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 successful². Therefore, much longer courses of antimicrobials are often required in FIV positve cats compared to normal animals. Higher doses may also be neccessary⁵. Antibiotics used should be broad spectrum, with activity against anaerobic bacteria. Combinations including metronidazole or clindamycin are therefore good choices⁵.  

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

FIV-infected cats with chronic inflammatory conditions

such as gingivitis/stomatitis the combined use of antibiotics

with cautious use of corticosteroids may help to

reduce the severity of clinical disease.

Cats should not be fed raw meat and should be

discouraged from hunting due to the increased risk of

Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Preventive medicine is particularly important in the

Preventive medicine is particularly important in the