Control Of Felv Infection Feline Leukemia Vaccine
The Feline Leukemia vaccine can help to prevent cats from catching and transmitting the virus.
An effective FeLV vaccine is available. Kittens are most vulnerable to picking up the virus, so ideally all kittens should be vaccinated unless their carers are certain that they will not encounter cats that are carrying the virus .
Repeated vaccinations for adult cats should be given after a review of thecats riske.g. indoor-only cats will be very low risk, while cats that go outdoors and socialize with other cats will have a relatively high risk.
What Is The Prognosis For Cat Leukemia
When you receive a diagnosis for cat leukemia, you might think the worst, but it is important to remember that cats with feline leukemia virus can live normal lives for long periods of time. Cats that are diagnosed with feline leukemia virus have a median survival time of two and a half years.
Careful monitoring of a cats weight, appetite, activity level, elimination habits, appearance of the mouth, eyes, and behavior will be important parts of managing the disease. Consult your veterinarian if any of these signs appear abnormal.
We understand that this may be a difficult time for you and we are here to help you and your pet find any relief that we can. While CBD cannot cure feline leukemia, consider using CBD for cats for its potential benefits to help deal with some of the symptoms of this virus.
Is There Any Treatment For Felv Infection Or Disease
There is currently no specific treatment for FeLV-infected cats. There is no treatment to eliminate the virus from the body. Most FeLV-infected cats will eventually die or require humane euthanasia due to diseases related to their infection. However, many cats showing FeLV-related disease will improve with symptomatic treatment, at least temporarily. For example, if FeLV is causing immunosuppression and the patient develops secondary infections, the secondary infections may be treatable, leading to clinical improvement.
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Feline Leukemia Signs & Symptoms
Cats with Feline Leukemia become immunocompromised, which may lead to a range of secondary health issues.
The main effect of persistent FeLV infection is the suppression of the cats immune system. This has a number of effects on the cats body.
Feline leukemia may cause the following:
- Chronic, recurrent secondary infections, such as gingivitis or stomatitis, cystitis, skin disease, respiratory conditions, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Typical clinical signs seen by an owner may be a dull cat, with a dry, poor coat, a high temperature, poor appetite, and weight loss.
- The other main effects are severe anemia and multi-focal cancer affecting lymph nodes and other internal organs, causing a range of other signs of illness.
Your Cats Risk Factors
Exposure to infected cats raises your catâs risk of contracting FeLV, especially for kittens and young adult cats. Older cats are less likely to contract the infection, because resistance seems to increase with age. For indoor-only cats, the risk of contracting FeLV is very low. Cats in multi-cat households or in catteries are more at risk, especially if they share water and food dishes and litter boxes.
Only about 3% of cats in single-cat households have the virus, but for cats that spend time outdoors, the rate is much higher. Still, the prevalence of FeLV has decreased over the last 25 years because of vaccines and reliable tests.
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Should Your Cat Get The Feline Leukemia Vaccine
Feline Leukemia vaccine is classified as a non-core vaccine under the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners feline vaccination guidelines, meaning that the need for vaccination is dictated by geographical location, lifestyle and exposure risk.
Indoor cats that never encounter other cats should not be at risk of picking up Feline Leukemia, so vaccination may not be necessary. However cats that roam outdoors, coming into contact with other cats, are likely to be at risk, so vaccination may be recommended. Every cat owner should discuss this topic with their own veterinarian, making a decision based on the individual risk of the cat.
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Its important to distinguish FeLV from another retrovirus infection, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus , and from Feline Infectious Peritonitis , a type of coronavirus infection. These disease names may sound similar to a cat owner, yet they are entirely different diseases, and will be discussed in different articles.
Is Leukemia In Cats Contagious
A cat with FeLV sheds a large quantity of the virus in its saliva, as well as in other bodily fluids such as nasal secretions, urine and feces. However, FeLV is not a highly contagious virus, and transmission generally requires a prolonged period of close contact between infected and susceptible cats.
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Common Myths About Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline leukemia virus is one of the most common infectious diseases in cats, affecting between 2 and 3% of all cats in the United States, and 3.4% of all cats in Canada. It is a virus that attacks a cats immune system, weakening it.
FeLV is spread between cats through their saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk. Cats who are infected with FeLV are at higher risk for some cancers, blood disorders, or secondary infections due to their weakened immune response.
FeLV is often misunderstood, which has led to the euthanasia of many of these special felines infected with the virus. Even the most avid cat lover may hesitate to adopt a cat with a FeLV diagnosis, or may be unsure of what is next if their cat is diagnosed. .
