feline leukemia is a particularly serious infectious-contagious disease and caused by the FeLV virus or feline leukemia virus, which generates in the animal a serious picture of inhibition of one or more components of the immune system, severe anemia and even the development of malignant tumors. All this causes the cat's defenses to lower and it runs a greater risk of contracting all kinds of infections and complications.
On our site we want to talk in detail about leukemia in cats as it is one of the most widespread pathologies with a guarded prognosis. Below we will explain what feline leukemia really is, how it is spread and what the most common symptoms are. Likewise, we will talk about the diagnosis, the veterinary treatment and the preventive measures that we can follow to protect our cats.
Feline leukemia virus
Feline leukemia is a disease caused by the feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a retrovirus that belongs to thefamily Oncovirinae . Oncoviruses cause various immunological, degenerative and even proliferative conditions. They can be endogenous or exogenous. In this second case, they are capable of replicating when FeLV transmission occurs, such as the feline sarcoma virus (FeSV), a type of malignant tumor that occurs in soft tissues. Within FeLV we found four subgroups , however, practically all infected felines have been infected by FeLV-A. Briefly, they are characterized by:
- FeLV-A: it is the original form of the virus, although mutated forms can develop.
- FeLV-B: predisposes the feline to suffer from neoplasms (abnormal tissue growth).
- FeLV-C: associated with the development of erythroid hypoplasia and severe anemia.
- FeLV-T: predisposes to infection and destruction of T lymphocytes.
The subgroups can be detected through the different diagnostic tests that we will mention later in their specific section. Next we will talk about contagion.
How is leukemia spread in cats?
The feline leukemia virus is spread mainly during a cat's pregnancy, in utero and during lactation, but also through body fluids, such as saliva, urine, blood, or nasal secretions. Mutual grooming, using the same litter box or food bowls, as well as fights that cause bleeding external wounds, expose he althy cats to the virus.
All cats are susceptible to contracting the feline leukemia virus, however, puppies and young cats are the most vulnerable to it, especially when we talk about domestic cats that have access to the outside, mainly unneutered males or those suffering from other conditions (such as respiratory, oral and abscess diseases) or from homeless cats, such as abandoned cats and feral cats. Thus, leukemia in cats is contagious and especially serious, so it is very important to prevent it and take the appropriate measures to prevent our feline from contracting it.
Does feline leukemia spread to humans?
One of the biggest concerns of guardians is whether cat leukemia is contagious to humans. Studies have used various strains of FeLV to culture them in human tissues and demonstrate whether or not there was a potential risk of transmission to people. At the moment, studies indicate that there are no risks to people and there are no known cases that can demonstrate that it is a zoonotic disease.
Feline Leukemia Symptoms
The symptoms of leukemia in cats are especially varied and depend, to a large extent, on the state of each individual. It is common to observe several he alth problems at the same time, difficulties in overcoming them and, progressively, the state of he alth in general worsens. The most common clinical signs are:
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Anemia.
- Anorexy.
- Lethargy.
- Drowsiness.
- Weightloss.
- Seizures.
- Skin lesions.
- Kidney, respiratory or gastrointestinal problems.
- Weakness.
- Neoplasms.
- Diarrhea.
- Swelling of the lymph nodes.
- Stomatitis and gingivitis.
- Bacterial and viral infections.
- Jaundice.
- Hair in poor condition.
- Lack of cleanliness.
- Elimination outside the sandbox.
- Hypothermia.
- Pain.
- Teeth loss.
- Dehydration.
Feline leukemia stages
When the feline leukemia virus comes into contact with the cat's immune system, two situations can occur. On the one hand, if the cat is immunocompetent, he will be able to completely eliminate the virus, which will not spread throughout his body. But when the cat is not immunocompetent, the virus will be able to replicate and spread, so we can find different cases:
- Primary Viremia: The cat shows signs of the disease and is contagious to other cats. It is a phase in which you can stay up to a year.
- Transient viraemic: After the primary viremia stage there is a chance that the cat will shed the virus before it reaches the bone marrow. They are cats that manage to develop an immune response that protects them, but not for life, which is why it is recommended to vaccinate them once a year.
- Persistent viraemic or secondary viremia: in this case, cats cannot eliminate the virus, which reaches the bone marrow, circulates throughout the body and can be maintained for years. There are peak levels of the virus in the blood.
