Learn about the symptoms and causes of immunodeficiency in cats.
The immune system is your cat's defense against parasites, viruses, and bacteria in the outside world. When this defense is weak or compromised, cats are more susceptible to life-threatening diseases. In this guide from Lana Bates, we'll explore the symptoms of immunodeficiency in cats and everything you need to know about it.
Symptoms of immunodeficiency in cats and what is immunodeficiency?
Weak immune systems in cats, as well as other animals, are caused by a deficiency in a type of white blood cell called macrophages. These macrophages are an essential part of the immune system, as they engulf foreign invaders that contaminate the blood, a process known in veterinary medicine as phagocytosis. A deficiency in phagocytosis caused by infection or an abnormally low number of macrophages present at birth can make cats particularly susceptible to gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin infections.
The most prominent symptoms of immunodeficiency in cats
Kittens with a weakened immune system are generally healthy during the first months of life, but when kittens stop nursing, their supply of antibodies dries up, and they gradually become susceptible to physical infections. Noticeable symptoms of immunodeficiency in cats include:
- Constantly getting sick
- Recurrent infections or infections that do not respond to conventional treatment
- stunted growth
- loss of appetite
- laziness
- pale fur
- Symptoms related to a weakened immune system (feline parvovirus, feline leukemia virus, or feline immunodeficiency virus)
- Symptoms caused by infection (bacterial, viral, or parasitic)
What are the causes of weak immune systems in cats?
A weak immune system can either be a congenital disorder that a cat is born with or the immune system can be weakened by conditions known to attack infection-fighting white blood cells, phagocytes.
Congenital immunodeficiency in cats
A cat born with an immunodeficiency disorder has an abnormally low number of phagocytes and will have difficulty fighting off disease, leading to life-threatening conditions. There is no cure for this immunodeficiency disorder.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) attacks the immune system, causing low red and white blood cell counts. The virus is spread from cat to cat through bites, and a cat may not show symptoms of FIV and infection for months or even years after contracting the virus. The virus infects cats for life, leading to a weakened immune system.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
It's a global virus, and despite the use of vaccines, it remains the leading cause of death among cats. It severely suppresses the immune system, leading to conditions such as intestinal inflammation, reproductive disorders, immune-mediated diseases, anemia, and cancer.
Feline parvovirus (FPV)
It is a severe, immunosuppressive viral infection that usually affects cats in the short term. The parvovirus attacks lymphocytes, which are white blood cells, making cats susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections and developing feline immunodeficiency symptoms.
How is immunodeficiency diagnosed in cats?
Diagnosing your cat's immunodeficiency will begin with a review of your cat's medical history. Your veterinarian will review your cat's medical record, but you should share any historical data you have with the vet to determine when the problem began, the symptoms of immunodeficiency in cats, and possible causes. After your veterinarian shares notes with you, they may proceed to:
- physical examination
- Complete blood count (CBC): A test in which the number of blood cells in a single blood sample is counted to determine the total cell count.
- Urinalysis : Urine examination.
- Biochemistry profile : A test that measures blood components and provides an overview of most of the body's functions.
- Additional diagnostic tests may be completed based on the results of previous tests.
How is a weak immune system treated in cats?
There is no cure for feline congenital immunodeficiency syndrome (FCM), and viral immunodeficiency syndrome (VIS) in cats is often not detected early enough to effectively treat the condition. Therefore, no effective treatment has been found to treat feline immunodeficiency syndrome (FIS), but supportive care and prevention are known to effectively prolong life.
Your veterinarian may offer treatment for secondary conditions that come with congenital and viral immune system deficiencies, such as:
- Antibiotics to fight bacterial infections
- Antimicrobial medications to combat fungal/yeast infections
- chemotherapy
How to help your cat recover from feline immunodeficiency syndrome (FIDS)?
The key to keeping your cat healthy when their immune system is compromised is prevention. Isolating your cat from other cats and animals, as well as preventing them from leaving the house, is often the first rule when it comes to managing a weakened immune system. Your veterinarian will advise you on vaccinations and may recommend additional vaccinations for your cat that they might not normally require. Since secondary infections are very common in cats with compromised immune systems, you can expect your cat to visit the veterinarian frequently and undergo various courses of prescribed medical treatment.
Veterinarians often advise breeders and owners of cats with known immune deficiencies to refrain from reproductive practices. These weakened immune systems can be passed on to future generations if affected cats are allowed to reproduce.