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| Feline AIDS: The Silent Killer | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 3 2008, 06:14 PM (27 Views) | |
| Kiki | Apr 3 2008, 06:14 PM Post #1 |
Princess Brat
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Right, my mate sent me this, and true to form I don't know whether it's a windup.
:o Yeah, I might be excessively dim but.... people... advice! See, if it's not a wind up then it's horrible and should be in the NewsDom or something, and if it is a wind up, well at least you can all laugh at me and my blondeness (no offence to Sandy or other blondes!). Feline AIDS is a viral infection, commonly known as FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), and is spread by cats fighting. Just like human HIV (AIDS), cats infected with FIV can develop a reduced ability to fight off infections as the disease progressively disables the immune system. What are the signs of Feline AIDS? Once infected, cats may seem healthy and signs may not develop for up to 7 years. Eventually cats with AIDS will show a range of symptoms such as: Anorexia (loss of appetite) Weight loss Depression Mouth and gum disease (ulcers, bad breath, tooth loss) Persistent diarrhoea, vomiting and anaemia Respiratory, urinary and skin infections Nervous system problems and behavioural abnormalities (dementia). How does my cat get AIDS? Cats are mostly infected through fighting and biting, as the virus is present in the saliva. This means that older, male, outdoor cats are most at risk. How can I tell if my cat has AIDS? Your vet will look at your cat’s medical history and any signs of illness present before deciding whether to test for AIDS. A simple blood test is used to diagnose the presence of the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Can Feline AIDS be cured? Unfortunately, the FIV virus cannot be killed and there is no cure. Once there is immunodeficiency present, and your cat has developed Feline AIDS, treatment is aimed to help stop infections and give supportive care until the disease is fatal, or your cat needs to be euthanased. How can I prevent AIDS infection in my cat? Since the virus is spread by fighting, keeping your cat indoors will prevent exposure. The virus is fragile and does not survive well in the environment. There is now a vaccine available so speak to your vet about incorporating it into your cat's vaccination programme. What do I do if my cat has AIDS? Having the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is not an immediate death sentence as many positive cats live for years without signs of disease, and it is not clear if all infected cats will become ill. However, you should keep your cat indoors to prevent it spreading the disease, and to prevent it from picking up other infections once its immune system is affected. |
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| Phoenix | Apr 3 2008, 06:16 PM Post #2 |
Superemely Decadent Outlaw Superhero
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It is a real condition Kiki. Many cats are killed by it every year :curtsey :hugz |
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| Temerity | Apr 3 2008, 06:19 PM Post #3 |
Member
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Yeah I've heard of it aswell, very horrible :( |
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| Kiki | Apr 3 2008, 06:20 PM Post #4 |
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Princess Brat
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Ah ha! Thank you. I'm so glad my cats are house cats. My mates have a tendency to wind me up so I wasn't sure. :unsure: And noone at work could enlighten me either. *wanders off to hug my babies* |
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8:24 PM Nov 28
