Feline Leukemia

If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably heard of feline leukemia. Maybe you don’t worry about it too much since your pet has been vaccinated against the disease. You might want to take a closer look.

Feline leukemia is actually caused by a virus called FeLV. It is highly contagious, spreading from cat to cat by way of body fluids. When an infected cat uses a litter box, shares food and water bowls, or bites and licks another cat, it’s leaving behind traces of the virus. An infected mother cat can pass the virus to her kittens before they are born or through her milk as they nurse. Fortunately, the virus is short-lived on dry surfaces, with an average lifespan of only two hours. On damp surfaces, however, FeLV can survive up to two days.

Amazingly, the virus is believed to be over ten million years old, and it has most certainly evolved and mutated over time. It attacks several members of the cat family, including lynxes, cheetahs, lions and, of course, the domesticated cats represented by our pets. The virus is not transferred to humans or dogs.

Many adult cats, over one-third in fact, produce antibodies to make them resistant to infection, but kittens generally do not acquire the necessary immunity until they reach about eight months of age. In addition to kittens, any cat that comes in close contact with a lot of other felines is more susceptible to infection than cats that live inside with only one or two other pet felines.

Once a cat is exposed to the disease, several scenarios can occur. Almost half of the adult cats’ immune system will kill the virus quickly. About 16% will fight the virus without ever becoming very ill, and in about 20% of exposed cats, the FeLV will lurk in the cat’s body, waiting until the animal is stressed in some way before it rears its ugly head. The virus generally incubates in the cat’s body for 16 to 18 weeks before symptoms occur.

Symptoms of feline leukemia

Symptoms are not usually evident until the infection has progressed. Even then they are often non-specific and might include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, frequent infections, skin conditions and even pupils that are unevenly dilated.

The virus attacks and weakens a cat’s immune system, making the cat vulnerable to a host of other infections. So it’s not the FeLV itself that proves so dangerous. An infected cat might die of a secondary infection like pneumonia or Feline Infectious Anemia. Even a simple cut can become a major event in an infected cat with immunosuppression. Sadly, almost 30% of cats infected with FeLV will eventually die from illness.

Prevention for feline leukemia

The best step to take in preventing feline leukemia is prevention. Vaccines are available, though none of them are completely effective. Some even have serious side effects like tumors at the injection site. The newer live-virus vaccine, however, is safer, with fewer side effects. Some cat owners might worry about the live virus initiating an infection in their pet; however, the vaccine virus is cultivated from birds and cannot thrive in felines. Other methods of prevention include keeping kittens inside for their first few months of life so that they will have time to create antibodies before being exposed to other cats. An infected cat should be kept inside, away from healthy cats.

Surfaces the infected cat has come in contact with should be disinfected with a solution of four ounces of bleach to one gallon of water, including bowls, bedding, and even floors.

Feline leukemia treatments

Treatment for sick cats might include antibiotics, steroids, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and drugs like interferon and immunoregulin that target the immune system. In some cases, good support like rest, proper nutrition, and vitamins and supplements might be all a cat with a strong immune system needs to combat the illness. Your vet will know the best treatment for your specific case.

Other than prevention, the best way to avoid a deadly outcome for your pet is to observe it closely on a regular basis. Pay attention to her feeding habits and any loss of energy. While she’s in your lap, examine her skin and feel for swollen lymph nodes. Look at her pupils. If you suspect Feline Leukemia, get her to the vet as soon as possible. The earlier treatment begins, the better your cat’s chances for a recovery will be.