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Cat with FIV PetPlanet Vets PPAdmin pettalk@petplanet.co.uk |
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Dear Amanda, The exact mode of transmission of FIV is not fully understood. Most people think that it is spread in the general cat population by fighting & biting. It is most common in the feral/semi-feral entire male cat, as they get into the most fights (and may be susceptible to sexual transmission of the virus). For the safety of the general cat population, a FIV positive cat should notreally go out, unless closely supervised to avoid any contact with other cats. The situation with his brother is a bit more complicated — if they get along without any fighting, the chance of transmission is probably low, but as the virus is shed in the saliva, grooming may pose a small risk. The FIVirus is not a very strong microbe, is killed by most disinfectants, and does not survive long outside the cat's body. Ideally, a FIV positive cat should be a single cat household, kept isolated from other cats, but in your situatin, there is a case to be made for the slight risk to be taken. I'm afraid that the decision ends up with you,Good Luck, Steve Mullender MRCVS (vet for petplanet)
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