How Do Cats Get Aids

Can Cats Inherit Fiv

It is not as simple to pass on FIV to a cat as it is to a dog. To keep it safe, it must not be left lying casually in a litter box, a bowl of water, or while snuggling or playing. This disease is rarely spread from mother to child. It can be transmitted through blood transfusions, badly infected gums, or serious wounds that have been penetrated by an infected bite.

What Is Fiv And How Is It Spread

Feline immunodeficiency virus belongs to the retrovirus family of viruses in a group called lentiviruses. Lentiviruses typically only cause disease slowly and thus infected cats may remain healthy for many years.

Once a cat has been infected with FIV, the infection is virtually always permanent , and the virus will be present in the saliva of an infected cat. The most common way for the virus to be transmitted from one cat to another is via a cat bite, where saliva cottoning the virus is inoculated under the skin of another cat. The virus does not survive long in the environment and is readily killed by common disinfectants. Rarely, the virus may also be spread by non-aggressive contact between cats , from a pregnant queen to her kittens and it can also be spread through blood transfusions.

It is not known if blood sucking parasites such as fleas can spread infection so it is wise to maintain a regular flea control programme.

Treatment For Cats With Immunodeficiency

The best cure is prevention, however, although the AIDS disease in cats has no vaccine, with proper care an infected pet can have a happy life.

To prevent your cat from becoming infected with the AIDS virus, remember to control your visits to the outdoors. Always avoid fights with stray cats and do a checkup at least once a year. Even more frequently if they come home with some scratch or bite. If this was not enough and your cat is infected you have to work on strengthening their immune system.

There are antimicrobial drugs that can help control infections or bacteria that attack the animal. We must keep in mind that these treatments must be carried out constantly, otherwise our feline friend may develop new infections. There are also anti-inflammatory drugs that will help control diseases such as gingivitis and stomatitis.

As well as medication, you should also alter your usual feeding routine for cats with AIDS. It is recommended that their diet be high in calories, to fight against the deterioration of the infected animal.

No treatment acts directly on the FIV itself. What we can do to help our pet and give them a decent life is to keep any diseases at bay that may attack while their immune system is weak.

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Are There Uncommon Symptoms

Some cats may experience changes in behavior. They may have frequent seizures, and even develop neurological disorders such as trouble with reflexes and delayed reactions. Cats with FIV are also more likely to develop blood diseases and cancer, which bring their own set of symptoms.

Since the immune system becomes compromised, other infections and diseases may develop. Many times, this includes skin infections that leave the skin dry. It can also cause hair loss. Nasal infections may make cats sneeze repeatedly, experience a cough, and have nasal discharge.

Sleep patterns may also be changed.

Is There A Cure For Fiv

There is no cure for FIV. However, most cats with FIV live healthy, happy lives during the asymptomatic period, and treatment options are available to manage secondary conditions.

While precautions should still be taken to prevent the spread of this disease, a diagnosis of FIV is by no means a death sentence. If your cat is FIV-positive, it simply means you should be aware of the risks and treatment options for your cat to keep them as healthy as possible.

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How Long Do Cats Live With Feline Aids

The prognosis for cats that are FIV positive, but without showing signs of illness, can be very good, with some cats living for almost as long as cats that are FIV negative. However, cats that have developed Feline AIDS, with severe signs of disease, have a poorer prognosis.

Their remaining lifespan may be just a few months, but with the right treatment, this may be extended to several years.

Prognosis For Infected Cats

The prognosis for FIV-infected cats is guarded, but depends on the stage of disease. If FIV is diagnosed early, there may be a long period during which the cat is free of clinical signs related to FIV, and not all infected cats go on to develop an immunodeficiency syndrome. Infection is almost invariably permanent, but many infected cats can be maintained with a good quality of life for extended periods.

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Key Points For Fiv Cats

• All cats especially males should be neutered to reduce their chances of catching FIV
• If you have an infected FIV cat, your cat is a risk to other cats and should be kept away from them
• Infected FIV cats can lead long and happy lives but they should be kept indoors

FIV in cats is a condition similar to the virus that causes AIDS in people, although there is no risk of people catching AIDS from infected cats. It infects the white blood cells of the immune system, killing or damaging them. A healthy immune system is needed to fight infections and monitor for cancer in the body so infected cats have a greater risk of disease and infection from other viruses and bacteria.

Once a cat is infected, then infection is permanent. Just as in human HIV infection, carriers of FIV may show no symptoms of the disease for years. Between two to five per cent of the UK cat population is thought to be infected, but there is a lot of regional and local variation. Un-neutered male cats are more at risk.

Feline Aids Transmission To Humans

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First discovered in a California cattery in 1986, FIV resembles the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS in that both are retroviruses that target their hosts’ immune systems. FIV is feline-specific, and HIV is human-specific-there are no recorded instances of a person contracting feline AIDS from a cat.

