• Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes feline AIDS*, a silent, deadly disease that attacks the immune system of a cat.

• With a compromised immune system, the cat is no longer able to fight subsequent infections or disease.

• Any cat with exposure to the outdoors is at risk for FIV.

• FIV is mainly transmitted during catfights via bite wounds.

• Initial symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes and low white blood cell count.

• Second-stage cats may recover and show no symptoms yet become lifelong carriers.

• Third-stage cats experience weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, poor coat condition and secondary infections, which become more frequent and resistant to treatment.

• 5 FIV prevention tips
• Learn more about the FIV vaccine
• Arne Zislin, VMD, on FIV and the Fel-O-Vax® Vaccine

*Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), the cause of feline AIDS, is not the same virus as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of human AIDS.

Copyright © 2002 Wyeth