Caring For Cats

Cat lovers need not feel down in the mouth about protecting their pets from serious disease. Of course, their cat’s mouth is a good place to start. A recent study shows that cats with common varieties of oral disease have the next rate of testing positive for additional serious diseases.

The great news is that with early detection and proper veterinary care, cats with serious diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), the feline version of HIV, and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can live long and healthy lives. Having cats tested may be a key issue in slowing the spread of those diseases.

An estimated 31 million cats in the U.S. are in danger for FIV and FeLV. These diseases are spread from cat to cat (they can not be unfold to individuals) and are highly contagious. Since cats with FIV and FeLV usually don’t have any visible symptoms and many cat homeowners aren’t aware their cat has been exposed, it’s vitally necessary to have cats tested. Treatment sometimes consists of a nutritional diet, closer monitoring and more frequent visits to the vet.

The study, conducted by veterinary clinics round the country, found one in every eight cats that had some type of oral disease also tested positive for FIV, FeLV or both. Cats with oral diseases are four times more seemingly to possess those conditions than cats without.

“This study encourages testing cats that have gingivitis and other oral diseases for FIV and FeLV infection. This gives veterinarians valuable new data in their efforts to fight these contagious viruses,” said Dr. Jan Bellows, a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental School and therefore the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Cat owners should work with their veterinarian to ascertain a daily schedule of comprehensive wellness exams, as well as dental screenings and FIV/FeLV testing.

The Yank Association of Feline Practitioners says a cat should also be tested for FIV/FeLV:

• When sick, no matter previous negative results. Signs of illness may include changes in behavior, grooming and eating habits.

• When cats and kittens, irrespective of age, are newly adopted.

• When cats live in households with unknown infection status. Infected cats who do not have symptoms will still transmit the viruses to uninfected cats.

• When cats have had potential exposure, whether they snuck outdoors or got in a fight with a cat of unknown infection status.

• Annually, particularly for cats that fight or live with infected cats.

The Yankee Veterinary Medical Association recommends cat house owners visit their veterinarians for a wellness exam twice a year.

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