Feline Leukemia Virus

Feline leukemia virus is also known as FeLV. It is a retrovirus that produces an enzyme that reproduces itself in the cells it infects.

Two to three percent of all cats in the United States will get FeLV. Infected cats carry the disease in:

• Nasal secretions
• Feces
• Urine
• Milk to nursing kittens
• Saliva

Any cat that comes in contact with these substances may get the infection. Luckily it does not survive outside a cat's body very long. Examples of the ways cats can come in contact with the virus are:

• Shared kitty litter
• Shared feeding bowls
• Nursing kittens
• Prenatal transfer of virus
• Bites from an infected cat
• Grooming from an infected cat

You pet has a greater risk of infection if it is very young, old or already has a compromised immune system. If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, it has more of a chance of coming in contact with an infected cat as well.

Since feline leukemia is an immunodeficiency disease, it can affect your cat's body in a number of different ways. Since it disrupts and weakens your pet's natural immune system, the cat's body is more susceptible to other diseases as well. Microbes that occur naturally in the environment and normally don't make an animal sick may pose a serious threat to a cat with feline leukemia virus. It is also thought to be one of the most common causes of feline cancer.

Common symptoms include:

• Weight loss due to loss of appetite
• Dull coat
• Lymph node enlargement
• Fever
• Anemia
• Pale gums
• Swelling of the gums or mouth
• Infections that are difficult to clear up
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Inability to carry kittens to term

The infection can be found in two separate stages. In the first stage, the cat's immune system may fight the disease and overcome the virus. If this happens FeLV will not progress further, and the cat will effectively be cured. However, if the body is not strong enough to fight off the virus then the second stage will begin at some point. In this stage, the animal will have infections of bone marrow and other tissue and will be considered terminally infected.

You can protect your pet from FeLV by keeping her inside and away from other, possibly infected, cats. You should always keep a new cat isolated from the other cats until it has been tested for FeLV and the results come back negative.

There is a FeLV vaccine that can be given to uninfected cats. The problem with it is that not every cat that gets the vaccine will be protected, although most will. The vaccine gives some added protection, but it is still important to protect your cat from possible exposure to FeLV positive animals.

Testing for FeLV is done by blood tests that are sensitive to a component of the virus. Two types of FeLV blood tests are in common use. Both detect a protein component of the virus as it circulates in the bloodstream.

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assy (or ELISA) test detects both stages of FeLV. The test can be carried out in your veterinarian's office.
• Indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (or IFA) test can only find the secondary stage of the virus. This test must be sent out to a lab for diagnosis.

Be sure to discuss the tests with your vet, and ask questions about anything you don't understand. Your vet will be able to explain each test to you and help you understand why one test was chosen over the other.

Once your cat has been diagnosed with feline leukemia, you may wonder how much more time you have together. On average, a cat with this condition will live for two to three years. There are ways to give your cat the best chance for a longer and healthier life.

• Keep your cat inside to reduce the possibility of her contracting another illness.
• Spay or neuter your cat if it isn't all ready.
• Ask your vet about diet.
• Follow your vet's recommendation about check ups and follow ups.

Finding out your cat has feline leukemia virus can be devastating, but you will be able to enjoy your pet for the longest time possible by providing proper care and management of the disease.

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