![]() If an infected cat bites another, the bitten animal may become infected as well. Are Feline Aids Contagious?įeline Aids can be passed from one cat to another. It is transmitted through blood and saliva, meaning a bite is the main way to transmit the virus. What Causes Feline Aids in Catsįeline aids are caused by a slow-moving virus. Nasal infections may make cats sneeze repeatedly, experience a cough, and have nasal discharge. Many times, this includes skin infections that leave the skin dry. Since the immune system becomes compromised, other infections and diseases may develop. Cats with FIV are also more likely to develop blood diseases and cancer, which bring their own set of symptoms. ![]() They may have frequent seizures, and even develop neurological disorders such as trouble with reflexes and delayed reactions. Some cats may experience changes in behavior. Many develop chronic infections, such as with the bladder or respiratory tract. This typically includes a loss of appetite, and therefore weight loss, as well as inflammation of the gums, and gingivitis. This usually occurs early on, but many owners miss the symptoms.Įventually, other symptoms arise. Common symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes and fever. It can take years before this point is reached. When symptoms are present, it is because the immune system has been badly compromised. The immune system eventually gets attacked and becomes compromised, causing failure. It is not often fatal for cats, as they can live for years as carriers and display no symptoms. If these results can be generalized, then they could have major implications for rescues and shelters that have strict policies about housing and adopting out FIV-positive cats: while the researchers noted that they did not detect any instances of horizontal transmission (which is a great sign for cohabitation), “careful management is required when cats are first introduced to one another, as the potential for agonistic interactions that could result in FIV transmission is increased.Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as Feline Aids, most closely resembles HIV contracted by humans. They also found no evidence of vertical FIV transmission at one of the cat shelters. there was no evidence of transmission of infection from FIV-positive to FIV-negative cats. They found that in a mixed household, over a period of months to years - and despite mutual grooming, mild aggression, shared food bowls, litter boxes, bedding etc. In this study, researchers wanted to investigate the “horizontal transmission of naturally-acquired FIV between cats in a mixed, multi-cat household and to investigate viral transmission from naturally-infected FIV-positive queens to their kittens.” They collected information from two cat-only shelters over a long-term period. However, studies of “mixed households” with cohabitating FIV-positive and FIV-negative cats have shown that infection rates are variable and somewhat unpredictable. Researchers know that the main mode of transmission is via bite wounds, as well as vertical or pediatric transmission (meaning in utero, intrapartum, or via milk/colostrum). ![]() However, unlike HIV, the routes of transmission for FIV are still being studied and remain relatively unknown. ![]() Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), in some ways is similar to HIV in humans, is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable or depleted, prone to other diseases or infections. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |