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 Video
- Dr. Jim Humphries, DMV - SERIOUS CAT
DISEASES
Photos and story courtesy of the
VNN
Veterinary News Network -- SERIOUS CAT
DISEASES REMAIN PREVALENT!
Vaccinations are available but controversy
and concern surround their use.
Even as cats sit gloriously upon their
throne as America’s most popular pet, the
specter of two deadly diseases looms. Owners
of the 80 million cats in North America are
often unaware of the consequences or even
the existence of these significant “cat
killers.”
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are contagious
feline diseases affecting several million
cats in the United States. FIV is also known
as Feline AIDS and although it cannot infect
humans, it is related to the human
immunodeficiency virus. In fact, the Feline
Leukemia virus is associated with more
illnesses and deaths of cats than any other
infectious agent.
For cat owners, the fact that infected cats
may not show any signs of illness is a great
concern. Both viruses actually have the
ability to hide in cells of the cat’s body
for years without causing any apparent
symptoms. While FeLV is a “social contact”
disease, often spread among cats who share
food and water bowls or who spend
significant time grooming each other, FIV is
generally spread among outdoor cats who
fight.
Vaccinations are available for both
diseases, but their use is controversial and
not without concern. The American
Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
highly recommends testing cats for both
diseases prior to vaccination. If the cat is
not at risk for either illness, the AAFP
recommends avoiding these vaccines
altogether.
Fortunately, not all of the news is bad.
Proper testing protocols and wellness plans
can help reduce the incidence of these
diseases without the need for indiscriminate
vaccination. Talk with your veterinarian
about the appropriate blood tests and find
out what you can do to minimize your cat’s
risks to these deadly diseases.
To learn more about these exciting new
advances in Orthotic pet medicine, visit
www.MyVNN.com.
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