What Are the Symptoms of Feline AIDS Disease?

The American Association of Feline Practitioners states that one in 12 cats may be positive for feline immunodeficiency virus, which causes feline AIDS disease. Feline immunodeficiency virus occurs in three stages; acute, latent and final. The acute and final stages of feline AIDS disease have varying symptoms, although there are virtually no symptoms during the latent phase, which can last for years.

  1. Enlarged Lymph Nodes

    • During the acute stages of feline AIDS disease, the virus moves into the body's lymph nodes. The virus begins to reproduce inside white blood cells called T-lymphocytes. As it spreads through the lymph nodes, it can cause the nodes to become swollen and enlarged. This enlargement is often temporary and may be overlooked if the nodes are not greatly enlarged.

    Fever

    • Your cat may experience fever during the acute and final stages of feline AIDS disease. The average body temperature of a cat is 100.4 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be difficult to determine whether your cat is running a fever unless you monitor its body temperature with a rectal thermometer. There are some outward signs that your cat may be running a fever, though, including a loss of appetite, lack of energy and shivering.

    Loss of Appetite/Weight Loss

    • During the final stages of feline AIDS disease, you may notice that your cat is showing less interest in food. Loss of appetite may come on slowly, with your cat eating less and less at meals, or it can come on quickly, with your cat suddenly refusing to eat any food. Your veterinarian may recommend placing your cat on a special diet that contains concentrated levels of nutrients with a highly palatable flavor. Sudden weight loss usually coincides with loss of appetite, because your cat is consuming little or no nutrients to help maintain weight.

    Lethargy/Weakness

    • As your cat enters the final stages of feline AIDS disease, it probably will begin to show signs of lethargy and extreme weakness. Signs of lethargy include lack of activity, sleepiness and sluggishness. As the virus destroys the immune system, weakness may develop, and your cat may have a difficult time walking or using the bathroom.