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How to care for an FIV Positive Cat

How to care for an FIV Positive Cat

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is an infectious disease that attacks the cat’s immune system. If it is positive, it causes AIDS in cats, similar to AIDS caused by the human immunodeficiency virus in humans. But FIV cannot be transmitted to humans. The virus works by slaughtering or damaging cells in the cat’s immune system, often targeting white blood cells. Cats suffering from FIV appear normal for a long time, but infections can pose other risks due to a weakened immune system. Conditions can cause severe disease. A small sample of blood is tested for diagnosis. A confirmatory test usually follows a positive screening test. People think that FIV and Feline leukaemia virus is one disease because their symptoms are the same but are different. While both belong to the retrovirus family, they cause different diseases.

How to care for an FIV Positive Cat

Infected cats have living difficulties. Although FIV can be life-threatening. But with proper care, she can be happy with you for a long time. Here are a few rules for proper care.

  • Accomplish physical checkups after every six months.
  • Watch on weight loss.
  • Have a complete blood count, biochemistry analysis, urinalysis, and bowel exam at least once a year.
  • Neutral your cat.
  • Keep the infected cat at home to control the virus.
  • Provide a full-nutrient diet.
  • Avoid uncooked foods, such as raw meat and eggs, and minimize the risk of bacterial and parasitic infections from eating unpasteurized dairy products.
  • Consider preventive vaccinations and vaccinations that are tailored to specific cats.

How FIV positive can affect Cats

FIV is usually seen in unprotected male cats. It is spread through bites and body fluids and is not applied in the environment. The virus can go to the child from the mother. For these reasons, All cats should be neutered at four months of age, as neutering can reduce a male cat’s desire to mate, roam and fight.

Common symptoms of FIV positive

The immune system is weak in this disease, but the symptoms appear late. But when symptoms appear, you must go to doctors for medical checkups about its diagnosis.

  • Behavioral changes
  • Poor coat condition
  • Persistent fever
  • Persistent diarrhea
  • Lack of appetite
  • Slow progress but weight loss
  • Signs of neurological disorders
  • Inflammation in the mouth and gums
  • Acute eye condition
  • Skin infection
  • Inflammation in the upper respiratory tract or bladder
How the FIV can be Transmitted

Most Cases come from the infected cat and its bite. Viruses can not be transmitted by the pot of cats and their food. The virus spreads through contact with the infected cats. The virus can go to the child from the mother. You should take a few steps to keep the virus from spreading.

  • Keep the cat indoors and prevent it from going to crowded places.
  • Make sure other cats living with the infected cat have FIV tested negative.
  • Make sure that you have adopted a new cat and that it is not affected by FIV.
  • Complete the Vaccination.
  • FIV infection is most in aged 5 to 10 years cats.
  • Male cats are twice as likely to be infected with FIV as females.
Treatment for FIV Cat

Unfortunately, no cure has been discovered yet. One study found that FIV-positive cats lived an average of 5 years after their diagnosis. There is no specific treatment, but with good care, the cat can live a long life as described above. There are a few recommended cures for FIV cats.

  • Medicines to help with any secondary infections.
  • Fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy.
  • Parasite control.
  • Medicines for strength and resistance.
  • Full nutrient diet.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications.
FIV Contagious

If there are more cats, they must get their FIV tested. Otherwise, there is a risk of spreading the virus. Infections from cats can be transmitted to other cats, so you need to take special precautions for them. Most of the risk is in contact. It can go from mother to baby. Keep similar cats separate; if possible, keep them in isolation. The best way to prevent the spread to other cats is to isolate the infected cat from interacting with other housemates.

Life expectancy for Cats with FIV

The life of FIV cats is reduced due to this virus, but it is impossible to predict it. But if managed properly, they can live a normal life for years. A study has found that with proper care, FIV cats, they can live as long as normal cats.

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