FeLV is an acronym for Feline Leukemia Virus, a terminal illness affecting all members of the cat family including domestic house pets. Unlike leukemia that affects humans, FeLV is a contagious virus that is spread through cat to cat contact.
This condition affects the cat’s immune system by causing an increase of leukocytes, a type of cell found in the blood stream, lymph nodes and other blood forming tissues of the body which are critical in fighting infections. Because it is a disease of the immune system, the symptoms may be different for each individual cat.
The most common symptoms of this condition include enlarged nymph nodes making eating and drinking very difficult, anemia, tumors, lethargy, abscesses, weight loss, coughing and sneezing. FeLV is a terminal illness and the cause of death can be anything from pneumonia to cancer as a result of the cat’s inability to fight infection.
FeLV is spread from cat to cat through the transfer of body fluids, mainly saliva or urine and feces as a result of sharing litter boxes. Domestic cats that are allowed outdoors are more likely to contract this condition because they are more likely to come in contact with infected cats. Cats that live in areas with large populations of feral or stray cats are more prone to becoming infected. It quickly travels through feral cat colonies due to competition and territorial fighting over food and mating.
The rate at which symptoms appear after a cat is infected also varies among individual cats. Some cats will get very sick almost immediately upon contracting the virus. In other cats the virus can lay dormant for years. Sometimes an infected cat will never fall ill and be able to live an average lifespan. However, whether or not the cat ever shows symptoms it is still able to spread the virus to other cats.
This condition is usually diagnosed by blood tests performed by veterinarians. This is currently the only way to diagnose the disease and still it is not 100% reliable. Blood tests often show false negative and weak positive results. However a blood test that shows a strong presence of this condition is rarely wrong.
Currently there is no cure for FeLV. In early stages of the disease the cat’s symptoms can be treated helping to prolong the cat’s life. It is possible that an early diagnosis can allow the cat to live a normal life with consistent treatment. Fortunately, there is a vaccine for this condition.
The vaccine is given to kittens as early as six weeks and adults upon testing negative for the virus. After the first dose of the vaccine, a booster shot is given 3 weeks later. After the initial immunizations, the vaccine needs to be updated annually to ensure effectiveness. Having your cat vaccinated is a good idea if your pet is going to be allowed outdoors. The vaccine is extremely important if you have more than one cat and one of them is found to be infected with FeLV.
Researchers are working diligently to find a cure as well as to eradicate feline leukemia virus not only for domestic cat lovers but for the wild members of the cat family also. FeLV can be transmitted from domestic to wild cats and vice versa, making it extremely hazardous for endangered cat populations. As such even though cats can possibly outlive their disease, animal shelters routinely test every cat in their possession and euthanize those that are infected. Stray cat colonies are also sampled and those where FeLV is endemic are captured and destroyed to prevent further transmission of the disease.