If you are a cat owner who’s also thinking about the question, “how did my indoor cat get FIV,” then this article will help you clear your thoughts.
FIV, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is considered a lentivirus that somehow relates to a disease called Feline Leukemia Virus. According to vets, when FIV attacks, it will affect the immune system of a cat — no matter if it is an indoor or outdoor cat.
However, there are still ways to consider how cat owners can protect their felines that are diagnosed with this disease. Read here!
Reasons Why An Indoor Cat Gets FIV
You’re mistaken if you think your indoor cat is already safe from having FIV. Asking yourself “how did my indoor cat get FIV” will not work; you have to identify everything about the disease. Cats need to be checked regardless of where they live to guarantee that they do not have any illness or problem with their health.
FIV in cat is a disease that has a contagious nature, making it risky and life-threatening. Believe it or not, the number one reason why indoor cats are not exempted from this disease is because it is genetic. This means that there is a huge possibility that your cat got the virus from its parents, especially when they have exposure to outdoor cats.
Exposure to outdoor cats is quite scary because this can also be a reason for infection. Remember that FIV can also be transmitted to other cats using saliva or cat bites, and this is more applicable to males that are prone to fighting with other cats.
If the parents of an indoor cat are often exposed to catfights, there is a huge possibility that they will be infected. When this happens, they can transmit the disease to their kittens even if they are considered indoor cats.
Signs That An Indoor Cat Has FIV
Since FIV takes years to show the signs and symptoms, owners must be observant of their cats’ condition. It is also essential to get your furry pals a regular checkup to guarantee that they do not have any problems.
Below are some signs that you can look for to avoid asking yourself, “how did my indoor cat get FIV.”
- Unkempt and dirty fur
- Loss of appetite, which leads to cat’s weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Chance of having inflammation in the gums and mouth
- Changes in cat’s behavior
- Possibility of eye inflammation
- Possibility of kidney disease
- Infections in the skin, upper respiratory tract, and bladder
- Cancer if the condition is severe (Lymphoma)
Effective Treatments For Your Indoor Cat
The FIV in cats life expectancy will most likely range to five years, starting from the day they are diagnosed. FIV is not curable, and the only thing a pet owner can do is follow the instructions given by their trusted vet to ease the pain of your indoor cats.
Be mindful of the treatments provided below:
- Always check the diet of your indoor cats and ensure that it is suitable for their health to prevent risks. Consider checking the ingredients before giving the food to your cats, and remember not to provide any raw food since it may contain bacteria and parasites.
- Do not forget to give your indoor cats vitamins and antioxidants.
- Consider giving them medicine that will boost their immune system.
- Always replace electrolytes and fluid.
A cat owner can find out the status of his cat for FIV through blood tests. If your cat is diagnosed with FIV, keep the cat indoors and do not let them out for safety purposes.
It is also your responsibility to observe your cat. Always look if there are sudden changes in your cat’s behavior, appearance, and appetite. If ever there is one, you have to immediately report it to their vet so you will know how to deal with it.
It is also advisable to have appointments for regular checkups so you’ll know more about your cat’s condition. This way, you can also improve and lengthen the cat’s life expectancy.
Conclusion
The question “how did my indoor cat get FIV” is something that might give you a lot of anxiety. Please take note that there is nothing wrong with being observant when it comes to your cat, especially since we do not know what might happen.
If you care about the welfare of other animals, you can consider being a volunteer at Doobert. There are always plenty of animals up for adoption, and this may be your chance to save a precious life. Visit their website today to know more about the process!
