Feline AIDS Symptoms & Treatment: Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the Spread of Feline AIDS
The primary mode of transmission for Feline AIDS, also known as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), is through saliva. This includes instances where cats engage in fights resulting in deep bite wounds, and when an infected mother cat licks her kittens. These are all forms of saliva transmission.
Cats engaging in sexual contact are not the main route of FIV transmission, nor is it spread through social interactions among cats. This means that although cats sharing food and water bowls, grooming each other, and other social behaviors can increase the likelihood of FIV transmission, the risk is still relatively low.
Symptoms of Feline AIDS
In the early stages of FIV infection, the virus replicates in T lymphocytes within nearby lymph nodes and then spreads to other lymph nodes throughout the body. As a result, the health of the infected cat gradually deteriorates. Common clinical symptoms associated with Feline AIDS include chronic upper respiratory diseases, weight loss, fever, oral inflammation, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, diarrhea, and chronic dermatitis.
Diagnosis of Feline AIDS
Most clinical tests for Feline AIDS are rapid screening kits for both FIV and leukemia.
After a cat is infected with FIV, only a small percentage of cats will show obvious symptoms. Most cats will not test positive until 60 days after infection, and in rare cases, it may take up to six months to detect the infection.
Prevention of Feline AIDS
There is considerable controversy surrounding the FIV vaccine in China, as postregistration testing often reveals FIVpositive results, complicating diagnosis. Therefore, the most effective prevention methods involve careful management of cat populations:
Limit the number of cats to reduce the likelihood of fights.
Isolate cats immediately if either a new member or an existing cat is infected with FIV.
Consider spaying or neutering to avoid territorial fights.
Regularly check the health status of your cats.
Even with a positive FIV test, it doesn't necessarily mean there's no hope. By providing highprotein diets and managing secondary diseases, cats can still live a normal lifespan.
