cat lovers should not feel in the mouth to protect their livestock against serious diseases. In fact, their mouth is a good place to start. A recent study shows that cats with common forms of oral diseases are more positive results for more serious illnesses.
The good news is that early detection and adequate veterinary care, cats with serious diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline version of HIV and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can live a long life and healthy. After testing the cats is a key factor in slowing the spread of these diseases.
An estimated 31 million cats in the United States are at risk for FIV and FeLV. These diseases are spread by a cat a cat (which can not be spread to humans) and is highly contagious. Since cats for FIV and FeLV are often no visible symptoms and many cat owners are unaware of their cat has been exposed, it is very important to have the cats tested. Treatment usually consists of a diet closer monitoring and more frequent visits to the vet.
The study, conducted by veterinary clinics around the country, found one in eight cats have some form of oral disease has also tested positive for FIV, FeLV, or both. Cats with dental disease are four times more likely to have these conditions without cats.
"This study encourages testing cats suffering from gingivitis and other oral diseases for FIV and FeLV infection. This provides valuable information veterinarians in their efforts to combat these infectious virus," said Dr. Jan Bellows, a diplomat American College of Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry of the American Veterinary Medical Board.
Cat owners should work with your veterinarian to establish a regular schedule of comprehensive wellness exams, including dental examinations and FIV / FeLV testing.
American Association of Feline Practitioners say a cat should be tested for FIV / FeLV:
• When you are sick, regardless of previous negative results. The signs of the disease may include changes in behavior, grooming and eating habits.
• When cats and kittens, regardless of age, have recently been adopted.
• When cats live in households with unknown infection status. Infected cats show no symptoms can still transmit the virus to uninfected cats.
• When the cats had potential exposure, if they escaped and got into a fight with a cat of unknown infection status.
• Every year, cats for cats that fight infection or live.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that cat owners visit their veterinarian for a wellness exam twice a year.
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The good news is that early detection and adequate veterinary care, cats with serious diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline version of HIV and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can live a long life and healthy. After testing the cats is a key factor in slowing the spread of these diseases.
An estimated 31 million cats in the United States are at risk for FIV and FeLV. These diseases are spread by a cat a cat (which can not be spread to humans) and is highly contagious. Since cats for FIV and FeLV are often no visible symptoms and many cat owners are unaware of their cat has been exposed, it is very important to have the cats tested. Treatment usually consists of a diet closer monitoring and more frequent visits to the vet.
The study, conducted by veterinary clinics around the country, found one in eight cats have some form of oral disease has also tested positive for FIV, FeLV, or both. Cats with dental disease are four times more likely to have these conditions without cats.
"This study encourages testing cats suffering from gingivitis and other oral diseases for FIV and FeLV infection. This provides valuable information veterinarians in their efforts to combat these infectious virus," said Dr. Jan Bellows, a diplomat American College of Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry of the American Veterinary Medical Board.
Cat owners should work with your veterinarian to establish a regular schedule of comprehensive wellness exams, including dental examinations and FIV / FeLV testing.
American Association of Feline Practitioners say a cat should be tested for FIV / FeLV:
• When you are sick, regardless of previous negative results. The signs of the disease may include changes in behavior, grooming and eating habits.
• When cats and kittens, regardless of age, have recently been adopted.
• When cats live in households with unknown infection status. Infected cats show no symptoms can still transmit the virus to uninfected cats.
• When the cats had potential exposure, if they escaped and got into a fight with a cat of unknown infection status.
• Every year, cats for cats that fight infection or live.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that cat owners visit their veterinarian for a wellness exam twice a year.