Finally, an AIDS Vaccine

Great news for cats, alas the same is not true for people. The Fort Dodge Pharmecutical Company announced in early August, that a vaccine is now available to protect cats from the often-deadly retrovirus called feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV. Veterinarian Niels Pedersen of the University of California at Davis first discovered the disease in the mid 1980.

The FIV virus is similar to the virus that causes AIDS in people. Though the two are related, the feline version has never been known to cause the disease in man.

A vaccine is now available to protect cats from the often-deadly retrovirus called feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV.

Cat AIDS is transmitted in the saliva of infected cats. Bites inflicted during fights are the usual mode of spread. The rate of infection is believed to be quite high in those cats that are at risk, namely those that live outdoors, and those that live in multi cat households. The American Association of Feline Practitioners believes that about 8% of these cats would test positive for the virus.

Similar to human HIV, feline AIDS depresses the immune system. Janet Yamamoto, PhD., of the University of Florida was key in developing is vaccine. She states that the virus weakens the body’s ability to fight off infection and opens the door for a myriad of diseases. The initial signs of a cat infected with FIV can therefore be extremely vague and nonspecific.

No vaccine is 100% effective but this first ever Feline Immunodeficiency Virus vaccine is rated at 84%. Experts in the field of human AIDS research are very hopeful that this monumental breakthrough will help lead the way to a preventative for people.

How can you protect your cat from this potentially deadly virus? Keep your cat indoors, test all new cats being added to your home and vaccinate your cat if it is at risk.