FIV treatment?

Re: FIV treatment?

Rob Loxley — Wed, 28 May 2014 13:55:00 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]suggested that if you put an FIV +ve cat in a closed household of indoor cats after a few years the majority would become infected.[/quote]

The published studies are somewhat conflicting...

Re: FIV treatment?

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 28 May 2014 09:07:50 GMT

[quote user="Emily Rainbow"]sharing bowls is considered a risk of transmission.[/quote]The epidemiology as I previously was led to believe was that FIV could only be transmitted by directly introducing the virus into the bloodstream hence really only cat bites but FeLV could be transmitted indirectly by exchange of other body fluids i.e. mating, grooming, sharing feeding bowls etc. Thus I would advise owners that it was OK to have an FIV +ve cat in a multi-cat household where they probably wouldn't actually bite each other but contacts in a home with an FeLV +ve cat should be vaccinated.

I have in the light of what I now understand have had to review this advice. Was I always wrong but is that what others used to understand?

Re: FIV treatment?

Emily Rainbow — Tue, 27 May 2014 22:04:58 GMT

I guess it depends on how close they are, sharing bowls is considered a risk of transmission.

Re: FIV treatment?

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 27 May 2014 19:28:48 GMT

[quote user="Kate Richardson"]FIV transmission between cats in a household is actually less common than you would think [/quote]This is what I used to believe but a seminar I went to recently, and I can't honestly remember where - come to think of it it might even have been mentioned on here, suggested that if you put an FIV +ve cat in a closed household of indoor cats after a few years the majority would become infected.

Re: FIV treatment?

Kate Richardson — Tue, 27 May 2014 19:17:21 GMT

Firstly you need to confirm he is FIV positive with another test- best advice is to speak to your lab regarding which test to do next. Recurrent pyrexia in a young cat always makes me think FIP although you have normal biochem and haematology, but may be worth repeating to see if any changes from initial sample ( and get checked esp CBC externally)

FIV transmission between cats in a household is actually less common than you would think but definitely worth testing housemate

Not got time to write more as child needing to go to bed!

Re: FIV treatment?

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 27 May 2014 17:31:14 GMT

I've had some limited success with prolonging quality of life in FIV +ve cats with Virbagen Omega usually when they have an associated anaemia. The protocol is 1 mega unit/kg daily for 5 days. Reassess PCV after 14 days if it has improved repeat and test/treat periodically. The problem is that there can be so many associated problems going on as you're finding that assessing response is difficult and unless you have a measurable parameter like improving PCV. On the basis that it can probably do no harm to the cat and the owner can/is prepared to afford it then I'd give it a go. I got one to live for another 6 months than it would have done I reckon but it is such a moving target this sort of interpretation is always going to be anecdotal.

Re: FIV treatment?

Rebecca MacMillan — Tue, 27 May 2014 12:53:34 GMT

Sorry that last bit came out so small! If the small font put you off... basically I'm wondering what to do treatment wise for FIV, whether I need to use antivirals in this case or whether I should be doing further tests like survey radiographs etc? Obviously we are still awaiting some other lab results which could also throw a few things up! Any thoughts welcome!