Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

In the sick FIV-positive cat, treatment is aimed at symptomatic and supportive care and management of the secondary infections present. Because these animals are immunosuppressed, their response to antibiotic therapy is often much slower and less successful^{2, 5}. Therefore, much longer courses of antimicrobials are often required in FIV positve cats compared to normal animals. Higher doses may also be neccessary^{4, 5}. Antibiotics used should be broad spectrum, with activity against anaerobic bacteria. Combinations including metronidazole or clindamycin are therefore good choices⁵. In inflammatory conditions, such as gingivitis/stomatitis, careful use of anti-inflammatory doses of corticosteroids in combination with antibiosis may be effective in reducing the severity of disease^{2, 4, 5, 6}. Topical steroids may be used in uveitis. Tooth extraction and scale and polishing can also help in the control of gingivitis. Dietary modifications may need to be made, for example in the face of renal disease or diarrhoea⁵, and appetite stimulants such as cyproheptidine can be useful in anorexic cats. Cats should not be fed raw meat and should be discouraged from hunting due to the increased risk of ''Toxoplasma gondii'' infection².

In the sick FIV-positive cat, treatment is aimed at symptomatic and supportive care and management of the secondary infections present. Because these animals are immunosuppressed, their response to antibiotic therapy is often much slower and less successful^{2, 5}. Therefore, much longer courses of antimicrobials are often required in FIV positve cats compared to normal animals. Higher doses may also be neccessary^{4, 5}. Antibiotics used should be broad spectrum, with activity against anaerobic bacteria. Combinations including metronidazole or clindamycin are therefore good choices⁵. In inflammatory conditions, such as gingivitis/stomatitis, careful use of anti-inflammatory doses of corticosteroids in combination with antibiosis may be effective in reducing the severity of disease^{2, 4, 5, 6}. Topical steroids may be used in uveitis. Tooth extraction and scale and polishing can also help in the control of gingivitis. Dietary modifications may need to be made, for example in the face of renal disease or diarrhoea⁵, and appetite stimulants such as cyproheptidine can be useful in anorexic cats. Cats should not be fed raw meat and should be discouraged from hunting due to the increased risk of ''Toxoplasma gondii'' infection². Griseofulvin is contraindicated in FIV-positive individuals because it can cause a severe neutropenia that can enhance the establishement of secondary infections⁵.

Preventive medicine is particularly important in the

Preventive strategies should also be implemented in the FIV-infected animal in order to protect the cat from potentially life-threatening infections. This is particularly important as FIV positive animals are often refractory to treatment when secondary infections arise. Vaccination, particularly against herpesvirus,

potentially immunosuppressed cat, as infection with

other viruses is likely to be more life-threatening and

refractory to treatment than in the otherwise healthy

individual. Vaccination, particularly against herpesvirus,

calicivirus and panleukopenia, is recommended and it

calicivirus and panleukopenia, is recommended and it

may be worthwhile considering the use of killed vaccines,

may be worthwhile considering the use of killed vaccines,