Lets explore some common misconceptions about FeLV:
- FeLV Myth #1 FeLV is a form of cancer.
FeLV is not cancer. It is a retrovirus that attacks a cats immune system, weakening it.
- FeLV Myth #2 FeLV can be transmitted from infected cats to other animals or people.
FeLV is highly species-specific, and cannot be transmitted to humans or other species. The virus does not survive outside of a cats body, meaning there is no risk of transmission to people or other animals through high touch surfaces or cuddling or petting a FeLV positive cat.
- FeLV Myth #3 A cat diagnosed with FeLV will have a short life, or be very sick for the rest of their life.
- FeLV Myth #4 Cats with FeLV cant live with other cats.
Diagnosing Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline Leukemia Is A Serious Condition
Feline Leukemia is a very serious condition and one that you will need to be sure that you work with a vet to create a treatment protocol for your infected cat. This is something that needs to be taken seriously so that your infected cat does not cause other pets in your home to become sick as well. Always make sure that you test any stray cat that you take in or adopt, even if they are not showing symptoms.
The treatments for this condition are limited, but you will have some options open to you to allow your cat with FeLV to have a full and comfortable life. FeLV is something that every pet owner should vaccinate for, and you will want to be sure that every cat that you own that is not infected gets vaccinated for this as soon as they are old enough. For more information, or if you need to see a veterinarian, contact Emergency Veterinary Care Centers by calling one of our locations. Our highly skilled teams are here 24/7 to help you and your pet.
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Diagnosis Of Felv Infection
Fortunately, good diagnostic tests are readily available for FeLV. Simple in clinic blood tests are used by many vets . These tests detect a protein produced during replication of the FeLV virus which is usually present in the blood of cats persistently infected with the virus. These tests are quick, relatively inexpensive, and generally very reliable. Often the kits simultaneously test for FIV, as many of the clinical signs of FIV infection are similar to FeLV infection.
Occasional false positive and negative results occur, so if an unexpected result is obtained a confirmatory test is usually performed. For a confirmatory test, a blood sample is often submitted to a specialist veterinary laboratory:
- Virus isolation this test detects the virus itself within the blood sample through laboratory culture of the virus
- Immunofluorescence this tests for viral proteins present in blood cells
- PCR this test detects the genetic material of the virus
Re-testing is sometimes required after 12-16 weeks to confirm the status of a cat if the cat has only recently been exposed it may test negative for the virus. Conversely, if a cat has only recently been infected it can occasionally test positive, and may then be able to eliminate infection.
Any cat that tests positive for FeLV should be isolated from other cats to prevent transmission.
How Much Does The Feline Leukemia Vaccine Cost
The cost depends on your location and your choice of DVM veterinarian: you should phone around your local area to discover the range of prices on the market place. In general, the fee represents a combination of a veterinary clinical examination of your pet as well as the cost of the vaccine itself.
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Veterinarian Offers Information And Tips On Feline Leukemia Virus And Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
The American Association of Feline Practitioners recently updated its guidelines on Feline Leukemia virus and Feline Immunodeficiency virus, both serious infectious diseases in cats.
Dr. Diane Delmain of Auburn Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine offers information on prevention, symptoms and vaccinations.
What is Feline Leukemia virus and what are the symptoms?
The name, Feline Leukemia virus, or FeLV, confuses many people. In humans, leukemia refers only to a type of cancer affecting the white blood cells. FeLV virus only affects cats, and very rarely causes actual leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells. FeLV most commonly causes immune suppression, anemia or other types of cancers and it often leads to death within three years of diagnosis. Symptoms are quite variable, depending on the stage of infection and strength of the cats immune system. Some infected cats will appear healthy, while others may have secondary respiratory infections, weakness, fever, labored breathing or neurological signs.
Cats are most susceptible when they are young. FeLV is very contagious, but does not live long in the environment. This virus is spread from mothers to kittens or by close affectionate contact such as mutual grooming, sharing bowls and litter boxesI tell my students that Leukemia is for Lovers. However, bite wounds are an important method of transmission as well.
What is Feline Immunodeficiency virus and what are the symptoms?
How Can Felv Infection Be Diagnosed
Diagnosis of FeLV infection is relatively simple. A rapid blood test can be performed which is able to detect parts of the virus in the blood of an infected cat. This test is very accurate and reliable, although false results may rarely occur. Some cats with only a transient FeLV infection will be positive on the initial blood test. A second test performed eight to twelve weeks after the first test may be required to differentiate between temporary and persistent infections. In some situations, it may be necessary to confirm infection through additional blood testing at a specialized laboratory.