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How Is Cat Fiv Transmitted

Most cases of cat FIV come through an infected cat passing it to another through a deep bite. That makes outdoor cats especially vulnerable as they may end up in a territorial dispute that leads to such an injury. A mother cat infected with the cat FIV virus can pass it to her kittens. While FIV is contagious, cats typically do not transmit the virus by sharing an eating bowl with other cats or through other feline contact actions like:

• Social grooming
• Sneezing
• Sharing a litter box

A cat can’t transmit the FIV virus to a human. They can only pass FIV on to another cat. You can help prevent your cat from contracting the virus by:

• Keep them indoors to avoid potential contact with infected cats.
• Put a leash on your cat when you walk them outside.
• Verify that any cats that will be around your pet for prolonged periods have tested negative for FIV.
• Make sure recently adopted cats get tested for FIV.
• While FIV vaccination is not usually advised, you can discuss with your veterinarian.

FIV infections are most common among middle-aged cats between 5 and 10 years of age. Male cats are twice as likely as females to become infected with FIV.

What Symptoms Are Common

When symptoms are present, it is because the immune system has been badly compromised. It can take years before this point is reached. Common symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes and fever. This usually occurs early on, but many owners miss the symptoms.

Eventually, other symptoms arise. This typically includes a loss of appetite, and therefore weight loss, as well as inflammation of the gums, and gingivitis. Many develop chronic infections, such as with the bladder or respiratory tract. Eye conditions may develop. Diarrhea is also a common occurrence.

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Caring For An Fiv Cat

As each healthy cat is different, so is an FIV-infected one. Therefore, theres no universal guide on how to take care of your FIV cat. You only need to consider its unique individual needs. But overall, FIV positive cat-care requires the same as a healthy one. Note the following general guideline on how to take care of your FIV cat.

• Provide a stress-free living environment.
• Reduce the risk of acquiring secondary infections.
• Ensure your cat gets immediate treatment with the onset of disease symptoms.
• Prevent the spread of FIV to other cats by keeping yours indoors.
• Spaying and neutering reduce the risk of spreading FIV to kittens and other cats.
• Provide a nutritious, well-balanced diet.
• Visit your vet at least twice a year.
• Closely monitor its health and behavior.

Cats with FIV may also be administered preventive medication, such as deworming and heartworm remedies, flea and tick treatment, vitamin and mineral supplements, etc.

Taking care of an FIV-positive cat requires many veterinary visits, costing a considerable amount of money. In addition, infected cats are often administered parasite medication and need regular blood work to monitor the diseases progress. Therefore, its good to obtain pet insurance to save some money and ultimately prolong its FIV cat lifespan.

How Do Cats Catch Fiv

FIV is most commonly seen in unneutered male cats who’ve been fighting for territory. It’s spread by biting and body fluids and doesn’t spread in the environment. Kittens can sometimes be passed the infection from their mum, but many can clear it before they’re six months old.

This disease is one of the main reasons why we strongly recommend that all cats are neutered at four months of age, as neutering can reduce a male cat’s urge to mate, roam and fight.

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Fiv Its Not Feline Leukemia Its Not Curable And Its Common In Cats

Testing cats for common diseases on annual intervals is becoming standard protocol in Florida. These include Feline Internal Organ Function Tests, Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Heartworm, and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus .

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is very similar to human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. This life threatening disease has no effective treatment and is non curable. It is a Lenti-Virus closely related to the Feline Leukemia Virus and occurs in about 2% of cats in the United States. About 5% of FIV positive cats also have Feline Leukemia. It is not transmitted to humans or dogs but is transmitted to other cats by saliva, primarily through cat bites. It may also be transmitted to kittens during birthing and nursing. Not every kitten born from an FIV queen can be infected. Cats infected with FIV may live for months or years. On average, life expectancy is 5 years from the time of diagnosis depending on how active the infection is. There is a FIV vaccination given twice initially, then yearly thereafter for outside cats or cats exposed to outside cats due to the potential of cat bites. This vaccine will help prevent FIV about 80% of the time.

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Monitor Your Cat For Constipation

Monitor the frequency of your cats defecation and stool consistency at least twice a week initially, and then weekly or biweekly.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice very hard, dry feces, or if you notice that your cat is straining while defecating. Watch for any of the other signs of constipation, and contact your veterinarian if you notice diarrhea, especially, since this can quickly lead to dehydration.

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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Or Fiv

Written bySmall Door’s medical experts

Feline immunodeficiency virus , also commonly referred to as feline AIDS, can pose a serious health risk for cats. FIV may result in reduced immune function, which, as with the human immunodeficiency virus , can lead to a variety of other associated conditions. There is no cure for FIV.

