An independent medical laboratory has urged pet owners to be very vigilant with their pets following a cat which was found with a HIV-like virus found in animals.
Following a blood test after the cat developed sickness symptoms, the cat was found to suffer from Feline Immunodeficiency Virus(FIV).
“The virus causes the cat-version of AIDS by degrading their immune system. Leaving such cats vulnerable to a host of opportunistic infection,” said pathologists Dr. Dhaval Shah.
The pathologist said that human beings should not worry since the disease cannot be passed to humans, but they should take care of their pet against infections by the infected cats.
“The virus is spread among cats through bites during fighting hence cat owners should be vigilant against aggressive or free-roaming cats,” he added.
Dr. Kenneth Wameyo, Kenya Veterinary Honorary Secretary, cautioned against a large number of straying cats which can be easily infected with the virus.
The specialist said pet owner should monitor their animals and take them for veterinary treatment in case of any symptoms.