AIDS in Cats
While cats can't have AIDS or HIV infection, cats can suffer from Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or FIV. These viruses are in the same family, called lentivirus, and cause the same types of symptoms, but are species specific, meaning a human can't get FIV and a cat can't get HIV. Because there is no cure, prevention is the key to protecting your cat.
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Infection Rates
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As much as 3 percent of healthy cats in the United States may have FIV. About 15 percent of sick cats are infected with FIV. Males that are allowed to roam free have the greatest likelihood of being infected.
Transmission
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FIV is most commonly transmitted from one cat to another through biting. Rarely, a kitten may get FIV from its mother. Non-aggressive behavior, such as sharing food bowls, does not spread FIV.
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Symptoms
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An FIV infected cat may have a fever and poor appetite, but not all cats have symptoms. Weight loss is common. Common infections (such as urinary tract infections), cancer and blood diseases are all more common in an FIV infected cat.
Prevention
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There is a vaccine available for FIV, but it is not 100 percent effective. The best prevention is to keep your cat from being exposed to unknown cats, especially those who may be sick.
Prognosis
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It is impossible to say how long a cat with FIV will live. Some cats never become sick so it isn't necessary to euthanize an FIV-positive cat, but FIV-positive cats should be separated from FIV-negative cats. FIV does not stay in an environment for more than a few hours, so bringing another cat into your home after losing an FIV-positive cat is safe.
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