what to feed felv kitten

• Dry food usually contains plant-based proteins (grains, vegetables). These proteins do not give cats enough of the amino acids they need for proper health.
• Semi-moist cat food is another option. However, semi-moist food tends to be high in carbohydrates and aren't very nutritious. ...
• On the food label, look for a certification from the Association of American Feed Control officials. This certification ensures the food meets minimum nutrient requirements.
• Ask your vet for recommendations on which commercial diets would be best for your FIV cat.

Full Answer

What is the best diet for an FIV cat?

Your vet will recommend a diet based on your cat’s overall health. Consider your cat's nutritional needs. An FIV cat needs a nutritionally complete (contains all required nutrients) and balanced diet. Protein is one of the most important nutrients in a cat's diet.

Can I Feed my cat raw food if he has FeLV?

Feeding your FeLV-infected cat the best possible diet can greatly affect her overall health and ability to fight off the onset of FeLV-associated disease. You don't have to give up feeding raw cat food because of this diagnosis.

What should I do if my cat has FeLV?

Lastly, be sure to give your FeLV cat access to a steady supply of clean, fresh water at all times. It’s a very important aspect of cat ownership to take your cat to see a veterinarian regularly, but FeLV cats need to see a vet more often than non-affected cats.

What kind of food should I Feed my Cat?

Dry foods are typically inexpensive, but may not be very tasty or digestible. Canned foods are tasty, but may not be nutritionally complete. Dry food usually contains plant-based proteins (grains, vegetables). These proteins do not give cats enough of the amino acids they need for proper health. Semi-moist cat food is another option.

How do you get a cat with leukemia to eat?

Thomas: If he won't eat solid food, try feeding him the same way you give him water–through a syringe. Dahlia: Although tuna really isn't good for cats, sometimes a bit of “tuna juice” (the water from water-packed canned tuna) can stimulate the appetite. This can easily be given through a syringe.

How do you treat a kitten with feline leukemia?

Maintaining a good preventive healthcare programme with routine veterinary visits at least twice a year and regular worming, flea treatments and vaccination. Keeping infected cats indoors to prevent spread of infection to other cats and to reduce the exposure to other infections agents.

How do I keep my FeLV cat healthy?

Treatment and Prevention The only sure way to protect cats from FeLV is to prevent their exposure to FeLV-infected cats. Keeping cats indoors, away from potentially infected cats is recommended. If outdoor access is allowed, provide supervision or place cats in a secure enclosure to prevent wandering and fighting.

Can a kitten survive FeLV?

The feline leukemia prognosis for kittens is heartbreaking. Around 80 percent of kittens with FeLV do not live past three years, and most die within a year. Fortunately, there are exceptions to this rule. With excellent care, some kittens can and do survive their first year and make it to adulthood in good health.

Can kittens fight off feline leukemia?

FeLV Stages The cat may experience a transient viral infection, fight off the virus, and develop future immunity. Kittens younger than 16 weeks old are much less likely to fight off FeLV than adult cats.

What are the final stages of FeLV?

However, aggression (i.e. cat-fight bites) can also readily transmit the virus. There are three primary outcome stages of FeLV infection: abortive, regressive and progressive.

Is FeLV painful?

A variety of symptoms could develop, and there is a progressive deterioration in their health over time. However, ​a FeLV cat can live for many years without illness. FeLV can cause diseases such as enteritis (chronic diarrhea), eye disease or stomatitis (painful inflammation of the mouth).

Can FeLV cats live with negative cats?

This myth is partially true. Because FeLV is transmitted through shared food bowls, mutual grooming, and other close contact with infected cats, FeLV infected cats should be housed together. They don't need to be isolated, but they shouldn't be allowed contact with non-infected cats, and they should be kept inside.

Is sneezing a symptom of feline leukemia?

Some cats infected with feline leukemia will show no signs at all. When symptoms do occur, they can appear in almost any form. Common symptoms include lack of appetite, lethargy, fever, and weight loss. Respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, or a runny nose may be seen.

How long do kittens with FeLV live?

