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| Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Vaccine |
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| South Salem Veterinary Clinic is pleased to announce the availability of
a new vaccine for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, often called the Feline AIDS Virus. |
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| The Virus and How it Affects Cats |
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| This virus is similar in many ways to the human AIDS virus (the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV). |
- It is transmitted from another cat that has the virus. Bite wounds are the main means of transmission.
- It lies dormant in many cats for months to years and causes no disease. However, it later becomes active.
- When it becomes active, it suppresses the ability of the cat’s immune system to fight disease.
Cats that become ill from its effects usually have a normally mild disease that becomes life threatening
because the body’s immune system is not able to respond properly.
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| Who Should Be Vaccinated |
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| Because the FIV is transmitted by bite wounds, cats that may be bitten by cats
with the virus should be vaccinated. The two groups are: |
- Cats that go outdoors without direct supervision should be vaccinated.
- Cats that are escape artists.
- Cats that live with other cats that go outside.
- Cats that live indoors in a household that includes an FIV-infected cat.
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| The Vaccination Protocol |
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| The first year a cat is vaccinated, three injections are required at 2-4 week
intervals. A single booster is needed annually thereafter. |
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| Kittens as young as 8 weeks of age can be vaccinated. |
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| Testing FIV Vaccinated Cats |
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| There is a potential problem with testing a cat that has been vaccinated.
To understand this concept, it is necessary to understand some basics about how the immune system
works. |
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| Antigens are agents that invade the body, in this case the virus itself. |
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| Antibodies are agents that the body produces to protect itself from antigens. |
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| All vaccines contain antigens, which are viral particles that stimulate the
production of antibodies, but the antigens are modified so they do not cause disease. Following
vaccination, an “antibody titer” is produced. This measures the amount of antibodies produced by the cat
and are a rough indication of the presence of immunity (protection). |
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| The routine test for the FIV in cats determines the presence of antibodies so
it is called an “antibody test.” The tests for most other diseases, including the feline leukemia virus,
measure antigen levels, not antibody levels. |
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| Following vaccination with FIV vaccine, the cat will develop an antibody titer.
This antibody titer is the same as the antibody titer that will occur if an active FIV infection is
present. Therefore, confusion can arise. Testing a cat with the routine test that is infected with the
FIV will produce a positive test result. Testing a cat with the routine tests that was vaccinated with the
FIV vaccine will also produce a positive test result. Therefore, to avoid this confusion, we require that
cats be tested for the FIV BEFORE they are vaccinated. A test performed within 2 months of the first
vaccine is considered current. |
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| There is another test available that can distinguish an FIV infection from a cat
that has been vaccinated. It requires that blood be sent to an outside lab so the results will not be
available for several days. |
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| Remember: |
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- FIV infection is fatal.
- It can be prevented with FIV vaccine.
- We believe the vaccine is safe for our pets.
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| Proper vaccination against FVRCP and Feline Leukemia has dramatically reduced incidences
of these diseases in the cat population. Now is the time to stop FIV! |
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| If your cat is one of those listed under 'Who Should Be Vaccinated,' call 503-581-1674 to schedule
an appointment for testing. If you have any other concerns we can address them at that time. |
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