Many outdoor cats can contract infections and diseases due to a environmental conditions and contact with other infected cats. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV or FLeuk) and Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) are three common viruses that cats can contract. None of these viruses can be transmitted to humans or any other animals besides cats.
Currently, many of these medical conditions are not well understood and while an infected cat may become ill, many such cats survive for many years. In a safe, indoor environment, with good nutrition and care, these cats often have a good chance of leading a long, good quality life.
It is recommended that infected cats be kept as "only" cats, or with other cats carrying the same disease. This helps prevent spread of the virus (and possible illness) to other cats that are not already infected.
There are different methods of testing for each disease, varying in cost, and in accuracy. In the case of a positive test, you may wish to talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of retesting - many of these tests may produce occasional "false positives". In the case of kittens, re-testing is often a good idea, since antibodies from the mother in young kittens may interfere with the test.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)FIV infects all types of cats from the larger cats (e.g leopards, cougars, lions) to domestic house cats. Most at risk for infection are male non-neutered, outdoor cats that often get in fights with other cats. FIV affects the feline immune system, which makes the cat more susceptible to disease. The virus is only contagious to other cats, and is transmitted through saliva and blood (i.e. through biting and fighting). More casual contact such as sharing litter boxes or feeding bowls and mutual grooming are NOT likely methods of transmission of the virus. It is even suggested that it is unlikely for an FIV+ mother to transmit FIV to her kittens. As with FIP, a cat that tests positive for FIV may never develop full-blown FIV and can live a very long and healthy life if kept indoors, fed properly, and protected against other diseases and injury. Additional FIV resources: |
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)Feline leukemia virus infection was, until recently, the most common fatal disease of cats. Fewer cases of the disease are seen, as there are now vaccines available. However, it still remains a major cause of death in cats. Like FIV, FeLV affects the feline immune system, which makes the cat more susceptible to disease. The virus is only transmitted between cats, via bodily fluids. (Transmission is primarily through intimate moist contact, such as biting/fighting or mutual grooming; transmission may be possible via sneezing, hissing, sharing food/water bowls, and sharing litter boxes.) Veterinary tests are available for FeLV. (Vaccination does not interfere with testing in the case of FeLV). Cats who test positive for FeLV may live for months to years, and in many cases, it is possible to keep a FeLV positive cat and ensure good quality of life through combined efforts of owner and veterinarian. Vaccines against FeLV are available, although you may wish to consider whether this is necessary for your cat.. "Indoor cats" are considered at low risk for FeLV, although there can always be the risk of infection if an indoor cat escapes outdoors, or if another unvaccinated cat is brought into the home. Additional FeLV resources: |
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)FIP is a complex disease that has proven to be difficult to test for, and to treat. The majority of the available tests for FIP are controversial, as there are concerns about their accuracy and reliability. These tests actually monitor for feline coronavirus, of which FIP is only one type. Many other types of non-disease causing coronaviruses can be found in cats. The only definitive test for FIP can be conducted through an invasive tissue biopsy. As in all the diseases discussed here, FIP can be passed on to other cats, but not to humans or other animals. While there is a vaccine for FIP, it is not considered totally safe/and or reliable by some vets (if you are considering adopting a FIP+ cat, talk to your vet about it.) While the disease state of FIP is usually fatal, many cats carry the virus and live long, healthy lives, especially if they live indoors in a clean environment, have good nutrition, and are not exposed to stressful conditions. Healthy-looking cats can have very good chances of never developing full-blown FIP. Nevertheless, it is recommended that FIP+ cats should be in a single-cat home ... or with another FIP+ cat. Additional FIP resources: |