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Feline Retrovirus Management
May 19, 2008
Contact info:
American Association of Feline Practitioners
203 Towne Centre Drive
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
1-800-874-0498
Dr. Julie Levy is available for interview at (352) 392-2226 ext 5717. Dr. Levy is a professor of internal medicine at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
For Immediate Release
American Association of Feline Practitioners Takes Aim at FeLV and FIV
Despite the availability of highly accurate diagnostic tests and preventive vaccines, millions of cats still become infected with FeLV and FIV.
 These persistent viral infections can slowly degrade the immune system, lead to bone marrow failure, and even cause cancer. Prevention can be as simple as identification and segregation of infected cats, yet most cats are never tested even once in their lives. Alarmed by this trend, the American Association of Feline Practitioners is releasing guidelines for diagnosing, treating, and preventing these infections.
The guidelines call for the universal testing of all cats - regardless of their previous testing history - when they are:
- first acquired
- following a high-risk event
- and whenever cats become sick
“Retroviral infection rates have remained stubbornly elevated for the past two decades,” said Dr. Julie Levy, who chaired the international committee of experts that reviewed research findings from around the globe for the latest clues about the viruses. “There has been a tremendous increase in the understanding of how these viruses attack and evade the immune system but less success in preventing new infections.” Each virus affects approximately 1-3% of all cats in the United States, making them among the most common life-threatening diseases in cats.
The risk of infection with at least one of the viruses rises steeply in cats with certain maladies, such as 19% of cats with abscesses or bite wounds and 14% of cats with oral inflammation. Interestingly, infection rates among pet cats that roam outdoors are similar to those of free-roaming feral cats. “Scientists have given us an entire menu of new tests to choose from and novel vaccines have been coming to the market,” Levy said. “We are even starting to see medications that are specifically licensed for treatment of infected cats. Still, the best tool we have to fight these infections is to prevent exposure to them in the first place.
As our feline patients’ primary advocate, we veterinarians must assure that every pet is tested.” Simple inexpensive patient-side tests can be performed in veterinary offices in just a few minutes. These tests allow owners to identify infected cats and to prevent the spread of infection by restricting infected cats from roaming where they may encounter other cats. The AAFP does not recommend euthanasia of cats that prove to be infected. Instead, management guidelines are provided to keep them as healthy as possible.
The AAFP has also provided guidelines for preventing spread of infections in cash-strapped animal shelters. “This is a transitional time for the animal welfare field as demand grows for life-saving solutions for homeless cats,” Levy explained. “The desire to save more homeless cats and to provide a better quality of life for cats in shelters and feral cat neutering programs means program directors have to designate limited resources for the best cost:benefit ratio. We’ve given shelters strategies for stretching their budgets for testing and vaccination for the best impact.”
Although much progress has been made refining diagnostic tests and vaccinations, the development of treatments for infected cats has lagged behind. The AAFP is calling on scientists and animal health funding agencies to make a top priority of developing and evaluating antiretroviral treatments for the millions of cats that are already infected.
The AAFP is composed of veterinarians devoted to improving the health and well-being of cats by supporting high standards of practice, continuing education, and scientific investigation. The 2008 American Association of Feline Practitioners’ Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines will receive international exposure when they are published in the June issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. They can also be viewed CatVets.com under Practice Guidelines - 2008 Feline Retrovirus Management.
Panel members included:
- Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVIM, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhD, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Katrin Hartmann, Dr. med. vet., Dr. habil., Dipl ECVIM-CA, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
- Regina Hofmann-Lehmann, Dr. med. vet., Dr. habil., FVH, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Susan Little, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Feline Practice), Winn Feline Foundation, 1805 Atlantic Ave., P.O. Box 1005, Manasquan, NJ 08736-0805
- Eliza Sundahl, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Feline Practice), KC Cat Clinic, 7107 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64114
7. Vicki Thayer, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Feline Practice), Purrfect Practice PC,
P.O. Box 550, Lebanon, OR 97355
Dr. Jim Richards was leading the team of experts preparing this update on retroviral infections in cats when he suffered a fatal accident. His loss was felt around the world. These guidelines are dedicated in memory of Jim, one of the greatest advocates cats ever had.
Tribute to Dr. James Robert Richards
by: Dr. Fred Scott
Cornell Feline Health Center
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