My moms cat was just diagnosed with feline aids, she already decided that she's not going to put him to sleep. Were trying to find out information about it, such as how is it spread? And the vet mentioned putting him on some vitamins to boost his ammune system, does any one have any ideas what these vitamins are called? The vet seemed to not know. Here's some info! Good Luck!
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is part of the same family of viruses (lentiviruses) as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Essentially, FIV affects a cat's T cells, the white blood cells that are essential in staving off infections. As in the human variety, FIV attacks the cat's immune system, weakening it and leaving the cat prone to a variety of illnesses and infections. First identified in 1986, FIV is found not only in domestic house cats, but is also found in cats in the wild, including tigers, lions, leopards, bobcats, cheetahs, and pumas.
The FIV virus is most often found in blood, saliva, and other fluids, and the most common means of transmission is through bite wounds. The rate of the disease is higher in male cats, most likely because more males than females are left free to roam and fight with other cats. There are some instances where the disease is transmitted sexually, and the disease can be passed from an infected mother cat to its kittens.
Symptoms
An infected cat can live with FIV for years before displaying any symptoms. The disease progresses through three stages, as follows:
Stage 1 - When a cat is infected with FIV, the virus immediately spreads into the lymph nodes. During this stage, the T cells begin to be compromised, and while a healthy cat is still able to stave off disease, some cats develop a slight fever, diarrhea, or even anemia. These symptoms are not usually chronic and may go completely undetected.
Stage 2 - During this stage, the disease is essentially dormant, and a cat will display no symptoms.
Stage 3 - In humans, this stage is generally recognized as Acquired Immune Deficiency or full-blown AIDS. For cats, stage 3 can be just as devastating. The immune system is no longer able to fend off disease, and the cat is prone to all kinds of infections, including the following:
Skin diseases, including rashes, abscesses, dry skin, hair loss, and matted fur
Infections, including infections of the gums, mouth, and teeth
Gastrointestinal problems, including chronic diarrhea, weight loss
Anemia
Behavioral changes, including dementia
Seizures
Eye problems, including cataracts, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, and inflammation of the cornea
Difficulty breathing
Diagnosis
A veterinarian can diagnose FIV through a blood test that measures the actual antibodies to the disease that are present in the cat's blood. A test is recommended if a cat displays any other symptoms, or when a new cat joins the family. Kittens should also be tested.
Treatment
There is no cure for FIV, and treatment involves managing the diseases that are caused by the infection. An infected cat should be kept indoors, preventing contact with other cats and also keeping it from exposure to disease or other types of injury. There are some vaccines on the market that were developed to help protect an at-risk cat from becoming infected, and some of the same drugs that are used in humans, including AZT and alpha interferon, have been used on cats in studies. Bone marrow transplants can also be effective in raising the level of white blood cells in cats My beloved cat died of feline AIDS in 1993, about a year after he was diagnosed. He was a house cat but occasionally would slip outside when we opened a door and take off before we could catch him. As a result of one of those escapades, he was involved in a fight with another cat and contracted it that way (that is the vet's hypothesis). I couldn't bring myself to have him put to sleep and as a result, he suffered much more than he needed to. He basically became weaker and weaker and then grew incontinent of urine. On his last day of life, he couldn't get up. I took him to the vet and they told me he needed to be let go. They gave him an injection and he died almost instantly. My husband and I cried the rest of the day.
I am now crying while I'm sitting here typing this. It's not something I like to think about, as I try to concentrate on the happy life we gave him instead of his death. Please don't allow him to suffer any more than he has to. When he loses his appetite and his continence, in my opinion, you should let him go. look it up on the internet. The vet ( and regular doctor ) usually prescribes the thing that helps, and costs the most.
If you don't feel like doin that you can also look at this page,
http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-and-an...
Its a long link but from what I read it should help. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?...
I hope these Remedies help you. :-)
http://search.onlynaturalpet.com/search....
How is FIV infection treated?
To provide the best care, your veterinarian needs to know if your cat is FIV-infected.
Although FIV-positive cats can live for many years, your veterinarian needs to know if your cat is FIV-infected to provide the best care, e.g., proper vaccinations and aggressive treatment of infections. Stress and exposure to ill animals should be avoided. FIV-positive cats should be kept indoors both to protect them from exposure to disease and also to prevent them from spreading FIV to other cats.
There are many antiviral medications for people with HIV infection, but currently there are none which are routinely and effectively used in FIV-infected cats. Some drugs that directly affect the immune system have been used with variable but encouraging results. These include Propionibacterium acnes (ImmunoRegulin), low doses of oral human alpha interferon and an aloe derivative called Acemannan.
Cats with FIV-related disease will need to be treated according to the signs of disease they are showing. Infections which occur as a result of the immunodeficiency should be treated aggressively. FIV-infected cats with cancer can receive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy. Supportive care such as fluids, good nutrition, and antibiotics for secondary infections are essential. |
