FIV attacks a cat's immune system, producing a slow-developing immunodeficiency disease that results in chronic secondary and opportunistic infections. These include respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary tract, and skin infections, and general unthriftiness. Various cancers may also develop. FIV infection is lifelong. However, FIV disease is relatively uncommon and most cats remain normal for extended periods until immunodeficiency occurs.

ACA does not advocate universal testing of feral cats. We base this position on the experiences of large feral cat programs such as Operation Catnip in Florida and North Carolina, which has stopped testing altogether. Results at their clinics indicate: The percentage of feral cats infected with either FeLV or FIV is very low: three to seven percent are infected with FeLV; about two to five percent with FIV. These percentages are about the same as indoor cats.

No. This virus can't be passed from cat to human. It is transmitted between cats via bodily fluids, most commonly by saliva through cat bites and in some cases from mother to kittens. Affected cats have an ineffective immune system and are vulnerable to subsequent infections (eg chest infections). However, some cats infected with the virus may live a a full healthy life. Cats with FIV shoud be kept indoors to reduce the spread of the disease to other cats.

The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are two viral infections that are transmissible from cat to cat. Both diseases are eventually fatal. Although you cat may appear to be healthy, some cats can live upwards of 7 years with out showing any symptoms. It is possible for your cat, if infected, to spread the disease without showing symptoms. To run the test we simply need a few drops of blood and 10 minutes.

We currently recommend testing all kittens and cats for FeLV/FIV. This is usually done at their first visit, and the test is performed in our office with a small sample of your cats blood. We can have the results in approximatey 10 minutes.

Feline AIDS is caused by infection with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). FIV causes a potentially fatal viral disease that interferes with the immune system of a cat. The virus lives in the blood of the infected cat and is carried in its system throughout its life. Cats infected with FIV may remain healthy for up to 10 years. While some infected cats show no signs of disease, others may display initial symptoms, such as..

Feline Leukemia Virus is a virus that is specific to cats only. It is considered to be the most common cause of serious illness and death in domestic cats. It causes a breakdown in your cat's immune system causing your cat to become susceptible to many diseases which it might otherwise be able to fight off. It CANNOT be transmitted to humans (including children) nor can it be transmitted to other species such as dogs.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS; HIV weakens several body systems and destroys the body's immune system, making it easier for life threatening cancers or opportunistic infections to invade the body.

AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: AIDS is the late stage of an infection caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV. AIDS is a complex disease characterized by severe damage to the body's natural immune system. A person with AIDS becomes susceptible to unusual opportunistic diseases and cancers that are not ordinarily a threat to people with normal immune systems.

The H5N1 virus currently infecting birds in Asia that has caused human illness and death is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamavir and zanamavir, would probably work to treat flu caused by the H5N1 virus, but additional studies still need to be done to prove their effectiveness.

Two products are used to prevent hepatitis A virus infection: immune globulin and hepatitis A vaccine. Immune globulin is a preparation of antibodies that can be given before exposure for short-term protection against hepatitis A and for persons who have already been exposed to hepatitis A virus. Immune globulin must be given within 2 weeks after exposure to hepatitis A virus for maximum protection.

Initial infection of the oral herpes simplex virus may cause no symptoms or may cause severe flu-like symptoms with mouth ulcers. In recurring infections, sores tend to erupt in the same area (some patients never have any more symptoms beyond the initial infection). The following are the most common symptoms of an oral herpes simplex virus infection. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

B. bronchiseptica infection is best diagnosed from oro-pharyngeal swabs, or from swabs of nasal discharge of affected animals. Samples should be taken using sterile cotton wool swabs placed into charcoal transport medium before plating on to a selective medium such as Bordet-Gengou. However, chronic carrier cats often shed relatively few organisms and may require repeated oropharyngeal culturing.

Vaccination with the full, two-dose series of hepatitis A vaccine is the best way to prevent hepatitis A virus infection. Hepatitis A vaccine has been licensed in the United States for use in persons 12 months of age and older. The vaccine is recommended for persons who are more likely to get hepatitis A virus infection or are more likely to get seriously ill if they do get hepatitis A (see Who should be vaccinated routinely against hepatitis A?).