- Latent carrier in bone marrow: when the virus reaches the bone marrow it can disappear from the blood, but it will still be present in the body of the patient. cat. At this stage it is infectious, but the infection, now latent, could be reactivated in situations of high stress or immunosuppression. Fortunately, the longer the latency, the less likely the virus will reactivate. This is why dormancy is considered a method of virus removal. In any case, clinical signs can be detected.
- Discordant cats: finally, there are cats where the virus is neither in the blood nor in the marrow, but is localized in organs where it can replicate intermittently or remain dormant.
Diseases of cats with leukemia
As we have explained to you, cats suffering from the feline leukemia virus are susceptible to various diseases and conditions. Some of the most common are:
- Anemia.
- Medianistic, multicentric or spinal lymphoma.
- Fibrosarcoma.
- Multiple cartilaginous exostosis.
- Ulcerative proliferative gingivostomatitis.
- Lymphoid leukemia.
- Progressive infections.
- Immunosupression.
- Immunodeficiency.
- Oncogenicity.
- Systemic vasculitis.
- Glomerulonephritis.
- Polyarthritis.
- Reabsorption and fetal death.
- Placental involution.
- Abortion.
- Bacterial endometritis.
- Faded Kitten Syndrome.
- Enteritis.
- Peripheral neuropathy.
- Urinary incontinence.
- Anisocoria.
- Mydriasis.
- Horner's syndrome.
- Nervous dysfunction.
- Blindness.
- Stomatitis.
- Feline calcivirus.
Diagnosis of leukemia in cats
If you have observed one or more of the clinical signs mentioned above, you should Go to your veterinarian to confirm the disease. It can be done in a few minutes in the clinic using the feline leukemia test, which only requires a few drops of blood. It is usual for the specialist to recommend carrying out this test after adopting a cat, before vaccinating it, if it has been exposed to the virus or if it presents any abnormal symptoms. Other tests that may be done include:
- ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): Typical in veterinary clinics. A blood sample is collected from the cat and detected for the presence of antigens. After several weeks, the result must be confirmed, since it is not known whether the infection is temporary or permanent.
- PCR (polymerase chain reaction): detects virus DNA in infected cells, either in blood samples or tissues. It can detect latent infections, but it is not as accessible as the ELISA.
- IFA (direct immunofluorescence): it is not useful to detect early stages of the disease, but it is useful to confirm ELISA positives. Detects the presence of antigen in infected cells.
It is possible that, after carrying out the test, the veterinarian may suggest repeat it after 30 days, if it has been negative but there is suspicion of the presence of the disease. In addition, if our feline has access to the outside, it is advisable to test it annually. If the test is positive, additional tests may be requested.
How to cure leukemia in cats? - Treatment
It is very important to note that feline leukemia has no cure However, depending on the stage of the disease you are in your cat, you may be able to lead a good life if you receive regular veterinary care and whatever treatment the professional deems appropriate. This may include the administration of antivirals and immunoregulators, which will help the feline obtain some protection against secondary infections.
You will also need to offer good care, such as a specific diet, wellness, stress reduction, and all the veterinary care you need the first time. disease sign. In the case of wanting to complement the prescribed treatment with another natural one, such as vitamins for cats with leukemia, we will always consult with the specialist.
On the other hand, we must take certain precautions to prevent our cat from infecting others. The vet will suggest that we keep it indoors to reduce the risk of spread and, in addition, will assess castration to avoid escapism derived from sexual behavior.
How to prevent feline leukemia?
Given the potential seriousness of feline leukemia, much better than treating it is preventing our cat from contracting it. To do this, the main thing is to test each new cat that arrives at the home to avoid mixing he althy animals with sick ones and to minimize the stress of our feline. To do this, proper management must be provided and environmental enrichment measures implemented. In addition, there is another essential recommendation: the vaccine.
Feline leukemia vaccine
There is a feline leukemia vaccine that can be administered by your veterinarian as part of your cat's vaccination schedule. It should be noted that this vaccine is not suitable for cats that are already infected, so before giving it you have to make sure that it does not have the disease by carrying out a detection test.
Life expectancy of a cat with feline leukemia
How long does a cat with feline leukemia live? The prognosis of leukemia in cats is guarded. High mortality generally occurs. However, we can offer them a good quality of life for months and even years In some cases cats seem he althy for quite some time, especially in adult individuals. On the contrary, the pathology develops very quickly in puppies.
