Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) affects approximately 2?4% of domestic cats in the United States, according to the Feline Health Center at Cornell University. Like the human immunodeficiency virus, FIV compromises a cat?s ability to fight infection, and although there are ways to manage the illness, it is ultimately fatal. The only way to fully protect cats from FIV is to prevent exposure. The virus is transmitted primarily through deep bit wounds, so veterinarians urge owners to keep their cats indoors. An FIV vaccine exists, but Laurie Hester, DVM, of AAHA-accredited Cats Limited Veterinary Hospital in West Hartford, Conn., says, ?The effectiveness of the vaccine is poorly supported by current research, which is why many clinics do not use it.? It may also cause cancer at the injection site. Susan Cotter, DVM, at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine says, ?There is a small risk of sarcomas developing after this vaccine ? so it is not recommended for the vast majority of cats.?

FIV cannot be transmitted to humans Caring for Your FIV+ Cat Finding out your cat has tested positive for FIV can be heartbreaking. On average, [FIV-positive cats] live five years post-diagnosis.? Managing the disease with nutritional support, consistent veterinary care, and immediate treatment of secondary infections can help your cat stay healthy longer. Hester recommends feeding FIV+ cats a well-balanced diet and avoiding raw foods. Uncooked meat can contain parasites and potentially harmful microorganisms that a cat with a suppressed immune system may not be able to fight. Carolyn McDaniel, VMD, of Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine and the Cornell Feline Health Center, says, ?Many veterinarians believe that the ideal diet for ?healthy? FIV-positive cats should be relatively high protein and low carbohydrate,? but she emphasizes tailoring that diet to each cat?s unique needs, which may change as the disease progresses. Veterinarians at Point Vicente Animal Hospital your best resource for nutritional advice and food recommendations specific to your pet.

FIV+ cats of any age should receive wellness exams at least twice each year. Since they are immunosuppressed, we need to make sure they do not contract other illnesses, and blood and urine screening should be done at these visits,? Early intervention and aggressive treatment of secondary illnesses is crucial to your cat?s survival. To lower your FIV+ cat?s risk of contracting other diseases and to prevent the spread of FIV to other cats, it is important to keep your cat indoors at all times. Installing A Tub Faucet With PexBut infected cats don?t have to live in isolation. Kittens For Sale Augusta GaSome veterinarians recommend an FIV+ cat live as the only cat, or with other FIV+ cats. Houses For Sale In Williamsbridge Bronx

Other veterinary professionals feel it is safe to have an FIV+ cat with an FIV- cat in the same household. As long as they get along well and don?t fight, the risk to the uninfected cat is low. FIV infection doesn?t have to be a death sentence. Ask us for more information and help in creating a management plan that will give your cat a chance to alternately love and ignore you for many years to come.Q: I've gone back and forth about the prospect of fostering Mojo, an FIV-positive cat from a shelter. After reading about it, I've learned how common FIV is among male stray cats in the Philippines. Unlike in some other countries, animal welfare facilities here lack space, funding, staff and volunteers. I decided to fund a modest-sized cattery for FIV cats, but somehow, this didn't seem like enough. Mojo is still on my mind. I never thought of myself as a cat person, but I felt I had to help him. During Mojo's first evening at the vet's office, he was diagnosed with a blocked ventricular valve, diabetes and a chronic eye infection.

Once he settled into my home, he quickly began to engage with his surroundings, and has become very affectionate. I have three dogs, and I'd like to see if everyone can live in relative peace. -- M.O., Philippines A: "It's true that FIV (the feline immunodeficiency virus) is very common among male feral cats," confirms legendary veterinarian Dr. Niels Pedersen, distinguished Professor in the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology at the Center for Companion Animal Health, University of California-Davis. Of course, Pedersen has no way to know the extent of Mojo's health issues. Diabetes can be treated with regular insulin injections. Many diabetic cats are overweight, and with weight loss, exercise and a quality low carbohydrate diet, remission is possible. The heart problem might be a serious issue. Eye problems are common in FIV cats. Still, with consistent good nutrition and living indoors, Pedersen says even some "iffy health" in FIV cats can improve. Many times, these cats die quite elderly of problems associated with old age -- not FIV.

However, regular proactive veterinary care is vital. While Pedersen applauds your efforts to save cats by building a cattery, the real problem lies in the overwhelming problem of street cats in many countries. "These street cats have been associated with people for eons," he notes. Pedersen says your FIV-positive cat can't infect another species. Unless Mojo has had an awful experience with dogs, or your dogs are accustomed to chasing cats, your pets should all get along. Just remember, the more careful and gradual the introduction, the better. I'm not sure if Feliway is available in the Philippines. If it is, plug a Feliway duffuser into the room where you're keeping Mojo, away from the dogs when you can't supervise. This product is a copy of a calming pheromone found on cats' cheek pads (cats deposit pheromones when they rub their cheek pads on your leg or a table leg). Also, take a clean towel and rub Mojo's cheek pads. Now rub that towel on your dogs to transfer the scent. You could also spray a touch of vanilla or lavender on the dogs and Mojo so they share a common scent.

When first introducing Mojo to your dogs, leash the dogs, and take no chances. What you don't want is a dog to chase Mojo; even in fun, Mojo won't find this amusing. Offer your cat some escape routes using vertical space which your dogs can't get to, such as a high book shelf or window ledge. It's amazing how smitten you became with Mojo - and what a wonderful thing you've done! Q: My daughter owns a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and a Jack Russell Terrier. Recently, while watching the retriever when my daughter was away, he vomited up some nylon stockings! He later passed a sock. He's also so thin that I can feel his ribs. My daughter says this is from all the exercise he gets. When I told her about the vomiting, she said the dog is always eating these things. Making matters worse, my granddaughter leaves her clothes on the bedroom floor, hence the dog has access to socks and other items. Apart from closing doors, do you have other ideas? -- P.W., Cyberspace A: "A veterinarian needs to see this dog, and sooner rather than later," implores Chicago veterinarian Dr. Sheldon Rubin. "

The dog needs to have a complete physical evaluation, ruling out everything from anemia to parasites. Is this dog able to normally digest food? There are many questions to be answered." If the dog checks out physically, there is a condition called pica, which your dog might have. Pica is a drive to eat inedible items, and may have become a habit when this dog was a puppy, exasperated by boredom, or a compulsive behavior. Rubin adds, "Indeed, your sense of the seriousness of this problem is on target, no matter what the cause. While this dog has apparently been lucky so far, eating a nylon stocking or a sock could cause a potentially life-threatening obstruction." If your veterinarian thinks this is a behavioral problem, a referral to a veterinary behaviorist might save your dog's life. Every Week, A $1 Reminder Of SorrowPain relievers: What are the differences?Princess Grace`s Fatal Crash: Her Daughter`s Account 10 reasons why you want the jobLife Skill #201: Washing a baseball capRouse Son's Confession: `Everybody Knew'