Viral immunodeficiency in cats: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Immunodeficiency in cats is a serious pathology of a viral nature. This disease resembles in its manifestations HIV infection in humans. However, its causative agent is a completely different microorganism. The viral nature of the disease was revealed relatively recently. This pathology in everyday life is sometimes called "feline AIDS". However, a person cannot become infected from an animal, the causative agent of the disease is not transmitted to people. Viral immunodeficiency is extremely dangerous for cats and often causes the death of an animal.

Pathogen

The causative agent of immunodeficiency in cats is a lentivirus. This microorganism belongs to the family of retroviruses. It dies when boiled and does not tolerate the effects of disinfectant solutions. At the same time, the lentivirus is quite resistant to sunlight.

When a lentivirus enters the cat's body, it attacks the cells of the immune system. It damages and destroys lymphocytes. As a result, the animal becomes defenseless against any infection. The danger of this microorganism lies in the fact that it canyears of not showing up. Approximately 1% of stray cats are asymptomatic carriers of lentivirus.

Transmission routes

Feline immunodeficiency virus is found in blood, lymph and saliva. The infection is transmitted in several ways:

1. Through the contact of saliva and blood. Most often, animals become infected when they are bitten by infected relatives. Transmission of the virus is also possible during mutual licking, if a he althy cat has wounds on the skin.
2. Sexually. Animals often become infected during mating.
3. With blood transfusion and operations. This is a rather rare route of infection, as blood products in veterinary clinics are tested for the presence of the virus. There were also cases of infection of cats during operations, this was due to violations of asepsis rules.
4. In utero. A sick cat can infect its future cubs. Kittens are born already sick.
5. Through parasite bites. In rare cases, cat fleas can carry the virus from one animal to another.

It should be remembered that such an infection cannot be spread by airborne and alimentary means. Direct animal contact is necessary for transmission of the virus, as this microorganism quickly dies in the external environment.

Viral immunodeficiency in cats usually occurs in adulthood and old age (after 5 years). Kittens suffer from this pathology much less often.

As already mentioned, a sick cat cannot infect a human. The infection is not transmittedand dogs. This microorganism is only dangerous for felines.

Stages of the disease

Symptoms and treatment of immunodeficiency in cats depend on the stage of development of the pathology. Veterinarians distinguish 3 stages of this disease:

• getting the virus into the body of an animal;
• carrying virus (incubation period);
• immunodeficiency state.

Let's consider in more detail the symptoms of each stage and the pathogenesis of the disease.

The entry of the virus into the body

Lentivirus enters the blood of the animal, and then penetrates into the leukocytes. Most often it is asymptomatic. In some cases, in the first days after infection, the cat may experience the following symptoms:

• lethargy, apathy;
• small fever;
• slight enlargement of lymph nodes.

This stage of the disease continues for 24-72 hours after infection.

Carrying the virus

The incubation period for viral immunodeficiency in cats can last from 2 to 5 years. If the animal has strong immunity, then the symptoms of the disease at this stage do not appear in any way. The body's defenses suppress the activity of the virus, but cannot completely destroy it.

The animal becomes a carrier of the virus. During the incubation period, the pet's condition usually remains normal. However, an infected cat can transmit the virus to its congeners through direct contact.

Over time, the lentivirus destroys a large number of lymphocytes. This leads to a steady decline in immunity. Overt symptoms of immunodeficiency in cats usually appear many years after infection.

This disease is much easier to treat during the incubation period. However, the carriage of the virus is very rarely detected. The animal is doing well and cat owners see no reason to seek veterinary care.

Symptoms of immunodeficiency

At this stage, pronounced manifestations of the disease are noted:

• drastic weight loss with normal nutrition;
• persistent fever;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• eye inflammation;
• lacrimation;
• inflammation of the gums with the formation of ulcers;
• frequent diarrhea;
• skin rash;
• poor condition of coat and teeth.

An important symptom of viral immunodeficiency in cats is a high susceptibility to infectious diseases. After all, the causative agent of pathology damages protective blood cells - lymphocytes. The pet begins to get sick often and hard.

Infected cats have comorbidities such as toxoplasmosis, lymphoma, bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Due to the low resistance of the body, these pathologies are difficult to treat and often cause the death of the animal.

Different from leukemia

Immunodeficiency and leukemia in cats are very similar in symptoms. Both diseases are viralorigin. With immunodeficiency, only the body's defense system is damaged, and leukemia is accompanied by the growth of malignant cells in various organs.

Which disease is more dangerous? Both pathologies are extremely severe. They pose a serious threat to the life of pets. However, immunocompromised cats live longer than animals with leukemia.

It is quite difficult to distinguish viral immunodeficiency from leukemia on your own. Differential diagnosis of these two pathologies is possible only with the help of special tests.

Diagnosis

If you suspect an immunodeficiency in cats, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic. There are times when owners begin to treat their pet with antibiotics on their own. Under no circumstances should this be done. Uncontrolled intake of drugs can only worsen the well-being of the animal.

