Understanding Feline AIDS

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FIV, also known as the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is one of the most serious cat health problems today, often having devastating consequences. Feline AIDs is said to have affected nearly 14% of the feline population worldwide while affecting nearly 2% within the United States. The following article describes some of the basic symptoms, causes and treatment as well as prevention techniques to understand and deal with this disease.

Causes of Feline AIDS

Blood and saliva are the two major transmitters of Feline AIDS. If your cat has gotten into a fight, there is a possibility of it contracting the disease through bites, cuts, and scratches etc. Interestingly, female cats can also get them during mating as they are prone to getting bitten or scratched then. Kittens might also contract this disease from their mothers during nursing. If your cats are spend long periods of times outdoors or with stray cats, they have a higher chance of contracting this condition.

Symptoms of Feline AIDS

Feline AIDS can basically be divided into three stages. The first is marked by the presence of fever, infection and swollen lymph nodes. Persistent puffiness around the region of the throat, dry nose, smelly litter box, and diarrhea combined with excessive thirst are all symptoms of the first stage of this disease. This stage lasts anywhere between a few weeks to months.

The second stage can last for months or years and can be misleading as your cat is often healthy while the virus is dormant during this period. The third stage is a chronic stage, where your pet will suffer from various cat health problems, including cancer, infections etc. Once the disease has reached the chronic stage, the cat unfortunately does not last for more than a year.

Treatment and Prevention

Feline AIDS cannot be treated successfully, although there are several treatments available to deal with the condition. However, this disease can be easily prevented through vaccination. It would thus be a good idea if you are able to vaccinate your pet against this disease as soon as possible.

Caring for your pet is very essential once it has contracted Feline AIDS. You should always ensure that it is fed properly and that infections are nipped in the bud. Immune boosters, replication inhibitors as well as food and diet supplements are some of the treatments available for this disease.

We hope that this article is useful to you in understanding feline AIDS and what you can do to prevent your pet from contracting this disease.

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