Feline FIV
Feline FIV, or feline immunodeficiency virus, is a lentivirus, which is a unique form of retrovirus. The lentivirus spreads very slowly and those cats which are infected with FIV may remain healthy for years. Eventually, though, the immune system begins to fail. Infected cats become ill from bacteria, viruses, and other illnesses that most healthy cats are able to fight off.
FIV is primarily spread through cat bites, which is why male cats are more likely to be infected than female cats. FIV is not spread through casual, social contact among cats. It may, however, be passed from a mother cat to her kittens, either during birth or through nursing.
Feline FIV Symptoms
Once introduced, the infection is passed through your cat’s lymph system. This causes swelling of the lymph nodes. Cats may also run a fever at this time. However, the swollen lymph nodes are temporary and often pass unnoticed. From there, it begins to affect the immune system, specifically white blood cells. Cats may then appear healthy for a long time before their immune systems begin to decline.
Once the disease begins to affect the immune system, feline FIV symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Inflammation of the mouth and gums
- Diarrhea
- Urinary tract infections
- Poor coat condition
- Skin infections
- Respiratory infections
- Persistent fever
Feline FIV Diagnosis
Feline FIV is diagnosed with a blood test. Infected cats make antibodies to the virus, and these can be detected in the blood.
Feline FIV Treatment
There is no cure for FIV cats. Instead, when your cat becomes ill with a secondary infection, it will be treated as appropriate, for instance with antibiotics. National Pet Pharmacy has a full selection of secondary support cures, including pet antibiotics, like
Clavamox. Proper nutrition is also crucial for FIV infected pet health. National Pet Pharmacy has a complete selection of nutrient dense foods like
Nature's Logic Natural Chicken Dinner Fare Feline Formula,
Nature’s Variety Instinct Grain Free Chicken Dry Cat Food, and
Nature’s Variety Prairie Brand Feline Salmon Meal & Brown Rice.
About National Pet Pharmacy
From whiskers to tail, your cat deserves the best in pet medicine and pet supplies. National Pet Pharmacy has quality pet medications like Revolution and Frontline as well as veterinarian diet cat food and cat supplies. Find total health for your cat at National Pet Pharmacy.
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