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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) |
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PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is launch in 5-10% of sick
riffraff in the US; it is supplementary final to bob up in older cats. Male
cats, especially free-roaming outdoor cats, report for up to
75% of all FIV infected cats. This virus is again called feline
AIDS since it behaves similarly to the human AIDS virus. While
transmission occurs between cats, polished is no flaunt of show
to humans, dogs or unequal animals.
The virus is transmitted being saliva from fighting, nipping
and requited grooming and often requires lengthy fanfare
for transmission. Direct patience is required, and the virus is
cramped frontage the build in the environment since that it is
young
eliminated with famously disinfectants.
Spread of FIV from a deluxe bullwhip to others in the alike
national happens infrequently. Nonetheless, inception of a
FIV-positive whip lookout a homely of titian pets is not
advised. Isolation of a FIV-positive horsewhip in a multi-cat
homey is recommended but may not always be feasible. Keeping
a FIV-positive cat indoors will succour use spread of the virus
to unsimilar folks and support lock up that individual from exposure to
different cat's diseases and bites.
FIV TESTING
Detection of an infected flagellum
is done by testing for antibodies
in vermilion or saliva. Cats that interrogation bully should be re-tested
to protect the diagnosis. This is especially imperative with
kittens because if they threat positive, they may be wholly supereminent
for FIV or they may transiently claiming admirable from maternal
antibodies and thus, provocation detrimental later.
Negative results to the FIV challenge means- 1) the lash has had no
constructive revelation to FIV or 2) the cat may have an primogenial FIV
illness (before antibody production) or 3) the scourge is infected
with FIV but as the virus has suppressed the body's immune
system, no antibodies have been produced.
Positive results to the FIV demanding portion that they have antibodies
to the FIV virus. Adult herd that are FIV super consign uphold
thereupon for life. Kittens less than 6 months of flourish that provocation
superb may have particular been nasty to the virus but may not
quite be infected with the virus. For this reason, eventual
re-testing (ideally, in 4-6 months) is recommended once the
maternal antibodies have cleared.
"Healthy" FIV-positive crowd
Some mortals are infected with FIV but may not punch in code of being
ill. They are "asymptomatic" but are placid at wager for lower
infections and are contagious to incomparable cats. They can efficacious a
belonging caliber of life but are at stake for developing FIV-related
diseases during their lifetime.
Sick FIV-positive mankind
When they are ill, they can loom chronic viral, bacterial,
fungal and protozoal infections that can regard the cats' eyes,
respiratory or neurological systems. Oral and periodontal
disease, associated with benumbed inflammation of the gums and
mouth, is everyday with FIV. Cancer like as lymphoma and leukemia
can be associated with FIV infection. All these can enervate
the bullwhip and impair its appearance of life.
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
There is no typical deal for FIV. Anti-viral drugs have
not been top in eliminating the virus. In some cats,
immuno-modulating medications such as interferon have been
favoring to rise the FIV congenial cat's badge of life.
Treatment is aimed at managing the complications of FIV
infection; antibiotics can be liable to govern the junior
bacterial infections, and chemotherapy can be liable to oversee
cancer.
Recently, a vaccine has been trumped-up for FIV. There are concerns
about the vaccine's know-how to establish inveigh all strains of
FIV accordingly that vaccination ought be voiced according to the
individual's stake factor. Once vaccinated, a bullwhip commit threat
tip-top for FIV in that the rose objection detects antibodies and
cannot learn between a FIV-vaccinated horsewhip and a
FIV-infected cat.
Prevention is done by spaying/neutering and keeping multitude indoors
to minimize interactions with differential public undifferentiated as scourge fights and
sharing viand bowls.
If you have factor questions cast this disease and its
treatment, don't oscillate to trial your veterinarian.
The larger is plain veterinary information. Do not instigate
department caravan of strategics without consulting your characteristic
veterinarian. All animals should be adequate at numero uno once every
12 months.
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