Like human AIDS, there is a human immunodeficiency virus in cats. He is FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).Although it belongs to the same family as HIV, no current data suggests a possible transmission to humans.
Your cat can contract FIV virus if bitten by another infected cat. But in general, the virus is not transmitted between cats in the same household. Your infected cat can continue living at home with your other cats. The main target of the virus is the lone adult male cat, who defends his territory. The virus does not pass the placenta, kittens born to infected mothers are healthy at birth. By cons, they can become infected by drinking milk from their mothers, or through saliva.
Symptoms
FIV causes a malfunction in the immune system of the cat: the white blood cells no longer function properly.
Initially, your cat is suffering from fever, and lymph nodes can swell for 2-3 months. At this point, it is particularly prone to infections of the skin and intestines.
Then, the cat recovered, but the virus persists in his blood. From that moment, it can transmit FIV to other cats. For several years (3-5 years), the cat can excrete the virus without suspecting her condition leaves her infection.Later, swelling of the lymph returns.
Finally, end-stage disease is characterized by viral and bacterial infections resulting from immunosuppression caused by the virus. Then observed infections in the mouth, nose, eyes, skin, and intestines. The cat may also suffer from anemia, fever and weight loss.
All these symptoms usually occur in cats of a decade.
Initially, your cat is suffering from fever, and lymph nodes can swell for 2-3 months. At this point, it is particularly prone to infections of the skin and intestines.
Then, the cat recovered, but the virus persists in his blood. From that moment, it can transmit FIV to other cats. For several years (3-5 years), the cat can excrete the virus without suspecting her condition leaves her infection.Later, swelling of the lymph returns.
Finally, end-stage disease is characterized by viral and bacterial infections resulting from immunosuppression caused by the virus. Then observed infections in the mouth, nose, eyes, skin, and intestines. The cat may also suffer from anemia, fever and weight loss.
All these symptoms usually occur in cats of a decade.
Diagnosis
To see if your cat is infected with FIV, it is necessary to look for antibodies in his blood. But be aware that techniques for detecting these antibodies are not infallible and that a negative result can be obtained from an infected cat!In addition, some infected cats remain negative for a period exceeding one year after infection. Finally, a positive cat may never develop the disease!
Prevention and Treatment
Unfortunately there is no vaccine to protect your feline friend with this disease.However, you can decrease the risk of infecting your male cat by asking your vet to neuter. Indeed, castration reduces the generally aggressive and territorial male cats, and thereby reduces the risk of battles and then bites!
If your cat is achieved by IVF, we need to control infections using antibiotics.Recently, there are also veterinary medicines antiviral that can delay progression of the disease.
If your cat is achieved by IVF, we need to control infections using antibiotics.Recently, there are also veterinary medicines antiviral that can delay progression of the disease.
Finally, it should not be confused with another FIV cat virus also induces immunodeficiency: FeLV. This causes a contagious disease called "leukemia."Unlike the IVF, it is possible to protect your friend against FeLV by being vaccinated.
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