FIV

• Reservoir: In the cat's body fluids such as their blood and saliva. The pathogens live and multiply initially in the cats' lymph nodes and spread to its immune system. 

• Portal of exit: FIV-positive cat's saliva.

• Mode of transmission: Spread through direct transmission of bite wounds from an infected cat and, on rare occasions, transplacental/transmammary transmission if the mother is FIV-positive and spreads it to her kittens. if pregnant. It becomes a bigger risk for the kittens if the mother becomes infected with FIV DURING pregnancy rather than her already being infected before pregnancy.

• Example: An FIV-positive cat comes into contact with another cat, biting them, and inoculating their wound with their saliva in which FIV will be spread. Contaminated blood can also be inoculated into their bite wound. 

• Portal of entry: FIV may enter another cat through infected blood/saliva coming into contact with a bite wound

• Susceptible host: Healthy cats, cats at increased risk of infection, sick cats, immunocompromised cats, outdoor/stray cats. 

• How can we control the transmission of FIV? There is currently no cure for FIV, so to better control the transmission of FIV between cats, it is important to ensure indoor cats are watched closely if let outside and to avoid letting them interact with outdoor cats who may be possible carriers of FIV. FIV testing is also crucial for all cats to control transmission. 

• Sources: VCA Hospitals FIV, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine 

Reviewed by Kiana Oquendo