If AIDS is considered a serious disease for humans Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline immunodeficiency virus It would be a nightmare for cats as well. becauseThis type of virusThis results in cats having an immune deficiency and being unable to build immunity to protect against various diseases as well as normal cats, similar to AIDS in humans. But if the owner takes proper precautions and cares for the cat, it can help reduce the risk of the cat contracting this disease.
How severe is feline AIDS affecting a cat's health?Is there a chance to contact the breeder? Let's get to know this disease to prevent the risk of it happening to our cats.
Feline AIDS is caused by a virus. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a virus in the same family as human HIV and feline leukemia. Feline AIDS is a contagious disease that can be transmitted from one cat to another. The infection usually occurs when cats bite or scratch each other until there is a wound and come into contact with the saliva or blood of a cat that has feline AIDS. This disease is mostly found in aggressive, unneutered, and free-range male cats because they are more likely to be exposed to the virus. Meanwhile, cats that are kept indoors have a relatively low chance of being infected. Therefore, cats that like to go out or bite other cats are at a relatively high risk. Other ways of transmission, such as from mother to child and sexual contact, have a very low rate because this disease is not genetic. However, genetics affects the severity and development of the disease. Fortunately,Feline AIDS is not contagious to humans. becauseThe only animals that can be infected with FIV are cats. Keep your cat safe if it has this disease.
Symptoms of feline AIDS
External symptoms of the disease that cat owners can observe are:
- Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, emaciation
- 25-50% of infected cats have inflammation of the gums and oral mucosa.
- 30% Infected cats often have inflammation of the nose, conjunctiva, and cornea.
- 10-20% Infected cats often have persistent diarrhea.
- Cats exhibit behavioral changes due to neurological symptoms, such as restlessness, circling, aggression, etc. They have impaired vision and hearing, and have abnormalities in the nerves in their legs and feet.
- Some cats develop inflammation of the front of the eye, including the iris, which can become so severe that the pressure inside the eye becomes abnormally high, leading to glaucoma.
- Lymph nodes are enlarged.
- Have symptoms of chronic kidney disease
- Over the long term, bacterial and fungal infections of the skin, eyes, bladder, and upper respiratory tract may occur.
Symptoms of feline AIDS often depend on the age and immunity of each individual cat. Some cats may not show any symptoms for years, leading owners to believe their cats are healthy and not sick. Others show only minor symptoms. However, when this disease destroys a cat's immune system and lowers it, it makes it easier for the cat to contract other infections from the environment, leading to various diseases that can eventually lead to the cat's health deteriorating and eventually death. Therefore, as a preventative measure, owners should take their sick cats to a veterinarian for a preliminary physical examination, a history of symptoms, and blood and urine tests to determine if their cats are likely to have feline AIDS.
Treatment guidelines
There is no specific treatment for feline AIDS as it is an incurable disease. Veterinary treatment therefore focuses on symptomatic treatment and appropriate management to slow the disease's severity, reduce stress, and reduce the risk of secondary infections in cats.
However, although feline AIDS cannot be completely cured 100%, infected cats can live happily for many years with proper care and management, namely:
- Raise your cat in a stress-free environment.
- Spaying and keeping them indoors (in a closed system) prevents the spread of viruses to cats outside the home, as well as preventing infection from other cats.
- Feed a high-quality diet, as sick cats need adequate and appropriate nutrition. There are many types of ready-made food available for sick cats, and owners can choose the one that's right for their cat. Avoid undercooked or unpasteurized food to reduce the chances of bacterial and parasitic infections in food.
- You should see a veterinarian every 6 months for a basic health check and to check the health of your gums, mouth, eyes, skin, and lymph nodes, as well as have blood and urine tests annually.
Protection
Cats can be prevented from being at risk of feline AIDS by ensuring they are healthy and have a strong immune system and taking them for regular checkups. Since feline AIDS is a disease that can only be transmitted between cats, owners can follow these recommendations:
- Cats should be kept indoors or contact with infected cats should be avoided.
- If there are both infected and non-infected cats in the home, they should be kept separate.
- Your cat should be taken to the veterinarian regularly to be tested for FIV.
- If a new cat is brought into an environment where an infected cat has previously lived, it should be cleaned and disinfected with an effective cleaner. The food and water bowls, bedding, and toys should be changed before the cat is brought in, and vaccinations should be completed.
- The feline immunodeficiency vaccine can prevent infection, but it is not a core vaccine for cats and is not a primary vaccine, so the best prevention is to avoid exposure to the virus.
References
AlySemigran. (2017). Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in Cats. Retrieved Aug 1, 2017, from http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_immunodeficiency_virus_infection
Bolttech. What is feline AIDS? What causes it? https://bit.ly/3A2Q8OI
Chula Radio Plus. Feline AIDS is not contagious to humans, but it cannot be cured. https://curadio.chula.ac.th/Program-Detail.php?id=9130
English