s my cat at risk of catching the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV)?<\/p>\n
If you answer \"yes\" to any of these questions, your cat should be tested.<\/strong><\/p>\n Because without a diagnosis, your cat cannot receive adequate treatment. Without screening tests, we cannot know if a cat is infected or not. And if the cat's status is unknown, it can be a carrier and transmit the disease to other cats.<\/p>\n The FIV and FeLV viruses are major causes of cat disease and death; they weaken the immune system. They are transmitted from one cat to the other and are very contagious. Often, they don\u2019t have many apparent signs and even cats that seem to be in good health can be carriers of the infection and transmit the viruses to other cats. These viruses cannot be transmitted to humans.<\/p>\n The spread of FIV is usually done through biting. The spread of FeLV is done by contact with saliva or urine from an infected cat, during mutual grooming, or when they share food bowls and litter boxes. An infected mother usually infects its kittens.<\/p>\n Only a small blood sample is required and only a few minutes are necessary to get the results.<\/p>\n There are no distinctive signs for these diseases; sometimes, signs do not appear for weeks or even years after the infection.<\/p>\n Among symptoms to watch out for, there are decrease in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, weakness, bite marks, infected wounds, fever, swollen lymph nodes, etc.<\/p>\n\n
Why is it important for your cat to be given a screening test?<\/h2>\n
What are the signs?<\/h2>\n