Most cats with FeLV live normal lives, but their life span tends to be significantly shorter. Around 80 percent of FeLV kittens do not live past three years and most die within a year.

What is the lifespan of a cat with feline leukemia?

Prognosis. There are no rules when it comes to feline leukemia and life expectancy. Once a cat reaches the final stage of FeLV, it is most likely to live up to several months if cared for properly. Sometimes, a cat with FeLV will live for three to four years after being diagnosed with the virus.

What if my kitten has feline leukemia?

All FeLV infected cats should be kept indoors and be neutered. There is presently no cure for FeLV infection. Secondary infections can be treated as they appear, and cats with cancer can receive chemotherapy. However, the prognosis is grave for cats with bone marrow compromise or widespread lymphoma.

Can kittens have feline leukemia?

Feline leukemia virus can be transmitted among cats in close, prolonged contact with each other through saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids including nasal and eye secretions. Often, it is transmitted from a mother cat to her kittens, and kittens are less able to fight off the virus than are adult cats.

Can feline leukemia be cured?

There is no treatment or cure for feline leukemia. Treatment is directed at symptoms and often includes steroids, blood transfusion and supportive care when necessary. Some medications have shown promise in treating feline leukemia, including antivirals used in human AIDS treatment.

What do I do if my cat has feline leukemia?

There is currently no specific treatment for FeLV-infected cats. There is no treatment to eliminate the virus from the body. Most FeLV-infected cats will eventually die or require humane euthanasia due to diseases related to their infection.

Should you put down a cat with feline leukemia?

Should Cats with Feline Leukemia Be Put Down? Cats who get feline leukemia do not need to be put down. About 70% of cats who get feline leukemia are able to fight the virus and secondary infections with sustained care. Sometimes, in the case of abortive infections, they can even cure themselves.

What are the CAS options?

CAS Options by Genesis Resources or are two immune building options that contain a blend of Reishi, Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms along with other herbs that have been shown in numerous studies to be potent immune enhancers.

What is the best supplement for the immune system?

Some of the most popular are: Feline Immune Support Formula by Genesis Resources is a good nutritional supplement to help build the immune system. It is a tablet that can be crushed and mixed in with canned food.

Can cats eat dry food?

Dry food is not a good diet for cats, especially those with a compromised immune system. Try as many different canned foods as you can to find one or two that he will eat. Better yet try some home-cooked chicken or salmon as a tasty treat to get his supplements in him.

What is the best cat food for kittens?

Wet and dry cat food are commonly available in kitten formulations, and there are pros and cons to feeding each. To decide which option best suits your kitten’s needs, talk with your veterinarian and get their recommendation. Here are some pros and cons of each: 1 Wet cat food is higher in moisture, so it can be beneficial in keeping kittens hydrated, flushing out the urinary tract, and helping kidneys stay healthy. However, wet food tends to stick to the teeth more, which can be associated with dental disease and painful cavity-type problems for cats. 2 Dry cat food is easier to feed in mutli-cat homes and can help scrape tartar from the teeth. However, some cats can overeat with dry food and gain excessive weight, which can be associated with arthritis, heart problems, blood pressure problems, respiratory problems, or diabetes mellitus—just to name a few.

How long does it take for a kitten to grow?

Kittens do most of their growing (both height and weight) within the first year and then stabilize from there. Many of the growth plates of the bones in the kitten skeleton close by about one year old. At this time, after much of the growth is finished, your vet will typically switch your kitten to an adult diet.

What are the disadvantages of having multiple cats?

Another disadvantage is that in a multiple-cat household, the older cats have access to and may be eating the kitten food.

What to do if your kitten is abandoned?

“ Kittens that are abandoned by their mothers should be carefully examined for visible birth defects such as a cleft palate and medical attention provided by a veterinarian if necessary. Supplementation with a milk replacement formula or a surrogate mother will be necessary to raise abandoned or orphaned kittens.” 2

Why do kittens need food?

Your new kitten will likely have tons of energy and engage in rowdy play, so their food needs to support their body as they burn calories exercising as well as expend energy for growth.

How does a cat food bowl work?

