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Viruses are very small, but they
can have enormous repercussions. If a cat becomes
infected with the virus that causes feline leukemia,
he will eventually succumb to the disease.
Symptoms of Feline Leukemia
Infected cats may exhibit weight loss, vomiting,
diarrhea, labored breathing, persistent infections
and anemia. As the disease progresses, it brings
with it cancer of the white blood cells and lymph
system. And since the virus attacks and depresses
a cat's immune system, an animal may get numerous
secondary infections, which account for the deaths
of many cats infected with feline leukemia.
The virus is spread through saliva, mucus, urine,
feces and blood. This means that biting, sneezing,
hissing, mutual grooming and sharing litter boxes
and food and water bowls are all methods of transmission.
It usually requires prolonged close contact between
cats to be transmitted.
If you suspect that your cat has been exposed to
the virus, see your vet immediately. There are two
kinds of blood tests currently being administered.
If a cat tests positive on the first, it is recommended
that he be retested, as false positives are not
uncommon. The second test indicates if the virus
is present in an animal's bone marrow. It is highly
accurate, but only once the disease has progressed.
A cat can show no symptoms and still carry the virus.
For this reason, it's crucial that all the animals
in a multi-cat household are tested, not just the
ones with symptoms.
What To Do When Your Cat Has Feline Leukemia
If your cat tests positive for feline leukemia,
it's crucial that you isolate him from other cats
in the household. If you have allowed him outdoors,
please keep him inside to avoid him transmitting
the virus to other animals. Some cats can live for
years without showing any signs of infection. If
your cat is asymptomatic, feed him a good diet,
keep his environment as stress free as possible,
and treat any infections or illnesses aggressively.
Cats who do show symptoms may experience bouts
of illness between periods of general good health.
Supportive care and pain management is necessary
for cats with full-blown symptoms. Corticosteroids
may temporarily help fight the disease.
Vaccines Are Available for Feline Leukemia Prevention
There is good news, however. A vaccine is available
to protect companion animals against this killer-and
with proper precautions, feline leukemia will pose
no threat to your pet. Ideally, your animal companion
should receive his first vaccination as a kitten,
with a booster 3 to 4 weeks later. From then on
he should be vaccinated annually.
Veterinarians report the vaccine is not 100-percent
effective, and cats still do come down with this
dreaded disease. Although felines who live indoors,
in single-cat households or multiple-cat households
with disease-free companions, are unlikely to be
exposed, unvaccinated cats whose owners let them
outdoors are at a greater risk. Cats who roam can
come into contact with many animals of unknown health.
ANIMED recommends that you keeping your cat indoors
and vaccinated. These are the most important preventive
measures you can take against feline leukemia.
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