FIV-positive cats are normal in animal shelters and rescues, so odds are you’ve seen one. Cats contaminated with FIV are usually kept separate from the rest of the household. They must be put in houses with other FIV-positive cats or families without other pets. To put it simply, what does the acronym FIV represent? When a cat is FIV-positive, what does it indicate for the feline?
Understanding the Truth About Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a virus that is distinct from the cat family. Because it hinders the immune system and there is no treatment, similar to HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS in people). FIV was first discovered in cats in the 1980s, and it has since spread across the globe. Regardless of its prevalence in humans, the illness rarely influences cats. Only a small percentage of infected cats (between one and five percent) might show signs and symptoms.
However, like with HIV, being diagnosed with FIV is not a “death sentence,” as some have said. However, if it stays untreated or undiscovered, it can adversely influence your cat’s health and quality of life. Whether you have a cat that has been detected with FIV or are considering adopting an FIV-positive cat, here are some points to remember.
There is no FIV vaccine available right now.
In the past, a vaccination was available to shield against some strains of FIV, but it was inefficient in areas where unsafe virus variants were more typical. FIV vaccine leads cats to get FIV antibodies, which is a good thing; nevertheless, these antibodies would lead to false-positive testing for FIV, which is dreadful.
Several unwarranted euthanasias were the result of this. Ensure your cat is vaccinated against other infections and conditions as a final preventative measure. If you want to learn more about pet vaccinations, visit this vaccinations page.
FIV is more commonly found in outdoor cats.
Male cats, in particular, can be pretty hostile when squabbling over territory in the wild. Consider neutering your male cat if they want to go outside: This decreases the chance of a fight. In addition to lowering animal shelter overcrowding, neutering and spaying cats have countless other benefits. If you want to have your cat neutered or spayed, you can visit a vet from an animal hospital like Providence Animal Hospital Charlotte to have the process done.
FIV is an infection that lasts a lifetime.
FIV is currently incurable. As long as the cat has been impacted, they will remain diseased for the rest of their lives. However, it is unidentified if all cats infected with the virus would grow ill. It may take weeks, months, or even years for a cat to begin showing symptoms of FIV infection. FIV-positive cats must be kept inside your home as much as possible to prevent the spread of the virus and associated diseases.
Feeding them a specific diet plan to avoid the threat of foodborne bacterial or parasitic infections, and having frequent wellness checks, twice a year with a veterinarian to analyze their overall health and spot issues early. If you are looking for a vet to help keep your pet in healthy condition, you can search for a “veterinary internal medicine specialist near me” to find one in your area.
Bottom Line
Cat proprietors should keep their pets inside and away from other cats to prevent the spread of FIV. Breeding cats must be checked yearly before introducing new cats to an FIV-free colony. All FIV-positive cats must be removed from the area and checked once again in three to six months to see if the infection has spread to the other cats.
