What is Feline AIDS? It is caused by infection with feline immunodeficiency virus, otherwise known as FIV. This causes a potentially fatal viral disease that interferes with the immune system of a cat. Related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there has been no reports of humans being infected with FIV. The virus lives in the blood of the infected cat and is carried in his system throughout his life. Healthy cats can contract this disease from infected cats when they come into contact through fighting with biting being the most common. Cats with FIV can remain healthy for up to 10 years, while some infected cats show no sign of the disease whatsoever. Some early symptoms of FIV are; fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, other symptoms my occour such as; weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, eye lesions, poor coat and chronic infections. Eventually the immune system will become too weak to fight off other infections or diseases and as a result of this, the cat wil die from one of these sbsequent infections. How widespread is FIV? Well it is reported in New Zealand that 15% of the feline population has this disease. In Australia this figure is slightly higher at 30%. Outdoor cats have the highest risk of contracting the disease with many cats who test positive to feline leukemia virus (FeLV) will also test positive to FIV. The disease is contracted from cat to cat primarily through bite wounds, the virus being shed in high levels in saliva. An actual bite wound is an integral part of the disease transmission, although rare, it is possible for a mother to pass the infection on to her unborn foetus. It is unlikely that the spread of FIV can occur through watering bowls or grooming. Fortunately there is a vaccination against this horrible disease for at-risk cats. Unfortunately no treatment for cure. Vaccine is available from your veterinarian who will talk to you about the best vaccination program for your cat. The vaccination programme usually consists of 3 doses at an intervaccinational interval of 2 - 4 weeks and then yearly there after. Other great ways to help to prevent your kitty getting this virus is limiting the exposure of indoor cats to outdoor cats, using caution when introducing a new cat to a multi-cat household, having a new cat tested prior to joining the household and isolating an aggressive cat from other cats. The Complete Cat Care Team have put together a great product, that covers everything from toilet training your kitty to looking after your senior cat! |
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