Cats have their own AIDS, which is called VIC
Scientists have found out that AIDS can affect not only people, but also animals. At the end of the 20th century, virologists from the United States discovered a latent retrovirus affecting the body of cats. It is very similar to the human immunodeficiency virus and also destroys the animal's immune system. This is also a chronic disease that cats have been suffering from for many years.
The feline immunodeficiency virus (VIC) is not dangerous for humans. They can only be infected by tailed ones, and, most often, from their brethren. The most likely way to get the virus is through contact, during a fight. It can get into the blood through the wound, along with the blood and saliva of a sick animal.
In saliva, the concentration of the virus is the largest and this biological fluid is as dangerous as possible. Once in a healthy body, VIC begins to multiply rapidly. And in a normal environment, he is defenseless and quickly dies. The enemy of the virus in the open air is ultraviolet radiation. Also, the infection quickly dies when heated.
Non-sterilized and non-castrated animals are most at risk of getting sick. They are the ones who bravely defend their territories and willingly enter into a fight with strangers. At the same time, cats are more likely to get sick than cats. Scientists name other ways of transmitting the immunodeficiency virus among animals:
Some biologists claim that VIC is also transmitted sexually. But there is no documentary confirmation of this yet.
According to statistics, there are always the most cats infected with the virus in animal shelters. This is due to the high density of the cat population and not always high-quality veterinary supervision. Sometimes sick animals are also found in breeders' kennels. This usually indicates the dishonesty of the owner of cats.
The manifestations of the disease in an animal depends on the state of its immune system. The nutrition and conditions of the cat also play a role. A pet with a strong body that eats well and lives in care and affection, after infection, VIC begins to catch colds more often, and also becomes sluggish. The owner may notice the problem only after a few months.
The condition of weakened cats, especially those who do not receive enough food and vitamins, is deteriorating rapidly. In just a couple of weeks, the animal may be in a dangerous condition and he will need urgent medical attention. Animal owners should be alarmed by symptoms such as lack of appetite, enlarged lymph nodes, frequent bronchitis, apathy and inactivity, permanent stomatitis and conjunctivitis.
Concomitant VIC diseases often become toxoplasmosis, leukemia, encephalopathy, lymphosarcoma. Unfortunately, like AIDS, VIC is not being treated yet. Usually veterinarians conduct therapy aimed at eliminating symptoms, stopping the development of complications and strengthening immunity. All this allows cats with the immunodeficiency virus to live the feline age completely and without suffering.