“Diagnosis of FeLV infection is relatively simple.”
Diagnosis of disease due to FeLV is more difficult because of the variety of signs and symptoms. It is common to have a complicated situation in which other diseases or conditions occur alongside the FeLV infection.
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Signs Of Arthritis In Cats
Cat arthritis can slow your cat down. Learn about the signs of arthritis in cats and treatment options available to your feline.
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How Does A Cat Become Infected With Felv
The virus is found in saliva, urine and other secretions of infected cats. Although the kittens of infected pregnant females often die before birth, any surviving will be infected. Otherwise, it is spread by licking or biting, or by sharing food bowls or litter trays. Close contact is needed, as the virus does not easily survive in the environment. Kittens are more susceptible to the virus than older cats, as the bodys resistance to FeLV rises with age. Cats aged above six months are relatively but not absolutely resistant, and infection of older cats can occur.
In some rare instances, apparently uninfected mothers can infect their offspring. It is thought that these mothers may have a localised infection confined to the mammary gland, which then passes into the milk.
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Signs Of Felv Infection
Immunosuppression is the single biggest cause of clinical signs in FeLV infected cats. Typically a variety of chronic and/or recurrent diseases develop in these cats, with progressive deterioration in their condition over time. These features all suggest a progressive deterioration in the cats immune response and ability to deal with other diseases or infections. Clinical signs are extremely diverse but include fever, lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, and persistent or recurrent respiratory, skin and intestinal problems.
Anaemia and neoplasia are also seen commonly with FeLV, with a variety of clinical signs arising from these conditions too.
Detection Of Intracellular Gag Protein Using The Immunofluorescence Assay
The first method that allowed FeLV detection in progressively infected cats under field conditions was the indirect IFA, introduced in 1973 . It was based on the observation that granulocytes, lymphocytes, and platelets in progressively infected cats contain gag components, which may be detected by IFA in blood smears. Thus, it becomes positive later than the ELISA and only in the phase of the second viraemia, when bone marrow cells are infected. The diagnostic sensitivity of IFA is significantly less than that of the ELISA . If a progressively infected cat has leukopenia or if only a small percentage of peripheral leukocytes are infected, the presence of FeLV infection may be overlooked using IFA tests. Furthermore, all eosinophils have a tendency to bind the FITC conjugates used for IFA resulting in false positive tests if slides are not read carefully .
| A) |
| B) |
Fig. 14. A) The principle of an immunofluorescence assay for antigen detection in cells ©Hans Lutz B) Immunofluorescence test on a blood smear ©Diane Addie
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What Is The Treatment For Cat Leukemia
There is no definitive cure for FeLV however, with the right care, cats with the disease can live relatively long periods without feeling ill. Still, it’s important that your cat stays under the close supervision of a vet who can promptly head off any problems, such as complications from secondary infections, to ensure they stay as healthy as possible. Twice yearly vet examinations are recommended, which may include annual or biannual blood or urine tests.
As FeLV can be easily spread to other cats, it’s crucial that pets who are infected stay strictly indoors, ideally in a home where they’re the only cat. Cats with FeLV may be more affected by stressful environments. Providing indoor enrichment, such as adding toys or new elements to their play space, can help reduce stress. Also, consider having a vet come to your home to suggest ways you can make the space more soothing for a cat with FeLV.
Because they have a weakened immune system, cats with FeLV should not be fed raw food, but instead a complete and balanced dry and/or canned food.
What Happens When A Cat Picks Up Feline Leukemia Infection
Exposure to FeLV does not necessarily cause serious problems. There are three main types of reactions to the virus.
- Some cats are able to eliminate the virus effectively via their own immune reaction, and will subsequently be immune to the disease.
- Other cats are able to contain the infection, but not to eliminate it completely: these cats remain healthy and do not shed the virus.
- Other cats are unable to deal with the virus effectively, developing a persistent infection, with the virus constantly circulating in their blood , and they are very likely to go on to develop FeLV related disease. This is the main group of concern.
A small number of cats develop in-between immune responses, not fitting neatly into any of the three categories above.
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How Is Felv Diagnosed In Cats
There are several tests that can determine whether a cat is infected with FeLV. One test called ELISA looks for the virus in the blood. This test will determine whether the cat has the virus but not at what stage. Its possible to test positive on this test and find that the virus hasnt infected the bone marrow. This means that the cat could still fight the virus off themselves.
Be aware though that false positives and negatives are common. As such, if positive, a second test will usually be completed about twelve weeks after the first.