Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccination 

                    now available for cats

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is the cause of the disease "Feline AIDS". Although the viruses are related, this is not the same virus that causes human AIDS, and no human has ever been reported to be infected with FIV.

The disease caused by FIV is a potentially fatal viral disease that interferes with the immune system of the cat. The virus lives in the blood of the infected cat and is carried in its system throughout its life. There is no treatment or cure for an FIV infected cat.

Infected cats may expose healthy cats to the virus, most often by biting.

A vaccine has recently become available in that can help prevent infection by FIV. Vaccination is only recommended for cats that are at risk of infection. Effective vaccination requires an initial course of 3 injections 2-4 weeks apart, followed by annual boosters. Adult cats and kittens older than 8 weeks can be vaccinated.

Before vaccination a cat should have a blood test for FIV to determine whether infection has already occurred.

Other measures that may be taken to reduce the chance of infection include:

Please contact our hospital for information on whether your cat is at risk of infection and if you should be considering vaccination.