Can cat AIDS be transmitted to cats? How can cats tell if they have cat AIDS?

Feline AIDS is an infectious disease that is transmitted between cats. It is very similar to human AIDS, but there are still some differences. It is not transmitted to humans. However, it can be transmitted between cats, but it is mostly easy to get free-range cats or stray cats. The incubation period of feline AIDS is not obvious, so the owner needs to observe the cat more often. So how can you tell?

Can feline AIDS be transmitted to cats?

Feline AIDS can be transmitted between cats but not to humans.

Cat AIDS is contagious and is usually transmitted through bites. Therefore, cats can easily spread this disease through fighting and biting each other. It can also be transmitted between cats through the placenta, breast milk, or breastfeeding. Therefore, it is also beneficial to recommend that cats should not be raised in the wild.

Generally, most cats with feline AIDS are stray cats. Because of the poor living environment, cats may fight or mate for territory, which can lead to feline AIDS. If you want to adopt a stray cat with feline AIDS, don’t worry. If you have other cats at home, it is recommended to isolate and keep them in a cage to prevent infection with your own cats.

How can a cat tell if it has feline AIDS?

If a cat is in the incubation period and does not develop the disease after being infected, it will not have any symptoms. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that if you want to adopt another cat when you already have a cat at home, especially a stray cat, it is best to take them both for a feline AIDS test. Only a small blood sample is needed to get the result quickly.

Because feline AIDS has the ability to infect other cats even if it does not show symptoms, cats that have been confirmed to be infected with feline AIDS need to be separated from other cats to avoid further spread. Closely observe the living conditions of sick cats, and seek medical attention promptly if depression, bad breath, diarrhea, etc. are found.

Owners should pay more attention to cats in normal times. Cats with feline AIDS will often develop chronic stomatitis or severe gingivitis, upper respiratory tract diseases, and the cats will gradually lose weight, have fever, swollen lymph nodes, anemia, and may develop chronic skin diseases in the later stages.

How is cat AIDS transmitted?

FIV is primarily transmitted from cat to cat through deep bite wounds, which usually occur during intense fights and territorial disputes. This is the most direct way FIV is spread.

Another less common mode of transmission is from an FIV-infected mother cat to her kittens. FIV does not appear to be commonly spread through sharing food bowls and litter boxes, playing, sneezing, and other casual contact.

While any feline can be susceptible, free-roaming outdoor male cats are most likely to contract the disease. Cats that stay indoors are least likely to be infected.

How to take care of a cat with AIDS

Supportive care

Treatment is mainly aimed at complications.

Avoid stress

To prolong the life of sick cats, stress should be avoided, high-quality food should be fed, and antibacterial antibiotics should be used for treatment when necessary.

isolation

Sick cats should not come into contact with other cats to avoid the spread of the virus and exposure to secondary pathogens. It is recommended that they stay indoors.

Castration

Castration is performed to reduce the stress caused by estrus, pregnancy, and lactation, the transmission of viruses from female cats to kittens, and to reduce fighting among male cats and the spread of the virus.