There are some cat food bowls that work on timers to automatically release a measured amount of dry food at specified times. Kittens can also learn to use their instinctual hunting behavior to work for part of their daily food. This helps keep your kitten healthy mentally and physically.

How much weight do kittens gain?

A general rule of thumb in kittens is that they typically gain about 1 pound per month. Often, a kitten’s weight is about 1 pound at 1 month (4 weeks), 2 pounds at 2 months (8 weeks), and so on until about 4-5 months. Kittens do most of their growing (both height and weight) within the first year and then stabilize from there.

How is FeLV transmitted?

FeLV is typically transferred through the exchanging of fluids from already infected cats, such as from bite wounds, nursing, mutual grooming, and litter boxes, as well as from touching noses and using shared feeding areas.

Things To Keep In Mind When Adopting A FeLV Positive Cat

Adopting an FeLV-positive cat requires a few considerations, but your life together can be just as happy and healthy as one with an uninfected cat.

Final Thoughts

FeLV cats can live very happy, healthy, and long lives, and don’t need very much extra attention to do so. However, there are a few important things that adopters should definitely prepare for before adopting to ensure that they remain healthy and to increase their longevity and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

FeLV can be easily spread among cats, so if you have other cats in your home who are not FeLV positive, make sure that you have them vaccinated to prevent a potential outbreak.

How to protect cats from FeLV?

The only sure way to protect cats from FeLV is to prevent their exposure to FeLV-infected cats. Keeping cats indoors, away from potentially infected cats is recommended . If outdoor access is allowed, provide supervision or place cats in a secure enclosure to prevent wandering and fighting.

How to protect a cat from a felv infection?

Veterinarians treating and managing FeLV-positive cats showing signs of disease usually treat specific problems (like prescribing antibiotics for bacterial infections, or performing blood transfusions for severe anemia ). The only sure way to protect cats from FeLV is to prevent their exposure to FeLV-infected cats.

How long does a cat's body survive a FeLV infection?

FeLV does not survive long outside a cat's body – probably less than a few hours under normal household conditions. Cats at greatest risk of FeLV infection are those that may be exposed to infected cats, either via prolonged close contact or through bite wounds.

What is the greatest risk for a cat to get a FeLV infection?

Cats at greatest risk of FeLV infection are those that may be exposed to infected cats, either via prolonged close contact or through bite wounds. Such cats include cats living with infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status, cats allowed outdoors unsupervised where they may be bitten by an infected cat, and kittens born to infected mothers.

How do you know if your cat has a virus?

During the early stages of infection, it is common for cats to exhibit no signs of disease at all. Over time, however, (weeks, months, or even years) an infected cat's health may progressively deteriorate or he/she may experience repeating cycles of illness and relative health. Signs can include: 1 Loss of appetite 2 Progressive weight loss 3 Poor coat condition 4 Enlarged lymph nodes 5 Persistent fever 6 Pale gums and other mucus membranes 7 Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and mouth (stomatitis) 8 Infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and upper respiratory tract 9 Persistent diarrhea 10 Seizures, behavior changes, and other neurological disorders 11 A variety of eye conditions 12 Abortion of kittens or other reproductive failures

What is the most common disease in cats?

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most common infectious diseases in cats, affecting between 2 and 3% of all cats in the United States. Infection rates are significantly higher (up to 30%) in cats that are ill or otherwise at high risk (see below). Fortunately, the prevalence of FeLV in cats has decreased significantly in ...

How does the cat virus spread?

The virus is shed in saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk of infected cats. Cat-to-cat transfer of the virus may occur from a bite wound, during mutual grooming, and (rarely) through the shared use of litter boxes and feeding dishes. Transmission can also take place from an infected mother cat to her kittens, ...

How to care for a FIV cat?

Fortunately, with proper care, an FIV cat can live a long and happy life. Part of this proper care includes feeding your FIV cat a healthy diet. Work with your vet to choose the best diet for your cat and take simple steps at home to ensure your cat eats and enjoys its food. Steps.

What is the best food for a FIV cat?

