Feline leukemia virus is a deadly disease affecting primarily young outdoor male cats, but any cat can be affected. It can cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and cause the immune system to attack the body's own cells.
Other systems affected include:
- GI system: causes enteritis, which results in vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, and yellow mucus membranes
- Respiratory system: causes rhinitis, pneumonia, difficulty breathing, and fluid in the chest cavity. This is generally seen in cats less than 3 years of age.
- Nervous system: causes unequal pupil size, urinary incontinence, and hind limb paralysis
- Reproductive system: 1 estimates that 68-73% of infertile queens are felv positive. FeLv can cause abortions and fetal death, though occasionally live, infected kittens are born. (Merck and CO., Inc, 2008)
Feline leukemia virus can be diagnosed by two tests. Immunoflouresence assay tests for the presence of antigen in the cytoplasm of cells. The Merck Veterinary Manual considers this the most reliable test, but it must be done at a diagnostic lab. An ELISA is a test that can be performed in the vet clinic, which tests for feline leukemia virus antigen in the blood stream. The downside to this test however, is that false negatives are possible.
There is no cure for feline leukemia virus, but with all of the new advances in veterinary medicine, it is possible for FeLv positive cats to live without major illness for many years. Treatment is largely aimed at preventing complications and treating symptoms. Routine preventative care and diligent monitoring by the owner is extremely important. Since the immune system is not as able to fight off infections, the owner needs to carefully watch the cat for signs of secondary infections such as a loss of appetite, vomiting, or lethargy (Merck and CO., Inc, 2008). If the cat is showing any signs of sickness, the veterinarian should be notified immediately, so these can be addressed and treated. Stressful situations should be avoided as well. The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends not vaccinating the cat for FeLv in the future, as the vaccine will be ineffective, and may cause other unwanted side affects.
With recent advances in veterinary medicine, it is possible to treat a FeLv cat for cancer. 50% of FeLv positive cats with lymphoma go into remission and live an average of six months. 25 % of cats treated for lymphocytic leukemia will also go into remission and live an average of seven months. Usually other forms of leukemia are not treated due to their severity and the condition of the patient (Merck and CO., Inc, 2008).
Works Cited
Merck and CO., Inc. (2008). Feline Leukemia Virus and Related Diseases: Introduction. Retrieved October 16, 2008, from The Merck Veterinary Manual: www.merckvetmanual.com
(1999). Feline Leukemia Virus. In R. C. Nelson, & G. C. Couto, Small Animal Internal Medicine (pp. 817-821). St. Louis: Mobsy, Inc.
