The human immune system can succumb to any number of bacterial or viral infections and as a result, scientific research is constantly attempting to uncover new treatments and/or cures that could aid the sufferer. One such way to do this is to draw parallels with similar conditions in animals, in order to gain a more thorough understanding of how disease can progress and how the physical body is affected.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a well-known infection that attacks the human immune system, and the cat can also fall prey to a similar type of infection called feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). If a cat is infected with FIV, a number of their immune cells can be targeted which can ultimately result in their immunity being compromised, although generally cats are able to cope with FIV infection. Interestingly, and importantly, a distinction between HIV and FIV should be drawn as both are only able to infect their relevant species (as stated via their nomenclature) (Wikipedia).

A research paper by Taffin ER at al., published in 2016 looked at the effect of FIV on a variety of different criteria in cats infected through natural causes. The following information is taken from the published abstract, but those wishing to read further can search for ‘Systolic blood pressure, routine kidney variables and renal ultrasonographic findings in cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus’, 2016 Jun 15, Journal of feline medicine and surgery. Alternatively, you can click here.

This paper worked on the premise that there were similarities between humans infected with HIV and cats infected with FIV and used data collected previously as the basis from which to draw their conclusions. In order to investigate this further, feline systolic blood pressure was examined and an association between hypertension and proteinuria explored, whilst ultrasonography was carried out to try and gain more knowledge on the feline kidney. Please note not all results listed in the abstract are discussed here. Results were taken from a cohort of just over 200 cats (both the case study group, FIV+, and the control group, FIV-), and revealed that cats that were FIV+ had reduced blood pressure and were not as prone to hypertension relative to controls. Both these results were statistically significant, and as such can be considered a ‘true phenomena’. In contrast, there appeared to be no difference in renal azotaemia, which is linked to renal filtration (Wikipedia), but there did appear to be more protein contained within urine in cats that were FIV+ (compared to creatinine), and a subsequent increase in proteinuria was also apparent in these cats too. Consequently, the researchers do not consider hypertension to be a major factor in cats FIV+ where kidney damage/subsequent proteinuria is concerned (unlike in humans). The results from ultrasound imaging revealed that cats that had contracted FIV also had certain kidney-related irregularities, although these results may not be as considerable as those results mentioned above.

In conclusion, retrospective studies (including ultrasound imaging) can help to elucidate ways in which FIV can affect cats. To see the types of ultrasound scanners we stock that are suitable for use in cats and other small animals, click here or feel free to contact us.