Cat’s Corner - Cat AIDs

Does your feline friend like to go out and about?

Does your feline friend like to go out and about? Whether it’s just relaxing under a tree in the back yard, or whether they like to go visit the neighbours, getting out can be a lot of fun for your cat. However it’s not without risks. One of these risks are other less than friendly cats – neighbour’s cats or stray cats that may just be passing through. If your furry friend encounters one of these cats and gets bitten or scratched by them, then they are at risk of catching Cat AIDs.

This disease, similar to human AIDs, causes suppression of your cat’s immune system. Once their immune system is suppressed enough, they start to get sick very easily from diseases that they would normally be able to fight off. It can even kill them. And just one bite can be enough to cause infection.

Can you tell if your cat has AIDs? In the early stages, no. The only way to tell is by performing a blood test to look for the disease. It’s not until the end stages of the disease, when they start to get very sick because they have no immune system left, that they start to show signs. The symptoms they show at this stage will vary depending on what the secondary infection is, but may include weight loss, lack of appetite, and lethargy.

Cat AIDs (also known as feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV) does not have a cure. Treatment available for infected cats is limited, aiming to help their immune system fight off infection and being very thorough with preventative care, such as vaccinations and flea and worming treatment.

It’s not worth the risk – if your cat EVER goes outside, get them vaccinated for Cat AIDs. Or if you’re worried they may have already caught the disease, come talk to us about getting them tested. Let’s keep your fur baby happy and healthy while they enjoy their outdoor adventures!