FIV, or feline AIDS, is another name for feline immunodeficiency virus. A infectious virus causes the sickness, which may be spread from one cat to another. Because of the disease's infectious nature, testing for is critical. Cat owners may take efforts to assist these cats live longer, healthier lives by recognizing the indications and determining which cats test positive for FIV.
Should Your Cat Be Tested for FIV?
Almost every cat, especially outdoor cats, should be tested for FIV. Tests on under the age of six months may not be accurate unless they were born to infected moms. Additional recommendations from the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) have been released to help identify which cats should be tested and when.
- If your cat has never been tested, you should have it tested.
- If you bring a new cat home, test your new pet for FIV before entering your household. Retest a new cat in 60 days.
- If your cat is exposed to another cat with FIV, a test should be given 60 days after contact.
- If your cat is sick in general, your veterinarian should test for FIV.
- If you plan on vaccinating your cat for FIV, it should be tested for the virus first.
What's the Test for FIV?
A little sample of your cat's blood is used to test for the feline immunodeficiency virus. The most frequent test used to screen cats for FIV is the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). If this test is positive, a second type of blood test to confirm your cat's illness may be necessary. The Western blot test is the name for this procedure.
What If Your Cat Tests Positive for FIV?
A positive FIV test does not indicate that your cat is infected with the virus. Simply put, it signifies your cat has been infected with the virus. If you take some easy measures, a cat who tests positive for FIV can live a long period. A cat with feline immunodeficiency virus may have a compromised immune system and, as a result, be more vulnerable to other illnesses. Remember that your cat might be a disease carrier and spread the ailment on to other cats. Follow these five ideas to protect your cat from secondary illnesses.
- Keep your cat indoors and have it spayed or neutered.
- Have your cat examined by your veterinarian at least twice a year. Your veterinarian will examine your cat, perform routine blood tests, and keep your cat up to date with its vaccinations. Always immediately seek your veterinarian's help if your cat becomes sick.
- Don't feed your cat raw meat or eggs that may have bacteria.
- Ask your veterinarian how to keep your cat , such as , ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms.
- Some veterinarians recommend keeping your FIV-positive cat segregated from other cats in the household to avoid spreading the virus.
Cats who tested positive for the feline immunodeficiency virus were commonly killed in the past. Their prognosis was thought to be grim, and they posed a major threat to the remainder of the feline population. Thankfully, this is no longer the case, and euthanasia for cats who test positive for FIV is no longer recommended.