How likely is it for a kitten to have FIV?
In North America, approximately 2.5-5% percent of healthy cats are infected with FIV. Rates are significantly higher (15 percent or more) in cats that are sick or at high risk of infection.
What does a negative FIV test mean for a kitten?
A negative FIV test should be confirmed, but for all intents and purposes, a negative FIV test in a kitten strongly suggests that the cat is not infected with the virus. FeLV is spread to cats through direct contact, such as licking, grooming, fighting and sharing food bowls, water bowls and cat litter boxes.
How old do you have to be to test for feline leukemia?
Your vet is incorrect about having to wait before testing for feline leukemia (FeLV) testing. There is no age requirement for this test; it can be done at any time. The test does require a few drops of blood, and it is not easy to get blood from a 4- or 5-week-old kitten.
How old are my kittens when they get their shots?
I found an orphaned kitten, which the vet has judged to be between 4-5 weeks old. I have four full-grown cats who are not up to date on their shots, although they completed all their first-year shots. They range in age from 4-5 years old, and are strictly indoor cats. I keep the baby in a carrier away from the other cats.
Do FIV cats live long?
Statistically, most FIV cats* live as long as their indoor counterparts (13-18 years), and much longer, in fact, than cats that live outdoors (3-8 years). There are many reported cases where FIV+ cats live well into old age without ever showing any symptoms.
How do cats spread FIV?
FIV is transmitted primarily through deep bite wounds, where the virus present in the infected cat’s saliva enters the body tissues of another cat. FIV+ cats can share water bowls, pellet bowls, eat from the same bowl of wet food, and use the same litter box with low danger of transmitting the disease.
Why are cats born with no tails?
Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs with some regularity in cats that are born without tails. The genes that cause the spine to shorten and not produce a tail are the same genes that cause spina bifida. Genes causing the kitten to not form a tail are slightly overactive, they can cause defects in the spine higher than the tail.
How to treat feline upper respiratory illness?
10 Home Remedies for Upper Respiratory Infection In Cats | Q&A Home vaporizer/humidifier -. Since dry air can make your cat’s symptoms worse, using a vaporizer or humidifier at home will somehow make your cat more comfortable. Steam -. Placing your cat on a warm, dry surface in a steamy bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes several times daily also helps relieve nasal congestion. Warm environment -. Decongest -.
