Blog News

May 28, 2014

Feline FIV and AIDS

Australia has one of the highest prevalences of FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) in the world BUT testing positive for FIV is not the same as having the disease feline AIDS. Feline AIDS describes the terminal stages of disease which may not occur for many years – or at all! A positive FIV test means that your cat has been infected by the virus. Are my family at risk?No. Although FIV belongs to the same family of viruses as HIV in people, it only infects cats. There is no risk of cross infection of either virus between species. Are other cats in the household likely to be infected? The virus is shed in the saliva of infected cats and spread by biting. Cats with a history of cat bite abscesses are more likely to test positive for FIV. Spread between cats in a household is unlikely unless they fight. Normal social interactions such as grooming rarely transmit FIV. The best way to minimise the chances of FIV infection is to confine uninfected cats indoors away from aggressive cats. How is FIV diagnosed? FIV is diagnosed with a blood test at the surgery which detects an immune response (antibodies) to the virus. If this test is positive your cat is infected. Kittens with immunity passed on from their mother may test positive until 4 months of age. If a young kitten tests positive we retest them at six months of age. Will my cat recover? Once a cat is infected with the virus it remains infected for the rest of its life but not all infected cats become ill. What diseases does FIV cause? Like HIV, FIV suppresses the body’s defences so that the cat is vulnerable to diseases it would normally defeat. The cat is vulnerable to chronic or recurrent infections that fail to respond to regular treatment. These include: Inflammation of the mouth and tongue leading to appetite loss, drooling and mouth pain Weight loss Poor appetite Fever Signs of brain dysfunction such as aggression, unequal pupils, convulsions and behavioural changes Swollen lymph glands Unusual infections like toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, chronic flu, pneumonia, skin disease Tumours especially those of the lymph system The non specific signs of weight loss, poor appetite and fever occur in many diseases of cats and are usually unrelated to FIV. Cats with FIV are more likely to suffer from these signs and diseases more often and be less able to throw them off even with treatment. FIV positive cats have a shorter life expectancy on average than FIV negative cats. Is there any treatment? Secondary infections with bacteria or fungi are treated with antibiotics and anti-fungals but no specific treatment for the virus is available. Trials with anti-HIV drugs such as AZT have reduced mouth inflammation in affected cats but the cost and availability of AZT makes its use in general practice difficult at present. Anti-inflammatory treatment reduces mouth inflammation and peps up the appetite in many cats. Should I have my cat euthanased? Certainly not on the basis of a positive FIV test! Like humans with HIV, cats with FIV appear healthy and happy for a long time before getting sick. On the other hand if your cat has succumbed to multiple infections, is no longer responsive to treatment or is suffering from a chronically painful mouth then euthanasia is the kindest solution. How can I help my cat? Confinement indoors of an FIV positive cat reduces the risk of infection with other agents. It also reduces the risk of transmission of the virus to other cats. A good quality, highly palatable diet as well as worming every 3 months and at least annual health checks will enhance the disease free period. Infections especially abscesses require prompt and aggressive treatment. How do we prevent FIV infection? Desexing and confinement indoors, especially at night, reduces fighting and therefore the risk of infection. We recommend vaccination with FIV vaccine for all cats with access to the outdoors. Cats older than 6 months of age are tested for FIV before the first vaccination. A series of three primary vaccinations is given 2-4 weeks apart and then a booster is given annually.
May 27, 2014

Open Night Invitation

May 26, 2014

Desexing

Desexing, or speying, a female cat is major abdominal surgery. The ovaries and uterus are removed under a general anaesthetic. At Canberra Cat Vet we take great care to ensure that your cat is as comfortable and safe as possible before, during and after the surgery. Included in the fee for a spey is an admission examination and discussion of her general health. Pain prevention is given before, during and after surgery. We also send her home with pain relief for you to mix in her food over the following few days. Before her anaesthetic we give her a sedative and handle her as quietly and gently as possible to reassure her. Intravenous fluids are essential to protect cats' fragile kidneys and to ensure a smooth and rapid recovery. She has a fully qualified nurse monitor her with special cat-sized monitors while under the anaesthetic. The operation is performed in a special operating theatre under aseptic conditions using sterilised equipment and individually wrapped suture materials and scalpel blades. A nurse stays with your cat until she is fully awake and sitting up. We then offer her a meal and lots of cuddles. When you come to pick her up in the afternoon we give you postoperative instructions and answer any questions you might have. Please phone us if you are unsure about any aspect of the home care or instructions. We book a post-operative check with your vet about 3 days later.