In This Article

How Does Fiv Cause Disease

FIV infects cells of the immune system . The virus may kill or damage the cells it infects, or compromise their normal function. This may eventually cause a gradual decline in the cats immune function.

In the first few weeks after infection the virus replicates and may cause mild signs of disease such as a mild fever and swollen lymph nodes. Usually these signs are so mild they go unnoticed. An immune response will develop which does not eliminate the virus, but keeps viral replication at a relatively low level.

After a period of time, in some infected cats viral replication increases again, and it is typically these cats that go on to develop signs of disease. In most cases this will probably be around 2-5 years after the cat was first infected. Increased replication of the virus leads to progressive damage to the immune system.

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Are Feline Aids Contagious

Feline Aids can be passed from one cat to another. This is typically done through saliva. If an infected cat bites another, the bitten animal may become infected as well.

Male cats are more likely to catch the disease, as they are the ones who tend to fight and roam around outside.

It is also possible for a mother cat to pass the disease to her kittens. This may occur because of the blood and fluids that pass during birth. It is also possible for kittens to get the disease after drinking milk from their mother. Both of these are very uncommon and rarely occur, but they are possibilities. Typically, the kittens will test positive only because of their mothers antibodies.

It is not possible for cats to pass aids to humans. There are two separate strains that affect each of these species. HIV is for humans, while FIV is for cats. It is also not possible to spread the disease to any other type of animal, such as a dog. It is species-specific.

Did You Know That Cats Can Carry Fiv & Felv

Feline Aids immune systemhuman immunodeficiency virusFeLVFeline Leukemia

• Loss of appetite
• Slow but progressive weight loss, followed by severe wasting late in the disease process
• Poor coat condition
• Pale gums and other mucus membranes
• Inflammation of the gums and mouth
• Infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and upper respiratory tract
• Persistent diarrhea

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The Truth About Feline Aids

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is commonly known as Feline AIDS because of its similarities to Human Immunodeficiency Virus . FIV is relatively uncommon, but it can have serious impacts on a cats health and well-being.

With proper care, cats with FIV can live many years and usually can share a household with other, FIV-negative cats. Medications and good nutrition can help greatly increase the lifespan of a cat with this disease.

Dr. Debra Zoran, a professor at the Texas A& M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, discusses the stages and prognosis for cats that become infected with FIV.

FIV is not a virus that is easily contracted by contact in normal household settings, such as from grooming, eating from the same food bowl, or contact with other secretions from the nose, mouth, or urine of infected cats, Zoran said.

FIV does not survive well outside the body it is mostly transmitted through bite wounds and blood transfusions, or is passed to kittens during birth. It is also spread through breeding, so cats that are spayed or neutered have a much lower chance of contracting the disease.

A cat with FIV that is neutered and not prone to fighting can live with another cat in a household and the virus will not affect the other cat, Zoran said.

Zoran highly recommends that cats with FIV become indoor-only cats, both for their own safety and to reduce the risk of transmission to other cats.

Other Diseases You Can Catch From Your Cat

While it’s impossible to contract FIV from your cat, other zoonotic diseases may be passed onto you by your cat. Among these are cat-scratch disease, roundworms, hookworms, ringworm, cryptosporidiosis, Giardia, toxoplasmosis and rabies.

To reduce the chances of contracting a disease from your cat, follow a few simple precautions, including

• Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching cat feces or cleaning a litter box
• Washing any cat scratches or bites promptly with soap and water and
• Keeping your cat’s rabies vaccination current.

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What Causes Feline Aids

Feline AIDS is caused by Feline Immunodeficiency Virus . FIV is a retrovirus belonging to the lentivirus genus. The virus causes generalised immunosuppression, depleting specific white blood cells .

This depletion in white blood cells has a strong negative effect on the cats immune system, making the cat more susceptible to infections and illness.

Prevention & Treatment Of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

FIV has no cure. If your cat tests positive for FIV, your veterinarian will create a plan to help manage your cats health, with the goal of keeping them asymptomatic for as long as possible. Remember, the majority of cats will live long, healthy lives and they should not be euthanized.

There are steps you can take to help prevent FIV infection:

• Have your cat tested. Testing for FIV should be part of your cats regular, routine care. If you have adopted your cat from a shelter, ask if they have been tested for FIV, as well as what the results of the test were. At Cat Healthy, our protocols recommend that cats are tested in the following situations:
• At-risk cats: All sick cats, cats with bite wounds or oral disease, cats with known exposure to a retrovirus-infected cat, cats living in multi-cat environments where the status of every cat is not known. Sick cats should be tested regardless of a previous negative FIV test result.
• Newly acquired cats and kittens.
• Cats at ongoing risk of infection should be tested annually for FIV.

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