Pet owners Beware

June 9, 2016 6:57am CST
If you own a cat you might want to get it tested for the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) equivalent of HIV as scientists say that there is evidence that your pet could be carrying the infectious disease. According to Lancet, the virus manifests in much the same way as HIV does to human. It lowers immunity, leaving the cat vulnerable to opportunistic infections. However, pet owners need not to panic as the virus cannot be transmitted to humans. Can these discovery lower the number of cats as pets?
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3 responses
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
9 Jun 16
A lot of strays get this. I think they can get it just by drinking out of the same water bowl as infected cats kind of like parvo in dogs. I had my cats vaccinated against it when they were kittens.
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10 Jun 16
yeah, I agree with you Shaggin. Also stray cats are very aggressive, fighting a lot thus spreading the virus amongst themselves. Good you got yours vaccinated, they at low risk of getting the virus.
12 Jun 16
@shaggin yeah she's safe.
• United States
9 Jun 16
I do not have any contacts and not in contact with cats, but good to let others know, thank you!
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10 Jun 16
Yeah, it's all about creating awareness. Tell a friend to tell a friend.
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• United States
10 Jun 16
@annahsabisa Yes you are correct! Thanks!
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@MEAngle (237)
9 Jun 16
Can cats that have been neutered or spayed be exposed to this disease if they only have contact with other spayed/neutered cats?
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9 Jun 16
The virus is primarily transmitted among cats through bites during fighting. Protect your cats from exposure to the virus by keeping them indoors and reducing contact with free-roaming cats that carry the virus, since they found out that stray cats are at high risk to be infected than home-kept ones. In this case it does not matter if spayed or not since transmission is through bites.
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