?
Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease in at-risk cats. There is no treatment or cure for an FIV infected cat.
If your cat is older than six months, the first step is for us to do a simple blood test to check that they don’t already have FIV. This is done in-house here at Eureka, takes five minutes to get a result and costs only $33.
Once we have established that your cat doesn’t have FIV, they will require a course of three vaccinations, each two to three weeks apart; then an annual booster to maintain immunity. The course of three injections is paid for in one easy payment of $88.
If your cat is less than three months old, they will not require the test and go straight onto the course of vaccinations. Of course, the easiest and cheapest way is to vaccinate your new kitten for FIV at the same time as they receive their standard kitten vaccinations!