Protein is one of the most important nutrients in a cat's diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need animal-based proteins (chicken, beef) in their diets. Animal-based proteins contain amino acids (building blocks of protein) needed for healthy growth.

How to get a cat to eat if she has FIV?

If your FIV cat does not feel like eating, you will need to encourage it to eat. At mealtime, add a tasty topping (chicken or beef broth) to the food. You could also add a bit of tuna to the food. These extra toppings may add just enough extra flavor to entice your cat to eat.

What to feed a cat to make it healthy?

To make a homemade diet for your cat, use an animal-based protein source (cooked chicken, turkey, beef), carbohydrate (rice, boiled or mashed potatoes, whole oats), and vitamin and mineral supplements. The portion size you feed your cat will depend on several factors, such as age, activity level, and overall health.

What to do before starting a homemade cat diet?

The nutritionist would create a diet for your cat and give you recommendations on how to prepare the food.

What is a FIV cat?

FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) is a disease that affects a cat's immune system. Also known as Feline AIDS, FIV weakens the immune system and makes a cat more susceptible to infections in various parts of the body (skin, digestive system, respiratory system). Fortunately, with proper care, an FIV cat can live a long and happy life.

What is the best diet for a cat?

Many commercial diets are available that would provide your cat with proper nutrition. These diets come in several forms, including dry and canned. Dry foods are typically inexpensive, but may not be very tasty or digestible. Canned foods are tasty, but may not be nutritionally complete.

How to keep a leukemia positive cat healthy?

Dahlia: The best way to keep a leukemia-positive cat healthy is to provide very high-qualaity nutrition, regular vet care, and minimize his stress.

What is the problem with a cat with a steroid shot?

Because your cat is on antibiotics and got a steroid shot, we assume that the immediate problem is a bacterial infection that’s caused swelling.

How long can a cat live with leukemia?

Depending on how severely your cat is infected, he may only live a few months. On the other hand, if he gets through this crisis he could very well live for years!

What to do if your cat can't eat?

If you can’t get your cat to eat, this can quickly become an emergency. Your vet may be able to give you an appetite stimulant medicine to help get your cat eating again.

Is tuna good for cats?

Dahlia: Although tuna really isn’t good for cats, sometimes a bit of “tuna juice” (the water from water-packed canned tuna) can stimulate the appetite. This can easily be given through a syringe.

Can Siouxsie cause digestive upset?

Siouxsie: Also, vitamin supplements (particularly those with iron) and antibiotics can cause digestive upsets if taken on an empty stomach.

Can you mix canned cat food with water?

Siouxsie: Canned cat food can be mixed with water until it’s liquid and fed through a syringe. Make sure you get a high-quality pâté-style food rather than a “chunks in gravy”-style food.

What does FIV mean in cats?

They will often also test for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). The FELV (and FIV in cats 6 months of age or older) tests are routinely performed by animal shelters prior to adoptions, so the results of this testing should be included with the cats veterinary records when adopted.

What is a FELV cat?

Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV) is a relatively common viral disease of cats. Some cats acquire this infection at a very young age by being born to an FELV-infected female cat, others contract this disease through direct contact with saliva from an infected cat.

How long does it take for a cat to be tested for FeLV?

The test for FeLV is very sensitive and accurate; however, it is often necessary to retest the cat after four weeks to see if they are still positive, or have fought off the infection and are now immune.

How often should cats get booster shots?

Cats can start a leukemia vaccine series as early as 8 weeks of age. Boosters are given every 1-3 years depending on the amount of exposure risk, and the type of vaccination used. ...

What to do when your cat is upset?

If you're worried and upset, your cat will pick up on this. Keep calm, provide a comfortable and darkened carrier for your cat and travel during light traffic periods so that you're not stuck inside the car for longer than is required to get there and back.

How long can a cat live with FeLV?

Be ready to take extra precautions and care measures if your cat has FeLV. He or she can live for several years without the disease causing major problems if given appropriate care. In some cases, the cat may even become leukemia-negative, meaning that they will live a long and happy life.

What happens after a cat has a virus?

