Fort Dodge Laboratories last week released it's new vaccine for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). We have already started vaccinating cats for this killer disease.
FIV is caused by a Lentevirus (slow virus) similar to the virus that causes Human AIDS and West Niles Disease. Although it is very similar to the Human AIDS virus FIV cannot infect humans!
The virus is spread almost exclusively from cat to cat by bite wounds. During the first wek or two after infection, lymph nodes may enlarge as the virus infects both neutrophils and T-Lymphocytes. The virus may then go into a latent period that may last from several months to years. Eventually the virus can recrudesce and drop neutrophil and lymphocyte counts to low levels. These immune cells normally hold back infections by bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi. Once the immune system is compromised virtually anything can happen. Some signs include gingivitis (infected gums), stomatitis (infected mouth), poor hair coat, weight loss, respiratory infections, diarrhea, etc., etc. Both FIV and Feline Leukemia are always to be suspected in any cat with recurrent illness.
I have included a couple of links to fillow and better understand the disease:
http://www.fivtest.com/
Check them out...
Better yet if your cat has any possibility of being bitten or biting another cat (especially intact males) go to your vet and get the new FIV vaccine. It takes three doses initially 2 to 3 weeks apart and then an annual booster. 3% to 15% of the nations cats are carriers so it can easily infect your cat.
You may wonder why Fort Dodge caould develop a vaccine against FIV and the whole world cannot develop a vaccine against human AIDS. It is quite simple... In the animal world, challenge studies can be done - not so in the human population. I'm sure this medical breakthrough may pave the road to a cure for Human AIDS in the future.
It is absolutely incredible! I am so pleased to be able to provide this life-saving vaccine to my patients.
Dr Dan
FIV is caused by a Lentevirus (slow virus) similar to the virus that causes Human AIDS and West Niles Disease. Although it is very similar to the Human AIDS virus FIV cannot infect humans!
The virus is spread almost exclusively from cat to cat by bite wounds. During the first wek or two after infection, lymph nodes may enlarge as the virus infects both neutrophils and T-Lymphocytes. The virus may then go into a latent period that may last from several months to years. Eventually the virus can recrudesce and drop neutrophil and lymphocyte counts to low levels. These immune cells normally hold back infections by bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi. Once the immune system is compromised virtually anything can happen. Some signs include gingivitis (infected gums), stomatitis (infected mouth), poor hair coat, weight loss, respiratory infections, diarrhea, etc., etc. Both FIV and Feline Leukemia are always to be suspected in any cat with recurrent illness.
I have included a couple of links to fillow and better understand the disease:
http://www.fivtest.com/
Check them out...
Better yet if your cat has any possibility of being bitten or biting another cat (especially intact males) go to your vet and get the new FIV vaccine. It takes three doses initially 2 to 3 weeks apart and then an annual booster. 3% to 15% of the nations cats are carriers so it can easily infect your cat.
You may wonder why Fort Dodge caould develop a vaccine against FIV and the whole world cannot develop a vaccine against human AIDS. It is quite simple... In the animal world, challenge studies can be done - not so in the human population. I'm sure this medical breakthrough may pave the road to a cure for Human AIDS in the future.
It is absolutely incredible! I am so pleased to be able to provide this life-saving vaccine to my patients.
Dr Dan