Cat Owner’s Guide To Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

As its name suggests, the feline immunodeficiency virus attacks your cat’s immune system. The immune system will eventually become disabled leaving your cat unprotected against various infections. Most cats that carry this virus are of the roaming variety. It can also affect larger felines such as tigers, lions and leopards.

Transmission

The feline immunodeficiency virus is shed in saliva. Infected cats can easily transmit the virus by biting other cats. The virus is rarely transmitted through the mother’s milk. However, mothers can pass the virus if she is affected during gestation or lactation.

Symptoms

Some of the most common signs of this viral infection include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and lethargy. Many cats also suffer from chronic oral infections. This virus can also cause your cat to display symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. This include discharge from the nose and feline sneezing.

Diagnosis

The feline immunodeficiency virus can be detected by testing for antibodies against the disease. This method of diagnosis usually takes less than an hour. However, the most common test used to diagnose this disease may produce false positives. In order to confirm the positive result, a Western blot assay is usually done.

Treatment

Just like in humans, there is no treatment for the immunodeficiency virus. Most cats infected with this virus die from secondary infections. If diagnosed, you will have to limit the amount of stress your cat endures. You should also keep him away from other animals to prevent disease. Antibiotics can also be used for the secondary infections. You should also make sure your cat has plenty of fluids and follows a good diet.

Prognosis

After diagnosis, a cat’s lifespan can vary widely. Felines infected with this virus may not show any symptoms at all for years. However, once the disease advances, cats usually die within a year.

All owners should know a little something about various cat illnesses such as feline hypertension. Fortunately for you, cat-illnesses.com is a great resource for all owners. Stop by right now to learn about some of these health problems.

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Info On Cat Care Symptoms You Should Know About

When you or I are suffering we can obviously make it known and attempt to find the solution to heal our issue. A cat will not be able to do this but by paying close attention to them you can still get a good understanding of if they are suffering. For this reason it is important to be able to recognise your cats symptoms.

Next are a few points relating to cats behaviour you should pay attention for and their symptoms.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most concerning disease and in fact is the primary cause of death amongst cats. It is caused by a coronavirus infection and the worst thing is that the symptoms are very common with other ailments so it is very hard to be sure.

There is also Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) that is similar to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Just like the human version, it is a life long infection that progresses slowly and kills the cat.

Cats can also be infected by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). This is a retrovirus that leads to fatal cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. On the positive side, it can be treated using some home detergents and bleach as well as warmth and drying. It is passed through the saliva, tears, urine and feces of infected cats. Unlike the other two, it cannot survive very long in the environment so it is only contagious when the infected cat stays with a fellow cat for a long period of time.

Worms are also another threat to cats and this is caused by a fungal infection that is spread through the spores. Since it is a self-limiting disease, you don

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