should you vaccinate fiv positive cats

That's right: There is a vaccine for . Like HIV in humans, cats with FIV are vulnerable to infections, and normally harmless bugs can cause . No, you can't get HIV from an FIV-positive cat. Because there is no approved treatment for heartworm infection in cats, prevention is critical. FIV vaccines also cause a vaccinated cat to produce antibodies against the FIV virus that can be difficult to distinguish from those produced by a cat in response to natural infection with FIV. FIV-positive cats should be kept indoors and free from stress. A FIV-positive cat can live with a FIV-negative cat as long as neither cat is a fighter, or the FIV-positive cat has no teeth. FIV positive cats should be kept indoors both to limit their exposure to infections and to prevent spread of the infection to other cats. However, they should be kept indoors only to reduce the risk of infecting other cats and to reduce the risk of them contracting additional illnesses." Kelsey Dawley If your kitten or cat has an unknown vaccine history or was previously a stray, your veterinarian will likely recommend testing for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline . It should be noted that giving the FIV vaccine will cause a cat to test positive on both of the above tests. FIV is closely related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus, however you can't catch it from your cat and vice versa. Again, many FIV-positive cats live happy and otherwise normal lives, especially with proper love and care from their humans. It can be used to distinguish an FIV-infected cat from an FIV-vaccinated cat. Take them for their annual or semi-annual veterinary check-ups, and they can live a normal, healthy, and full life. Because FIV is a contagious disease, it is recommended to keep positive cats separate from negative cats. However, new research has shown that FIV-positive cats are in fact very adoptable, and can live the same lifespan as an FIV-negative cat. Vaccine selection and immunization intervals for healthy cats with FIV infection should be based on individual risk assessments using the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) vaccination guidelines developed for cats in general. Depending on where one lives, the rate of FIV-positive cats ranges from four to 24 percent. Also, if a cat/kitten tests positive, the cat/kitten may be able to clear the virus. Although many cats are vaccinated yearly with a commercial FIV vaccine containing FIV subtypes A and D, the effectiveness of this v … A vaccine for feline immunodeficiency virus is available, but not all vaccinated cats will be protected, so preventing exposure is important, even for vaccinated pets. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia (FeLV) are among the most common infectious diseases in cats. So, keeping your cats indoors should prevent exposure. Like dogs, cats can be infected with heartworms. Care and Feeding of FIV-Positive Cats. Cats with FIV will need to live in an environment that is relatively stress-free. What if my cat tests positive for heartworms? All cats/kittens should be tested twice, approximately 3-6 months apart, regardless of the first test result. We can also vaccinate cats to prevent infection, and it is highly recommended if . Routine vaccinations should be kept up to date, although you should discuss with your vet whether it might be better to use a special "killed" vaccine. Depending on where one lives, the rate of FIV-positive cats ranges from 4 to 24 percent. Cats should be tested before being put on prevention and re-tested as the veterinarian deems appropriate to document continued exposure and risk. Historically, FIV- positive cats have often been considered un-adoptable, and are euthanized in many shelters. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia (FeLV) are among the most common infectious diseases in cats. Do you plan on a one-kitty household or have an already FIV positive set of feline paws? Cats who have been vaccinated will test positive for FIV antibodies, so it is essential to know the vaccination history if possible. Additionally, in countries where the FIV vaccine is available (see below), cats that have been vaccinated will also test positive on the routine antibody tests, so alternatives (such as a PCR test) are needed. PCR testing is generally not used for screening but is able to detect viral DNA. Mating can also transmit the virus. The initial vaccine course is often started at 8-9 weeks of age, with a second injection 3-4 weeks later. One question, though…should an FIV positive cat be given any vaccinations, considering the nature of his condition is a compromised immune system? It can be used to distinguish an FIV infected cat from an FIV vaccinated cat. FIV is relatively uncommon, but it can have serious impacts on a cat's health and well-being. Westman, M.E., et al. Feline immunodeficiency virus cannot infect humans, only feline to feline. Experts differ a bit on how frequently this vaccine should be boosted. To be sure, FIV-positive cats should be given some extra care, but this is no harder than what you'd normally expect to do for them. Cats who are FeLV-positive should not share living space with cats who haven't been vaccinated for FeLV. FIV. These diseases are rare. If at all possible, any new cat that is brought into the household should be tested for FeLV/FIV prior to meeting the household cats. Once vaccinated for FIV, future tests will be positive because of the vaccine. When healthy looking cats were tested, the prevalence dropped into the 1.5 percent range. Learn more about Princess Kitty (FIV-positive gray tabby, age 12) today. (FIV-positive cats commonly have severe dental . FIV-positive cats should only be homed to households with no other cats, or with only other FIV-positive cats. Today, the American Association of Feline Practitioners released its new Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management Guidelines, launching a new tide of optimism and positive outcomes for shelter cats diagnosed with either of these retroviruses. Management options FeLV-positive cats are not mixed with FeLV-negative cats - vaccinated or not. It is no longer being made or distributed in North America. The FIV vaccine was an inactivated, adjuvented dual subtype vaccine that was released in July 2002. These viruses are in the same viral family and work the same way, but they're specific to each species. Treatment and Protection "FIV positive cats can live symptom-free for several years after diagnosis, but unfortunately may have a shortened life expectancy once they start to suffer from recurrent illnesses. "If you are vaccinated, your family is vaccinated, you have friends who are vaccinated and hopefully also boosted, you can still enjoy a social gathering, generally in a home," Fauci . For cats, there's a vaccine against FIV. While some vets advise against keeping FIV positive cats in a home with FIV negative cats, the risk of transmission is minimal if the cats DO NOT fight viciously. If a cat has been vaccinated against FIV at any time in his life, the "snap test" performed at vets' offices and shelters will come back positive. 2004). The Truth About Feline AIDS. That said, cats ideally should be blood tested for FeLV prior so we know if your cat was exposed. There is a vaccine for FIV called Fel-O-Vax FIV®, which is offered by most veterinarians. Rather, the new owner and their veterinarian should decide whether the vaccine is appropriate for the individual circumstances of the cat. Should I vaccinate my cat against FIV? Afterward, any adult cat that may be exposed to outdoor cats or FeLV-infected cats should continue to receive this vaccine. Testing considerations. - If you already have cats at home you should have them tested and vaccinated before introducing the FIV-positive cat - Keeping up to date with all your preventative health measures is essential. If you test 1000 cats you will see that 17 out of the 47 cats that test positive do not actually have FeLV. The FIV vaccine has been withdrawn from the U.S./Canadian market . Whilst FIV is not a very infectious disease, it must be realised that it can spread to other cats. An FIV-positive cat may not even have the virus. FeLV-positive cats should be an only cat or should live only with other cats that also have FeLV. FIV gradually destroys the immune system so the cat becomes unable to respond properly to other infections. Since it is uncommon for kittens to acquire infection from the queen, most kittens that test positive are not truly infected and will test negative when re-evaluated at 6 months of age or older. 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