RETROVIRUSES OF CATS - A REVIEW

Exogenous feline retroviruses, which are not part of the normal cat ge nome, include feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline sarcoma virus (FeS V), feline syncytium-forming virus (FeSFV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The major pathogens in this group are FIV and FeLV. FeLV alone is the most common cause of non-accidental death in cats. Preva lence in Australia is approximately 9% and 26% for FeLV and Fnr respec tively. FeLV infection is more common in symptomatic, mixed breed, mul ti-cat household, outdoor, one- to six-year-old male and female cats. On the other hand, FIV can be found more often in symptomatic, mixed b reed, multi-cat household, male, older FeLV-infected cats. Clinical si gns are similar for both infections and can include any of the followi ng: weight loss, fever, dehydration, anorexia, rough coat, lethargy, g ingivitis, respiratory infection, skin infection, intestinal infection . Active FeLV infection is diagnosed through the detection of viral an tigen (p27) in serum or lymphocytes using a convenient ELISA. Detectio n of serum antibodies to FIV determines the presence of FIV infection. No specific treatment exists for FeLV-infected of FIV-infected cats. Therapy is therefore directed at treating the clinical signs. Control of FeLV and FIV is best achieved through diagnostic and removal progra ms. An effective vaccine for FeLV is available and should be used on a ll young FeLV-negative cats. No effective vaccine exists for FIV.