This disease can be detected by testing for feline immunodeficiency. In the veterinary laboratory, blood is taken, and then the biomaterial is examined by Western blotting. This detects the presence of specific antibodies to lentivirus.

This is a rather expensive study that is not carried out in every veterinary laboratory. However, only such a test allows an accurate diagnosis.

They also conduct a serological study of blood by PCR. But this analysis is less reliable and often gives false results.

Antibodies in the blood can be detected already during the incubation period, approximately 2 to 3 months after infection. Kittens analysisdo at the age not earlier than 5 - 6 months. In pups, test results are often skewed, so the test must be repeated.

In addition, a general clinical blood test is prescribed. In sick animals, a drop in hemoglobin is detected, as well as a decrease in the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes.

Treatment methods

Treatment of immunodeficiency in cats is carried out with the help of special antiviral drugs. These drugs suppress the activity of the pathogen. Assign the following means:

• "Retrovir";
• "Vibragen Omega".

These drugs inhibit the activity of the lentivirus. While taking them, cats feel somewhat better. But when the drugs are discontinued, all the symptoms of the disease return again.

The disease significantly undermines the body's defenses. Therefore, veterinarians prescribe drugs that stimulate the immune system:

• "Phosprenil"
• "Feliferon";
• "Roncoleukin";
• "Timogen";
• "Ribotan".

When secondary infections are attached, antibiotics are indicated: "Ampiox", "Ampicillin", "Ceftriaxone". These drugs are also prescribed for prophylactic purposes. They help prevent the reproduction of opportunistic microflora.

Viral immunodeficiency cats show dramatic declinethe number of leukocytes. To stimulate the formation of white blood cells, the following drugs are prescribed:

• "Leikostim";
• "Neupogen";
• "Filgrastim".

These drugs are prescribed for 21 days. Longer use of them is undesirable, as these drugs can provoke an increase in the viral load in the blood.

In case of manifestations of anemia, the use of erythropoiesis stimulants is indicated: "Epokrin", "Erythrostim". These medicines can be taken for a long time. In some cases, a blood transfusion is done. However, this procedure should be carried out with caution, as animals with immunodeficiency are very susceptible to anaphylactic shock.

Treatment of viral immunodeficiency in cats must be carried out throughout the life of the pet, because the causative agent of the disease remains in the body forever and can manifest itself at any time.

Rules for keeping a sick cat

If the apartment contains several cats, then you need to completely isolate the sick animal from relatives. This is necessary not only to prevent infection of he althy pets. Cats suffering from viral immunodeficiency are very susceptible to any infections. They must be kept away from contact with other animals.

If it is not possible to completely isolate a sick animal, then the composition of pets should remain unchanged. Under no circumstances should new cats be brought into the house. It is also very important to regularly treat animal hair with flea products. This will reducechance of spreading the infection.

A sick cat needs to be protected from stress. Any shocks can trigger the activation of the virus. If necessary, you need to give the animal calming drugs: "Cat Bayun", "Felivey", "Fitex," Antistress ".

Immune-deficient animals should be well fed. It is unacceptable to feed them low-quality food, because sick cats often suffer from intestinal disorders. Veterinarians recommend giving these animals special therapeutic food Royal Canin Calm, which has an anti-stress effect on the body.

A sick pet must be under medical supervision for life. The cat should be regularly shown to the veterinarian in order to prevent complications. It is also necessary to carefully monitor the weight of the animal and the condition of the gums, skin and coat. The pet must live in a warm room and not get cold.

Doctors recommend sterilizing a sick animal. This will prevent sexual and intrauterine transmission of the disease.

It is important to remember that in case of clinical manifestations of immunodeficiency, any vaccinations are categorically contraindicated for animals. If the virus in the body is in a "sleeping" state, then only vaccines with killed strains of microorganisms can be administered.

Forecast

Immunodeficiency in cats cannot be completely cured. The animal remains a carrier of the virus forever. The causative agent can be activated at any time when exposed to adversefactors.

Approximately 20% of animals die from secondary infections. After the first clinical manifestations of immunodeficiency, most cats live for about 5 to 7 years. This longevity is possible with good care and regular treatment.

In advanced cases and in the absence of proper therapy, the prognosis worsens significantly. Animals die about 2 years after the onset of severe symptoms of immunodeficiency.

Prevention

How to prevent lentivirus infection in a pet? With a single animal and no free range, the likelihood of infection is very low. Veterinarians also recommend following these guidelines:

1. Periodic antiparasitic treatment of animal hair.
2. Keep your cat away from sick and stray animals.
3. Before mating, a blood test for lentivirus and other infections should be done.
4. If a cat takes independent walks, then she needs to periodically undergo a blood test for antibodies to the immunodeficiency virus.

There is a Felovax FIV vaccine that contains a killed lentivirus. The drug is not registered in Russia and is used only abroad. Such a vaccination protects against the disease only in 60 - 70% of cases and can provoke the development of sarcoma. Currently, veterinarians are working to create a more effective and safer vaccine.