Feline Leukemia
There's a lot of confusion on
exactly what Feline Leukemia is and what available treatments may
exist. Feline leukemia virus is a type retrovirus that impacts the
immune system. Without getting too technical, this means that your
cat becomes very susceptible to almost any serious illness.
Similar to the human HIV, there
are treatments available but the best that can be expected is to
prolong their life since there is no known cure. Cats that are
found to have Feline Leukemia have a greater chance of cancer and blood disorders.
It also weakens the immune system to the point that cats can be
effected by bacteria and other medical maladies that would not be
possible with a normal immune system.
This disease is spread by other
infected cats. The virus can be spread through the saliva, and
other bodily fluids. Kittens are much more susceptible although
older cats are also over long periods of exposure. Cat bites from
infected cats (due to the saliva) is probably the most common
method of infection. An infected mother cat can also pass this
virus on to unborn kittens or through nursing their kittens. Most
experts agree that young kittens are much more likely to catch the
virus.
One of the problems is that early
detection of this virus is difficult since most cats that are
infected don't show any symptoms early on and that's why many Vets
recommend testing often, especially new kittens. There are
symptoms (see below) but they only develop weeks or months after
the cat is infected.
If you have an indoor cat that
rarely comes into contact with other cats, especially cats that
are outdoor cats, the chances if becoming infected are very slim.
This is probably one of the best reasons to keep your cat inside
or always supervised if outdoors. The latest figures show that
less than 3% of adult cats are infected.
This is also one of the most
abused testing by Vets. Almost all Vets suggest you give any cat a
Feline Leukemia test when you get annual vaccinations. If you cat
has no symptoms (see below) then there is no good reason to test.
Feline Leukemia Symptoms
Many of the Feline Leukemia symptoms are common
to several illnesses but here are a few to watch for:
- Slow weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Lymph nodes swollen
- Coat appearance
- Frequent infections
- Pale or inflamed gums
- Eye infections or problems
- Frequent diarrhea
Any combination of several
symptoms above warrants a Feline Leukemia test just to rule it
out. Speaking of Feline Leukemia tests, they can be expensive
depending on your Vet. The low end cost here in the Houston area
is $35 but often is much higher. These tests detect a protein component of the virus
in the cat's bloodstream. There are two stages, one is called Primary viremia,
the other Secondary viremia. Your cat has a fairly good chance of
beating the primary stage but the secondary stage is rarely beat.
Additional testing can help in
determining what stage your cat may have after initial testing
shows there is evidence of an infection. The second test only checks
for the more serious Secondary viremia. And most vets recommend
testing again to verify the results since neither test is reliable
due to the complexity.
Feline Leukemia Treatments
Unfortunately
there is no cure for Feline Leukemia so most treatments are based
on healthy foods and managed care. You should also separate any
infected cats and keep it indoors as to not spread the virus. If
other cats have been exposed, they should also get tested.
Most vets recommend no raw food,
high protein and balanced food, and no food that could possibly
have any type of bacteria (like leftovers). You should also
carefully examine your cat often for any signs of infection or
unusual behavior. Keep the cat aware from any sick animals since
their immune system is no longer able to fight any kind of
infections.
Many cats who test positive but
show no physical signs of the virus can live for several years. It
depends a lot on how well you can protect them from possible
infections. This includes exposure to any animal whether it
appears healthy or not since the infected cat has little if any
immune system.
There is currently no scientific
proof that any alternative, immunomodulator, or antiviral medications
can help a cat with Feline Leukemia. Theories exist and there is
ongoing research but none have proved effective so far. So don't
fall victim to some of these claims.
The best way to protect an
uninfected cat is to keep them inside or at least supervise any
outdoor time. Also take care to not expose your cat to any other
cats that do live outdoors. The best defense against Feline
Leukemia is avoidance to infected cats.
Related Articles:
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made under the guidance of your own veterinarian.
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