Signs of Feline AIDS

North American veterinary statistics show that out of 12 cats tested for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline AIDS infects one of them by a retrovirus that belongs to the lentivirus family and spreads through saliva or bites. It weakens the cat's immune system and the signs can take up to seven years to show itself.

  1. Weight Loss and Respiratory Infections

    • One of the first signs of feline AIDS is weight loss. If your cat is beginning to lose weight for no apparent reason, there may be a chance he has feline AIDS. Anorexia and depression is a common sign of the virus and its way of attacking the body of your cat very slowly.

      Respiratory infections that linger for weeks at a time are another sign of feline AIDS and should be checked by your cat's veterinarian as soon as possible. Feline AIDS attacks the immune system, causing respiratory infections.

    Fever, Anemia and Swollen Lymph Nodes

    • During the early stage of FIV, when the virus has spread to the regional lymph nodes, it will replicate into the cat's white blood cells, also known as T lymphocytes (or CD4+ lymphocyte). The virus will then spread throughout the body, and the cat will start showing small signs of acute illness, such as fever, anemia and swollen lymph nodes, that can last for a few weeks. During this initial stage, symptoms may go unnoticed. Fever and anemia are signs your cat may have feline AIDS. A fever usually means an infection of some sort, and anemia is caused from the red blood cells being attacked by the virus.

    Failure of Immune System

    • Once the FIV has infected and damaged the T lymphocytes, which are needed to maintain a proper function of the cat's immune system, the system will lose its ability to fight off infections. Soon after, chronic signs of the virus will start to show, such as cancer, parasite infestation and bacterial or fungal infections. The virus may cause smelly breath and facial pain or sensitivity, and also infection to the eye that can result in redness of the eyes or ocular discharge. Other signs that can be detected from the infection of feline AIDS include severe diarrhea, pneumonia, seizures, loss of house training, and dementia. These signs of FIV will differ from cat to cat.