Changes

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

The signs of feline immunodeficiency virus infection can be very variable, as signs are dependent on the secondary infections that become established. However, differential diagnoses for the immunosuppressive effects and some other primary effects of the virus include [[Feline Leukaemia Virus|feline leukaemia virus]] infection, [[Toxoplasmosis - Small Animal|toxoplasmosis]] and the [[Feline Infectious Peritonitis|dry form of FIP]]⁶. Primary bacterial, parasitic, viral or fungal infections should also be ruled out⁵.

The signs of feline immunodeficiency virus infection can be very variable, as signs are dependent on the secondary infections that become established. However, differential diagnoses for the immunosuppressive effects and some other primary effects of the virus include [[Feline Leukaemia Virus|feline leukaemia virus]] infection, [[Toxoplasmosis - Cat and Dog|toxoplasmosis]] and the [[Feline Infectious Peritonitis|dry form of FIP]]⁶. Primary bacterial, parasitic, viral or fungal infections should also be ruled out⁵.

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

The clinical signs in the immunosuppressive stage of the disease are related to secondary infections and are therefore extremely variable. Clinically, the associated conditions cannot be distinguished from those occurring in feline leukaemia virus-related immunosuppression. Patients often present with vague signs, such as inappetance or weight loss, and a history of recurrent minor illness related to the gastrointestinal or upper respiratory tract is common. Disease of the oral cavity including gingivitis and stomatitis is frequently seen. This can be linked to secondary pathogens such as [[Feline Calicivirus|calicivirus]] and oral bacteria. Calicivirus, along with other organisms such as [[Feline Herpesvirus 1|herpesvirus]], ''Toxoplasma gondii'' and ''Chlamydia psittaci'', can cause ocular signs including conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis and chorioretinitis in 35% of cases. Similar microbes give rise to secondary cat flu, and diarrhoea occurs in a quarter of affected cats.  Other common signs due to immunosupression include anaemia (due to ''[[Haemobartonella felis]]''), meningoencephalitis, pneumonia, glomerulonephritis, renal failure, cystitis and pyoderma, caused by a variety of bacteria. The potentiating effects of FIV on FeLV infection can also induce neoplasia.

The clinical signs in the immunosuppressive stage of the disease are related to secondary infections and are therefore extremely variable. Clinically, the associated conditions cannot be distinguished from those occurring in feline leukaemia virus-related immunosuppression. Patients often present with vague signs, such as inappetance or weight loss, and a history of recurrent minor illness related to the gastrointestinal or upper respiratory tract is common. Disease of the oral cavity including gingivitis and stomatitis is frequently seen. This can be linked to secondary pathogens such as [[Feline Calicivirus|calicivirus]] and oral bacteria. Calicivirus, along with other organisms such as [[Feline Herpesvirus 1|herpesvirus]], ''[[Toxoplasma gondii]]'' and ''Chlamydia psittaci'', can cause ocular signs including conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis and chorioretinitis in 35% of cases. Similar microbes give rise to secondary cat flu, and diarrhoea occurs in a quarter of affected cats.  Other common signs due to immunosupression include anaemia (due to ''[[Haemobartonella felis]]''), meningoencephalitis, pneumonia, glomerulonephritis, renal failure, cystitis and pyoderma, caused by a variety of bacteria. The potentiating effects of FIV on FeLV infection can also induce neoplasia.

The virus itself may also have certain effects. Half of all cats affected display lymphomegaly, and pyrexia occurs in 30% of cases². Anaemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia are commonly seen, as well as diarrhoea and uveitis. Neurological signs, renal disease and neoplasia may also be direct effects of feline immunodeficiency virus.

The virus itself may also have certain effects. Half of all cats affected display lymphomegaly, and pyrexia occurs in 30% of cases². Anaemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia are commonly seen, as well as diarrhoea and uveitis. Neurological signs, renal disease and neoplasia may also be direct effects of feline immunodeficiency virus.