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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

FIV in Western Canada

Ravi M, Wobeser G, Taylor S et al: Naturally acquired feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in cats from western Canada: prevalence, disease associations, and survival analysis, Can Vet J 51:271, 2010.

While feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection is well known as a cause of illness in cats worldwide, little data has been available about infection rates in Canada. In this retrospective study, 1205 client-owned cats in western Canada were tested for FIV antibodies. 5.5% of the cats were FIV-antibody positive. Infected cats were more likely to be males, to have bite wounds, and were older than antibody-negative cats. The survival time of FIV-positive cats was not significantly different from age and gender matched FIV-negative cats. This research adds to the knowledge that veterinarians in Canada need to develop testing and management plans for FIV. [SL]

Related articles:
Little S, Sears W, Lachtara J et al: Seroprevalence of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection among cats in Canada, Can Vet J 50:644, 2009.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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