Feline immunodeficiency virus, also known as cat AIDS, is a disease of the immune system present in roughly 10 percent of cats. Feline AIDS leaves cats defenseless and weakened against other diseases.
Although FIV is untreatable, there are a variety of drug programs that help to strengthen the immune system and slow the progression of the disease. The most effective way to protect your cat against feline AIDS is by prevention.
Preventative Measures
To minimize the chances of infection, it is important to know that cat AIDS is spread by saliva and blood. If you are concerned about infected cats in your area, keep your cat separated to ensure that he doesn't come in contact with an FIV-positive cat. Although there is a vaccine that decreases the chance of your pet contracting FIV, cats that are kept from interacting with infected cats have a minimal risk of becoming ill.
If you know that your cat is infected with FIV, help to decrease the chances of his spreading the disease to other cats by keeping him inside and isolated from any other pets. Feline immunodeficiency virus is not transmittable to humans.
With the knowledge of how FIV is spread, you can successfully guard your cat against infection.