After the initial ‘viremia’ (virus multiplying in the bloodstream), some cats’ immune systems will actually fight off and clear the virus completely , others will progress into a persistently infected or ‘latent’ infection stage. At this stage, cats are often asymptomatic and can remain asymptomatic for many years.

Why Is Diet Management Important?

Because cats are feeling leukemia have compromised immune systems, nutrition needs to be a backbone in their everyday living. One way to keep your cats’ immune system functioning as it should is to provide a feline leukemia-positive cats diet high in protein, antioxidants, and low carbohydrates.

What Nutrients Are Most Essential?

Protein is the most vital ingredient for your FeLV-positive cat. Since a cat’s natural diet is comprised of bountiful protein , it’s just as important for immune health to keep up during domestication. Immuno-compromised cats will need a boost of protein in their diet, which is why they benefit from extra.

Can FeLV Positive Cats Eat Raw Diets?

There is some misconception about cats and raw food diets. It is true that cats cannot fight off illness properly with this condition. However, when you prepare raw food correctly, it actually boosts your cat’s immunity.

What is the best cat food for cats with leukemia?

If you’re looking for the best value, we think Iams Proactive Health High Protein cat food is the best cat food for cats with feline leukemia for the money. It has well-balanced, all-life-stages nutrition that keeps the immune, digestive, and cardiovascular systems running smoothly.

How many calories are in a can of ice cream?

There are 24 cans total, measuring 66 calories per can. The guaranteed analysis on the can is 11% crude protein, 5.5% crude fat, 1.5% crude fiber, and 78% moisture.

What is Purina Pro Plan?

Purina Pro Plan True Nature High Protein cat food is an ideal source of sustenance, giving your cat mouth-watering flavors of ocean fish and trout. It also contains liver for an extra aromatic kick—it’s our overall favorite. Pop a top on this can of cat food, and your buddies come running for the feast.

What is the best food for a cat with immune issues?

Carbohydrates are essentially another word for energy. Your immune-compromised cat will need proper levels of energy to keep up with a normal state. High protein, moderate carb diets help your cat maintain the right levels of bodily energy.

What is the FIV test for cats?

Testing kittens for FeLV and FIV (Proceedings) Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are retroviruses that represent two of the most important infectious diseases of cats worldwide. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are retroviruses that represent two of the most important infectious ...

How long does a kitten's FIV antibody last?

Maternally derived vaccine-associated antibodies may persist in kittens for longer than 8 weeks, giving another reason to interpret positive FIV antibody tests in young kittens with caution and to recommend re-testing.

What is PCR in cat testing?

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been promoted by some commercial laboratories as a method to determine a cat's true status. In order to be useful to practitioners, PCR tests should be able to detect a wide array of genetically divergent FIV strains and laboratories must maintain stringent quality control.

Why are my cat's ELISA results discordant?

Discordant results may be due to the stage of infection, the variability of host responses, or technical problems with testing. The status of the cat with discordant results may eventually become clear by repeating both tests in 60 days and yearly thereafter until the test results agree. Unfortunately, a significant number of these patients have persistently discordant test results and the cat's true status may not be known. Cats with discordant test results are best considered as potential sources of infection for other cats until their status is clarified.

How to diagnose FIV?

The most common method of diagnosis of FIV infection is screening for FIV antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patient-side kits are commonly used in veterinary clinics and in shelters. Screening for viral antigen is not possible since the amount of circulating virus is low after the acute stage of infection. FIV produces a persistent, life-long infection so that the detection of antibodies is judged sufficient for diagnosis. Most cats will produce antibodies to FIV within 60 days of exposure, but the length of time to seroconversion can be much longer in some cats.

How long does it take for a cat to test positive for ELISA?

Most cats will test positive on ELISA within 1 month of exposure, although detection of antigenemia may take much longer in some cats. Immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) tests on smears from blood or bone marrow detect p27 antigen within infected neutrophils and platelets and are recommended as confirmatory tests.

How long does it take for a cat to produce antibodies?

Most cats will produce antibodies to FIV within 60 days of exposure, but the length of time to seroconversion can be much longer in some cats.

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