Cat Owner’s Guide To Immunodeficiency Virus In Cats
Your cat’s immune system is targeted by the feline immunodeficiency virus. Eventually, the immune system will be unable to protect your cat against various infections. Roaming cats commonly carry this virus. Leopards, tigers, lions, and other large cats can also be affected.
Transmission
Cats shed this virus in their saliva. Therefore, it can easily be transmitted to your cat if he is bitten by an infected cat. Although the mother can transmit it via her milk, this is very rare. However, mothers can pass the virus if she is affected during gestation or lactation.
Signs
Infected cats display a variety of signs. They include weight loss, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes. Chronic oral infections are also common. This virus can also cause your cat to display symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. This include discharge from the nose and cat sneezing.
Diagnosis
Felines infected with this virus produce antibodies against it. Diagnosis is made by detecting these antibodies. It usually takes less than an hour for this method of diagnosis. However, the main test to detect the feline immunodeficiency virus can sometimes render false positives. Therefore, if there is a positive result, it’s usually best to confirm the diagnosis with a Western blot assay.
Treatment
There is no treatment for the immunodeficiency virus in felines. The main cause of death for cats affected with this virus is from secondary infections. Therefore, you will need to eliminate stress and exposure to other animals so that your cat doesn’t get sick. Some secondary infections can be treated using antibiotics. It’s also important that your cat drinks plenty of fluids coupled with a good diet.
Prognosis
After diagnosis, a cat’s lifespan can vary widely. Cats can live for years without showing any signs of disease at all. However, once the disease advances, cats usually die within a year.
There are many diseases that can possibly affect your pet like feline hypertension. Fortunately for you, cat-illnesses.com is a great resource for all owners. Make sure you come by to read all about these health conditions.
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