1. AUGUST 22, 2002 WWWTHEVISTAONLINE.COMN EWS
Photo by Timber Massey
A veterinarian checks cats for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
Cats AIDS vaccinations available
by Timber Massey
tm@thevistaonline. corn
According to Dr. Melanie
Krenek, a veterinarian at the
Animal Medical Center at I-
35, a vaccine is now available
for Feline Immunodeficiency
Virus, also referred to as
"Feline Aids."
"The Fel-ovax vaccine is
administered in a three shot
series," said Krenek.
"No vaccine is 100 percent
effective but the Fel-ovax has
had excellent results."
The Cornell Feline Health
Center has stated that some
FIV-positive cats may appear
normal for years after they
have been infected.
"I had no idea that cats
could even catch AIDs," said
Emily Monroe, senior special
education major.
"My cat is like a child to
me. I don't know what I
would do if she had a fatal
disease."
The virus is present in the
saliva of infected cats and may
pass beneath the skin of the
victim when it is bitten,
according to the American
Animal Hospital Association.
"Most cats become infect-
ed with FIV after being in a
fight with an infected cat,"
said Krenek.
"The most likely carriers of
the disease are older, male cats
who are outside a lot."
The Cornell Feline Health
Center reports, "Following
initial infection, the virus is
carried to regional lymph
nodes, where it may replicate
in white blood cells known as
T-lymphocytes."
"The virus then spreads to
lymph nodes throughout the
body, resulting in generalized
enlargement of the nodes.
This stage of the disease usu-
ally passes unnoticed by an
owner unless the nodes are
greatly enlarged."
The most common symp-
toms of FIV appear to be
severe gingivitis, frequent skin
infections, weight loss, and
fatigue according to the
American Animal Hospital
Association.
"The best precaution
against FIV is to keep your cat
indoors at all times," said
Krenek.
"Cats that are kept exclu-
sively indoors have a very low
chance of becoming infected
with FIV."
According to the Cornell
Feline Health Center in the
United States approximately
1.5 to 3 percent of seemingly
healthy and up to 15 percent
of non-healthy cats are infect-
ed with FIV.
"If you think that your cat
may be infected with FIV
than you should have it test-
ed," said Krenek.
Anyone interested in hav-
ing their cat tested for FIV
may call the Animal Medical
Center at 1-35 at 359-6301.
Gallery to feature 7 women artists
by Kristen Armstrong
ka@thevistaon_line.corn
The "Seven Women
Artists" exhibit will begin with
a reception at 6 p.m. Sept. 6 in
the Donna Nigh Gallery on
the fourth floor of Nigh
University Center.
The UCO students' exhibit
will showcase the art of Lilly
Jones, Susan Chen, Lynn
Craigie, Julie Brock Oxford,
Cynthia Witten Janssen,
Michelle Wood and Gail Trice
until Oct. 6.
The art ranges from ceram-
ics and tapestry, to fiber and
photography, to oil and water-
color painting.
"It's a really nice blending
of all types of mediums," said
Zana Gelona, director of gal-
leries and museums for the
College of Arts, Media, and
Design.
Pieces are priced from $25
up to $750, and all profits go
directly to the artists, she said.
"Student art is a great way
to start collecting, since some-
times they end up becoming
famous," Gelona said.
This will not be the first
time that these UCO women
have exhibited their art.
Three of them, Michelle
Wood, Gail Trice and Cynthia
Witten Janssen had work in
the Emerging Artist Show at
the Omniplex.
Lilly Jones has also exhibit-
ed and sold her art for some
time in Tulsa and at the state
fairgrounds. She also sculpted
art out of her home for many
years, Jones said.
"I didn't know I could do
it. I just did it," she.said.
Jones said having her work
in an exhibition such as this
one encourages her, and she
hopes that this will cause peo-
ple to recognize her name as an
artist.
And though she plans to
teaching art one day, she said,
"I hope to be famous first."
For more information, call
Gelona at 974-2432.
zill11111 410
348-3400
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