Spring is a great time for your cat to get out and enjoy some fresh air. The exercise may also be a welcome benefit after spending all winter lying around. But outdoor life is not without risk and one of them is an encounter with another cat that is less than friendly.
Many cats receive bite wounds that eventually become an abscess. Abscesses are trapped pockets of infection that cause pain, fever and lethargy. They may be difficult to find under the cat’s fur until they become quite large or until they rupture.
Another outdoor danger is a group of viruses called retroviruses. These are, more specifically, feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
FeLV infection starts very similar to a cold with runny nose and fever. As this disease progresses, though, it can become fatal. FeLV can be prevented with relative efficiency by a vaccine. We highly recommend this vaccine for all outdoor cats.
FIV is slightly different and is the feline equivalent of the AIDS virus, HIV. It affects the immune system and lowers the body’s ability to fight infection. It is not deadly in its own right, though, and cats can live a relatively normal life if not exposed to other infections.
For further information or to schedule an appointment, contact Hudson Veterinary Hospital at (330)650-2929.
Dr. Mark