The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and What It Means For Cat Health Care
An untreatable cat health care problem, the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is not uncommon because there is not presently a vaccine available, despite the best efforts of researchers and vets. Because this serious cat health care problem is passed from one cat to another in the saliva when they bite each other, it is especially prevalent amongst un-castrated male cats who are more likely to fight.
The virus is similar to HIV in humans, so it works by attacking and killing the white blood cells in the cat.This is dangerous to the cat because the white blood cells are responsible for fighting off infection. This means that cats which have been infected by the virus are significantly more susceptible to picking up infections which will be more likely to bring about complications than in healthier cats.
All cat owners should be as vigilant as possible about their pet’s cat health care, so it is wise to look out for the symptoms of FIV. Swollen lymph glands, eye and nose discharge, gum disease known as gingivitis, reduced appetite, anaemia and skin infections are some of the more common symptoms. Pet owners do not always realise the scale of the threat to cat health care posed by FIV because infected cats can and very often do appear outwardly healthy, sometimes for many years.
At present cat health care experts have been unable to find a treatment for the virus, but secondary infections can be managed with antibiotics giving the infected cat a better quality of life. There is not sure fire way of avoiding the disease because there is no vaccine, but keeping cats from mixing and fighting with other cats helps. Ensuring that your cat has been castrated is also a good idea because castrated cats are less inclined to fight with others.
