(Editor's note: Volunteering with the Athens County Humane Society (ACHS), I have seen a lot of strays in need of foster or permanent homes. I recently took in a beautiful, friendly tabby that was abandoned on N. Lancaster St. I took him to the vet and was informed that “Tommy” has feline leukemia. Tommy was at least the sixth cat to be diagnosed with FeLV last month.)
By Kylie Whittaker
A positive feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (feline AIDS or FIV) test is any cat owner’s worst nightmare. Much like human AIDS, FeLV and FIV suppresses the immune system of a cat and can lead to many other health problems such as disease, infection, and cancer.
According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, three percent of all cats in the U.S. are infected with this virus. FeLV and FIV are spread by infected cats through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, milk, and mutual grooming. Transfer of the virus can also occur between cats that share a litter box and saliva transfer from a bite wound. An infected mother cat can transfer the virus to her kittens during pregnancy or while nursing.
There are two stages of FeLV.
-Primary Viremia is the early stage of the virus. Some cats can have an effective immune response removing the virus from their blood stream and halting progression to the secondary viremia stage.
-Secondary Viremia is the later stage that is said to be the point of no return. At this point, infection of bone marrow and other tissue will begin. If FeLV progresses to this point, the cat will most likely have the disease for the remainder of their life.
(www.vet.cornell.edu)
The disease varies but seems to be most common in cats under 2-years-old. Symptoms include inflammation of gums and mouth, reoccurring respiratory problems such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and coughing, digestive or skin disorders, and tumors.
Within the first months of contracting the virus, your cat may not show any signs or symptoms. This is why it is very important to pay attention to any changes in your cat’s behavior. Some signs to watch for include a loss of appetite, slow weight loss, poor coat condition, enlarged lymph nodes, eye conditions, seizures, behavioral changes, diarrhea, or persistent fever. If you notice any of these behaviors or symptoms in your cat, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have the cat tested. Two types of blood tests are commonly used to detect a protein component of the virus.
-ELISA can be performed at your vet’s office. This type of test detects both stages FeLV.
- IFA tests must be sent to a diagnostic lab and test for secondary viremia only.
(www.lbah.com/feline/felv.html)
In the unfortunate event that your cat has positive test results and is diagnosed with FeLV or FIV, there are many things you can do to improve the health and prolong the life of your companion.
-Keep your cat indoors. Since your cat’s immune system will be much weaker, keeping them inside will prevent their exposure to bacteria and infections. It will also prevent them from spreading the virus to other cats in the neighborhood.
- Feed them a balanced and nutritious diet.
- Avoid uncooked foods like raw meat and other foods that have high bacteria and parasitic levels.
- See your vet frequently. It is important to monitor the status of your cat’s condition and make sure the virus is not progressing.
(www.felineleukemia.org)
Under good care, cats with FeLV or FIV can remain in good health for as many as months to multiple years.
It is very important to take every precaution in preventing FeLV and FIV in negative testing cats, especially if they have been in an environment where they could have been exposed to the virus. The best way to protect your cat is to prevent their exposure. You can do this by keeping your cat indoors. If you have an outdoor cat, provide a secured area that prevents the cat from wandering, and talk to your vet about the FeLV prevention vaccination. If you have an infected cat and an infection free cat, keep them separated. Do not allow them to share food and water dishes or a litter box.
If you haven’t already tested your outdoor cat for FeLV, consider contacting your vet. Be on the lookout for behavioral changes and symptoms. As mentioned before, avoiding exposure is the only sure way to prevent the virus from spreading, so take every precaution in keeping your cat safe.
If you have any questions, feel free to email ACHS at info@athenshumane.org.
