As FIV can’t be transmitted to humans or other non-feline animals,
an FIV positive cat is able to share his or her environment with a dog or other pet, as long as there are no other cats
.
Can FeLV be transmitted to dogs?
The virus only affects cats and
cannot be transmitted to humans, dogs, or any other animal
. Through immunosuppression, FeLV impairs the affected cat’s immune system and is capable of causing a variety of diseases such as liver disease and intestinal disease as well as certain types of cancer.
Do cats with FIV sleep more?
FIV-infected cats spent 50% more time awake than the sham-inoculated controls and
exhibited many more sleep/waking stage shifts
–i.e., 40% more than controls. In addition, FIV-infected cats showed approximately 30% of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep reduction compared to controls.
Can FIV cats be around other cats?
(
FIV-positive cats can live with other cats who don’t have FIV as long as they get along and don’t fight, causing bite wounds
.) But for community cats, there is no need to test them for FIV and FeLV. The American Association of Feline Practitioners also doesn’t recommend testing community cats for these viruses.
How long do cats with FIV live?
Cats infected with FIV may live for
months or years
. On average, life expectancy is 5 years from the time of diagnosis depending on how active the infection is. There is a FIV vaccination given twice initially, then yearly thereafter for outside cats or cats exposed to outside cats due to the potential of cat bites.
Can cats spread FIV?
A cat can’t transmit the FIV virus to a human
. They can only pass FIV on to another cat. You can help prevent your cat from contracting the virus by: Keep them indoors to avoid potential contact with infected cats.
What are symptoms of FIV in cats?
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Fever.
- Anemia.
- Weight loss.
- Disheveled coat.
- Poor appetite.
- Diarrhea.
- Abnormal appearance or inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis)
Do FIV cats need medication?
Due to the lack of proven effectiveness, and their toxicity,
antiviral drugs are indicated only in exceptional cases of FIV infection
. FIV-infected cats need special care and management, as described above. If they receive this management and care, they can live for many years in good health.
Is FIV a big deal?
First,
FIV is no big deal
, it’s simply a virus. Most FIV cats live long, healthy, happy lives when given loving homes. FIV cats will live as long as other cats and die of the same old-age diseases. It is primarily spread by deep, penetrating bite wounds, not though play bites or saliva.
Are FIV cats expensive?
Treatment for the feline immunodeficiency virus is quite expensive. According to estimates, the cost range from
$150 to $2,000 per treatment
.
Can you mix FIV and non FIV cats?
Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine conducted a long-term study in cat shelters and drew two conclusions:
FIV-positive cats can live with FIV-negative cats
and not infect the FIV-negative cats during normal day-to-day interaction; and mother cats infected with FIV don’t pass the virus on to their kittens …
Is FIV a death sentence?
Although it can be fatal if left untreated, a positive test for FIV is not a mandatory death sentence for your pet
. With a high-protein diet and aggressive treatment of secondary infections, an FIV-positive cat can lead a reasonably normal life for a number of years after diagnosis.
Can FIV cats be with non FIV cats?
As
FIV can’t be transmitted to humans or other non-feline animals
, an FIV positive cat is able to share his or her environment with a dog or other pet, as long as there are no other cats.
How common is FIV in stray cats?
Most feral cats enjoy excellent health and are no more likely to be infected with disease than house cats. In fact, house cats and feral cats contract FeLV and FIV at an equally low rate (
about 4%)
.
Why can’t FIV cats go outside?
There are two main reasons put forward for the policy: that
outside, an FIV cat would pick up infections from neighbouring cats; and that the FIV cat could spread the virus to the neighbouring cats
.
Should you euthanize a cat with FIV?
Cats infected with FIV
should never be euthanized, unless they are actually experiencing a severe, debilitating illness that cannot be treated
(as we would with any other cat).
How do you prevent FIV in cats?
- Have your cat spayed or neutered (to prevent spread of FIV).
- Keep your cat indoors.
- Test any new cats for FIV before you bring them into your household and allow them to interact with the cats already there.
How does a cat get FIV?
The primary mode of transmission for FIV is through
bite wounds from an infected cat
. Casual, non-aggressive contact, such as sharing water bowls or mutual grooming, does not appear to be an efficient route of spreading the virus.
Why is my cat sneezing so much?
Sneezing is a common symptom of
upper respiratory infections (URIs) in cats
. Often referred to as the “common cold” or the “cat flu”, upper respiratory infections can be viral, bacterial and even fungal, although that’s less common.
Can I take my FIV cat on walks?
However, they are carriers of the virus and so could potentially infect other cats. The best situation for an FIV cat is to come into a stable home, with no other cats, where it lives mainly or completely indoors, but
maybe has access to an outside exercise pen, or walks outside on a harness and lead
.
What are the stages of FIV?
Cats infected with FIV often experience three stages of infection:
acute, subclinical and chronic
. In the early or acute stage, lasting 3 to 6 months, the virus is carried by the lymphatic pathways, where it spreads to other lymph nodes throughout the body, resulting in the enlargement of the lymph nodes.
