Causes & Symptoms of Feline AIDS in Cats

Why Do Cats Get Feline AIDS?

Generally, cats contract Feline AIDS due to frequent contact with other animals or their own kind. This often occurs after fights, where injuries can lead to infections. Clinical studies also suggest that the disease can be transmitted through sexual contact between infected and uninfected cats, or from an infected mother to her kittens via saliva or milk.

What Are the Symptoms of Feline AIDS?

In the early stages of Feline AIDS infection, the virus replicates in T lymphocytes within nearby lymph nodes, then spreads throughout the body. The health of the infected cat gradually deteriorates. Symptoms of Feline AIDS include:

Chronic mouth inflammation and gingivitis, fever, gradual weight loss, lymph node inflammation, anemia, diarrhea, and various neurological symptoms. Cats may also suffer from chronic skin diseases, and those with skin conditions may experience infections such as demodectic mange, scabies, tick fever, and various molds and bacteria.

How to Prevent Feline AIDS?

1. Conduct FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) testing on newly adopted cats before bringing them into your home;

2. Isolate cats infected with FIV, spay or neuter them, and keep them indoors to minimize contact with other pets;

3. Vaccinate your cats starting at eight weeks of age to achieve an immune protection rate of 6080%, reducing the risk of infection;

4. Limit the time your cats spend outdoors, and always keep a close eye on them to prevent fighting among them.

Important Reminder: There is currently no vaccine that can completely prevent the occurrence of Feline AIDS. Therefore, focus on preventing infections between cats. To learn more about the causes of Feline AIDS, click here to read "How is Feline AIDS Caused?".