Cats positive: common diseases in cats

When we speak of “positive cats,” we are referring to cats in which we tracked the human immunodeficiency virus or feline leukemia. These are common diseases in cats, yet little known of their masters.

FIV positive cats

The feline immunodeficiency virus is classified by virologists as a lentivirus, namely that it only affects the animals and slowly attacks the immune system of cats for long periods.

Since this virus affects the defenses of carrier animals, the problem is reflected more by infections that let the disease than the disease itself. This chronic disease is controllable but can not be eliminated, which means she will accompany our furry friend for the rest of his life.

If your cat is positive to test FIV, there are three possible outcomes. The first implies that the cat is self-immunized and gets to defeat the virus. The second implies that it is only carrying the disease without suffering the consequences. And the third implies that continues to live quietly, but struggling against an immune system that is deteriorating gradually and inexorably.

Feline leukemia, is it the same as in humans?

Furthermore, feline leukemia is transmitted by a retrovirus that, besides weakening the cat’s immune system by promoting its exposure to variations and present in the environment infections, is printed in the genetic material of its cells and complicates treatment.

Among the most common diseases produced by this virus are anemia, opportunistic infections, leukopenia, liver disease, reproductive problems and gastrointestinal disorders, neoplasms, neurological diseases, coagulation problems, and inflammation ganglia.


These diseases are not classified as zoonotic diseases. That is to say. They are not transmissible between animals and humans. In the case of FIV, a method of transmission distance is through saliva, and thus leaving infected, and uninfected cats share their food bowls and water bowl carries the risk of transmission, although they are not common. However, the most common method of transmission is through blood contact, either by transfusion or bites deep positive cats on non-positive cats.

In the case of leukemia, the transmission is rather by contact between mucous membranes by blood contact, including tears, saliva, nasal secretions, and congenital transmission.

Feline leukemia is not more transmissible between animals and humans because it is a virus that affects only the feline immune system.

How to tell if your cat is positive

Both conditions lead to predictable symptoms and detectable, but as is also the case for certain chronic diseases in humans, they can be present for long periods without any symptoms.

Some tracks which can indicate the existence of leukemia and the feline AIDS are fever, swollen lymph glands, neutropenia, loss of appetite, opaque hair, frequent skin infections, stomatitis, recurrent urinary tract infections or respiratory, progressive weight loss, spontaneous abortions, lymphomas, neurological deterioration, and convulsions.

However, these symptoms can often occur with other diseases or be diagnosed as an isolated disease and taking into account the frequency of appearances. It is strongly advised to take the cat to the vet to make him undergo the relevant tests.

Screening tests used for both diseases are by blood analysis, plasma, or serum, and as cases of discordance were observed in patients who were positive with each other and with negative, we strongly recommend to perform several tests screening for these diseases.

Here immunodeficiency testing by blood or marrow, the enzyme immunoassay ELISA blood test, the chain reaction of the polymerase analysis of blood and plasma, the Western blot analysis of blood, and finally, immunochromatographic.

The positive cats could live a life quite normal if they were detected early. Although incurable diseases and no preventive vaccines, they are controllable and can be addressed over time, and thanks to the attention and appropriate care, we will have our faithful animal and sometimes misunderstood, that will live robust and happy for many years.

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