Persistently infected cats may appear normal for years. Eventually, signs of immunodeficiency begin to develop, and the cat's ability to protect itself against infection is compromised. Clinical signs of the immunodeficiency syndrome appear throughout the body. Poor coat condition and persistent fever with a loss of appetite are commonly seen. Chronic or recurrent infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and upper respiratory tract are often present.
Persistent diarrhea can be a problem.
Inflammation of the tissues of the eye occurs frequently, but in most cats the damage is not clinically apparent. Slow but progressive weight loss also is common, followed by severe wasting late in the disease process. Abortion of kittens or other reproductive failures have been noted in infected queens. Some infected cats experience seizures, mental deterioration, and other neurologic disorders. In those cases, low white blood cell counts and anemia also appear to cycle, with episodes of low cell counts followed by recovery to nearly normal levels.