Clinical, hematologic, and survival data from cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus: 42 cases (1983-1988)

A retrospective study of stored feline serum samples was done to determine the infection rate of feline immunodeficiency virus in cats in central Missouri. Infected cats were compared with uninfected cats subjected to the same selection criteria on the basis of signalment, clinical signs, and CBC abnormalities. A significant incidence of virus infection was found in male cats. Neither age nor breed predilection could be identified. Infected cats were more likely to be anemic and leukopenic because of neutropenia. Cellulitis and neoplasia were more common in infected cats. A spectrum of disease severity was seen in infected cats ranging from no clinical signs to signs of severe chronic inflammatory disease. Infected cats were more likely to have clinical disease. Mean survival of infected cats was 24.4 months from the time of diagnosis.