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Has my cat feline aids? PetPlanet Vets PPAdmin pettalk@petplanet.co.uk |
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Dear JudithFeline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are the two infections often referred to as Feline Aids. They are both different viruses from the human disease and there is no cross between the species. Both cause suppression of the immune system leading to a diversity of clinical signs depending on secondary or opportunistic infections. Swollen lymph glands, gum infections, respiratory infections, chronic diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, any infection which does not appear to be clearing up as expected, anaemia,leukaemia and lymphosarcoma. Any or all of these can start to raise suspicions but confirmation is by blood test. Most veterinary practices can do tests within the practice with simple kits, or blood samples can be sent off to university or commercial laboratories. Ringworm, despite it's name, is a fungal infection of the skin, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes or Microsporum gypseum. The symptoms can range from mild scurfiness to patches of hairloss, often in the classical circular pattern which gives it it's name. it may also infect the roots of the nails. Culture of material or examination under a microscope is required to confirm diagnosis. Apple green fluorescence under a Woods Lamp is strongly suggestive of ringworm. Culture kits are also available for use in the practice or any commercial laboratory can carry it out. Four to six weeks of griseofulvin is normally enough to clear the infection. Immunosuppressed animals may have more severe symptoms. However, bone marrow suppression can be caused by the drug itself and can trigger off a fatal neutropaenia in FIV infected cats. Three months should be more than enough time to clear an infection.Ketoconazole is an alternative drug but is not licenced for animals and causes liver damage in some individuals. The homoeopathic remedies Berberis, Sepia, Chrysarobinum, Bacilinum and Tellerium can be used according to the appearance of the infection. Echinacea herb can be used to boost the immune system. It may be worth checking if there is a source of re-infection around, as well as bloodtesting for FIV and FeLV. It is probably best to ask for the griseofulvin to be stopped until blood tests have been done. A white blood cell count might also be worth doing in case it is th griseofulvin itself which is causing side-effects. Getting back to FIV and FeLV, both are eventually fatal, but treatment of the secondary infections and supportive treatment for the immune system and general health can stave off the inevitable for up to 2 years. I would suggest using complementary therapies as well as conventional. If the tests are +ve get back to us and I'll list them.Yours June Third-Carter B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S., Vet.M.F.Hom. for PetPlanet.co.uk
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