Should FIV positive cats be neutered?
Cats with FIV can live until a ripe old age; many infected senior cats pass as a result of problems not associated with their infection. The AAFP recommends the following for managing the healthy, FIV-positive cat: Careful monitoring of any weight loss. Spaying or neutering intact cats.
Can neutered cats get FIV?
How do FIV cats get infected? The virus passes from cat to cat in saliva, usually through biting in fights. Un-neutered male cats are considerably more at risk of getting FIV because a single bite may be enough to infect a cat. And a cat can be infected by biting an FIV-infected cat.
How long does it take for a cat to test positive for FIV?
An adult cat can test positive as early as two to four weeks after exposure, but Best Friends Society reports that it can take up to eight weeks in some cases. According to the ASPCA, once a cat is determined to be FIV-positive, that cat is capable of transmitting the virus to other cats.
Can A FIV positive Cat Live a healthy life?
The amount of time it takes for the virus to make a cat become immune compromised can vary, but once symptomatic, FIV positive cats are more vulnerable to contracting other diseases. However, with the proper care, FIV positive cats can live healthy, happy lives.
What to do if your cat has FIV?
The best way to prevent your cat from contracting the virus is to keep your cat indoors and never let your cat roam free outside. Indoor cats have the lowest risk of contracting the virus. In addition, if your cat is going to be spending any time around other felines, make sure all cats have tested negative for FIV.
What’s the difference between FIV and feline leukemia?
FIV is often confused with Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV). While Feline Leukemia can also cause immunosuppression, Feline Leukemia also leads to the development of cancers, anemia, kidney disease, with a much worse prognosis than FIV. FIV is only contagious among cats and difficult to transmit.
Should FIV-positive cats be neutered?
Cats with FIV can live until a ripe old age; many infected senior cats pass as a result of problems not associated with their infection. The AAFP recommends the following for managing the healthy, FIV-positive cat: Careful monitoring of any weight loss. Spaying or neutering intact cats.
What does it mean if your cat is FIV positive?
If your cat is FIV positive, it means they have tested positive for the feline immunodeficiency virus. It is one of the many parallels between FIV and HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). both are retroviruses which suppress the immune system. This as lead to many referring to the condition as feline AIDS.
When to re-test a kitten for FIV?
Tests can result in a false negative or positive, which may occur for a variety of reasons. Due to the false results that occur it is important to re-test a kitten within six months after the first test, as it can take up to eight weeks or longer for a cat to develop FIV antibodies.
Is there any way to prevent FIV in cats?
There are some vaccines around, but it is not clear how effective they are. Many veterinarians believe that the side effects of what vaccines exist are worse than FIV. In addition, once a cat has been vaccinated, it will always test positive for FIV even though it does not actually have the virus.
Can You euthanize a cat with a FIV test?
That is why many veterinarians, including the feline medicine experts at the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), suggest shelters and owners never opt for euthanasia based on a positive test alone.
What does it mean when a cat is FIV positive?
Just as HIV affects only people, FIV is contractible by cats alone. Being FIV-positive means that the cat has antibodies that have been exposed to the virus, although it can take years, if ever, before the cat develops any FIV infection and clinical signs referred to as Feline AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome of Cats).
Tests can result in a false negative or positive, which may occur for a variety of reasons. Due to the false results that occur it is important to re-test a kitten within six months after the first test, as it can take up to eight weeks or longer for a cat to develop FIV antibodies.
What kind of medication can I give my Cat for FIV?
Zidovudine (AZT) and other antiviral medications have been used to treat some cats suffering from the effects of FIV infection. These drugs can reduce a cat’s viral load, but the side effects of treatment may outweigh the benefits.
What happens if a cat goes untreated with FIV?
What Can Happen if FIV Goes Untreated? Cats who are infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may not show symptoms until years after the initial infection occurred. Although the virus is slow-acting, a cat’s immune system is severely weakened once the disease takes hold. This makes the cat susceptible to various secondary infections.