Management

What can be done if my cat does have these diseases?

You and your veterinarian can develop a plan that includes:

Treating signs—Your cat can be treated with medications to minimize the signs of infection.

Semiannual wellness visits, which will help track your pet's progress:

• Thorough physical exam

• Fecal examinations

• CBC testing

• Blood chemistry panel (annually)

• Urinalysis (annually), culture by cystocentesis if indicated

Proper nutrition—Your veterinarian can recommend a properly balanced nutritional diet to help you maintain the health of your cat. Raw meat and eggs and unpasteuriized milk are not good for your cat.

Reducing secondary infection opportunities—Your cat will need to visit a veterinarian immediately if there are any signs of illness. Keeping your cat indoors and isolated from other cats in the household can greatly reduce the chance of a secondary illness.

Spay/Neuter—This reduces the tendency for your cat to fight and/or mate, thereby decreasing the ability to spread the virus.

This management plan is based in part on guidelines developed by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) in their 2005 Report on Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management.

With proper care, infected cats can live long and healthy lives.