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LEUKEMIA IN CATS

Few of us that have had cats for any length of time have been spared the horrible pain of discovering that one of our cats has contracted Feline Leukemia (FeLV). FeLV is one of the most common infectious diseases in the cat, and is certainly one of the most destructive. There is no effective treatment and a diagnosis of illness caused by the FeLV virus most certainly means a shortened life span for the affected cat.

FeLV is contagious from cat to cat. It can be spread from a mother cat to her kittens inside the uterus or through the milk. It is most often spread to other cats through the saliva in catfights, but can also be spread through the urine and feces in the litter box.

There are no specific signs of FeLV, but most cats act depressed, sleep a lot, and lose weight. Decreased appetite is a common finding. The virus can and will depress a cat’s immune system so that it cannot fight of common infections. Other common problems seen with FeLV cats are repetitive respiratory problems, mouth infections, eye disease, skin disease, reproductive tract disorders, and chronic urinary tract infections. Any time a cat gets sick and does not respond to routine treatments, FeLV must be ruled out as a possible underlying cause. Unfortunately, death from FeLV is most often slow and causes much suffering. Euthanasia is often the only humane treatment.

I suggest that all cats be tested for the presence of the leukemia virus.
The younger they are tested and show up negative, the earlier they can be vaccinated. There are several vaccines available and all are very effective in preventing the disease in most cats. Once your cat is exposed and picks up the virus, the vaccine is of no value. A booster vaccine given each year helps ensure that your cat never deals with this horrible virus.

If your cat does show up positive on a single test it is usually a bad sign. A positive test does not mean that your cat is sick and in danger of imminent death, however. It means that the lab was able to find evidence of the virus in your cat’s blood. Ask for a re-test in 30 and 90 days. Some cats fight off the virus and can then be vaccinated. If a cat shows up positive on a test and then shows up negative on the next test, we always vaccinate. A few of these cats may still develop the infection, but many never do. If your cat was tested positive and never retested, make an appointment for a second test. It may save your cat’s life.

For kitten owners, have your new friend tested and vaccinated as soon as possible. Early prevention means a life free from the risk of Feline Leukemia.

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