West Nile virus infection is caused by West Nile virus (WNV), a flavivirus previously found only in Africa, Eastern Europe, Australia, and West Asia. WNV is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), which is found in the United States, and to Kunjin virus (KV), which is found in Australia, some Western Pacific islands and parts of Southeast Asia.

Feline herpes virus is an upper respiratory virus of cats. It is also known as rhinotracheitis virus. It is very common among cats, especially in environments where there are multiple cats or new cats are constantly interacting. The virus is spread through the air and replicates in the upper respiratory tract (nasal area, tonsils). The conjunctiva of the eye is also affected during the primary infection. Clinical signs of infection include sneezing and ocular and nasal discharge.

Most cats are affected as kittens, contracting the infection from their mothers. Stray cats, multi-cat households, and cats from households where new cats are constantly introduced are more likely to suffer infection. Feline herpes virus is not contagious to dogs or to humans but only affects cats.

History and clinical signs can diagnose ocular diseases caused by feline herpes virus. Aside from history and clinical signs, diagnostic tests for feline herpes virus include virus isolation, immunofluorescent antibody testing, polymerase chain reaction testing, serology, and cytology. Testing can be expensive and is generally reserved for specific cases. Tests that may not specifically detect the presence of herpes may be used to detect ocular disease caused by herpes.

Treatment for feline herpes virus infections is nonspecific and generally directed at controlling secondary bacterial infection. A topical antibiotic such as tetracycline or erythromycin may be prescribed for use in the eye. Systemic antibiotics may also be prescribed. Viralys Powder contains: 250 mg. L-Lysine per 1 rounded scoop. Scoop provided in container. Approximately 310 doses per container.

Feline rhinotracheitis virus is an acute respiratory illness. Symptoms are sneezing, nasal discharge and inflammation of the nose. It is spread by contact with the discharge from the infected cats eyes and nose. It is treatable with antibiotics and preventable with vaccinations. Although, once a cat gets it, it is usually a carrier for life, even though it shows no symptoms.

Feline Leukemia Virus is a virus that is specific to cats only. It is considered to be the most common cause of serious illness and death in domestic cats. It causes a breakdown in your cat's immune system causing your cat to become susceptible to many diseases which it might otherwise be able to fight off. It CANNOT be transmitted to humans (including children) nor can it be transmitted to other species such as dogs.

The disease is characterized by chronicle infections, skin rash, diarrhea, otitis, emaciation and anemia. Normally cats have resistance against these type of infections, but FiV weakens the immunity. Cats can contaminate each other trough sexual contact, fighting (scratch and bite wounds), saliva, blood, during birth and trough mothers milk. It can not be passed on from cats to humans. There is no medication and treatment is mostly focused on fighting the symptoms.

Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not have any type of illness. It is estimated that 20% of the people who become infected will develop West Nile fever: mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.

Most people infected with West Nile Virus do not become ill. People with a mild infection may present with fever, headache, eye pain, muscle aches, joint pain, a rash on the trunk, and/or swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases (less than 1% of those infected), symptoms include extreme muscle weakness, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), paralysis, and coma. In rare cases the infection may be fatal, particularly in the elderly and people with other medical conditions.

There is no specific treatment for West Nile Virus infection; however a physician may prescribe medications to relieve the symptoms of the illness. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.

Preventing mosquito bites will prevent West Nile Virus infection. Personal protective measures such as limiting the time spent outdoors at dawn and dusk or other times mosquitoes are active; wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors; using insect repellents (containing DEET) when outdoors; and putting screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquito entry which can serve to reduce or prevent mosquito bites. Reducing mosquito populations will also reduce mosquito bites.

Hepatitis A rates in the United States have declined by 89% since hepatitis A vaccine first became available in 1995. In 2006, 3,579 acute symptomatic cases of hepatitis A were reported; the incidence was 1.2/100,000, the lowest rate ever recorded. After adjusting for asymptomatic infection and underreporting, the estimated number of new infections was 32,000.