Plus-Hex CLINICAL
Figure 6 . Further study into rates of FIV positivity in colonies of stray cats in other areas of London is recommended .
Further study
Additional research could be conducted following local ‘ trap , neuter , release ’ schemes . Monitoring infection rates pre- and post-surgical castration could allow investigation of whether a reduction in aggression affects rates of FIV transmission . Further study could also be conducted in other areas of London to determine whether infection rates can be replicated and whether stray cat colonies are testing FIV + above the expected threshold ( Figure 6 ).
Limitations
There is a risk of skewed results , due to the possibility of false-positive or false-negative results for FIV in this study . MEGACOR FIV / FeLV FASTests have been found to be 99.2 % specific regarding FIV results and 96.4 % sensitive . Based on predictive values , the FIV results could potentially include up to three falsepositive and three false-negative results . However , this would not affect the findings if this were the case . Furthermore , the accuracy of the tests could be affected by inappropriate usage by staff or issues with the samples , such as haemolysis . Additional limitations include the accuracy of records kept on the patients ' care and treatment .
Conclusions
This study has confirmed a correlation between a cat ' s sex and its risk of being infected with FIV , while also identifying a difference in FIV + rates depending on neuter status . Entire male cats were found to be more likely to test positive for FIV compared with neutered male cats and female cats in general .
The prevalence of FIV identified among stray cats in north London was higher than previously found in existing research and the estimated national average . However , the patients in this study required immediate veterinary treatment , including humane euthanasia , which may not be the case for sample pools in other studies .
Existing evidence has identified the positive effects of surgical castration in reducing behaviours such as roaming and aggression . The veterinary profession could now offer further education to current and future cat owners on FIV prevention , with evidence now available to substantiate the benefits of cat castration in this regard .
Key points
• Entire male cats are more predisposed to becoming infected with FIV compared with neutered male cats , entire female cats and neutered female cats .
• Entire male cats are at a higher risk of mortality compared with neutered male cats .
• Cat bites are associated with an increased risk of FIV infection and transmission .
• Surgical castration could be investigated as a means of preventing FIV infection .
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital for allowing access to the stray cat archives , and Dr Nick Wheelhouse BSc ( Hons ), PhD , the author ' s project supervisor .
Volume 39 ( 3 ) • June 2024
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