How Can You Manage FeLV in Cats?
FeLV can be managed effectively by keeping the cat indoors, preventing infections, providing a nutritious diet, and scheduling regular veterinary visits for blood work and treatments. Since there is no cure for FeLV, management focuses on improving the quality of life. Supportive care is crucial for managing FeLV. Providing a high-quality, antioxidant-rich diet, reducing stress, and controlling parasites can all help improve the cat's health. Avoiding raw food is recommended to reduce the risk of bacterial infections. Dental care is also vital to prevent oral transmission. While antiviral treatments are still in the trial phase, they show promise. Hero Veterinary imports rare and effective therapies for challenging cases, collaborating with over 300 clinics worldwide.
The life expectancy of cats is between 12 and 18 years. Genetically robust cats live up to 15 years or more. Cats that are well cared for and genetically robust live for 18 to 20 years. The oldest cat was born in Austin, Texas, in 1967 and died in 2005 at 38. The name of the oldest cat was Creme Puff. Outdoor cat life expectancy is much shorter than the indoor cat’s lifespan. Cat lifestyle, or whether cats live indoors or outdoors, is a primary determinant of the life expectancy of cats.
Understanding cat longevity requires knowledge of cat life stages and years. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recognizes four cat life stages in cats. Life stage 1 is kittens or cats less than 1 year of age, young adult cats or between the ages of 1 and 6, mature adults or cats between the ages of 7 and 10, and senior cats 10 years or older. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) in the Senior Care Guidelines divides the senior cat stage into two substages: senior cats aged 11 to 14 and geriatric cats aged 15 to 25.