Cats can contract feline leukemia if subjected to the virus which causes it. It can easily be passed between cats, but it is also preventable. The virus is a severe, permanent illness. Cat owners can take precautions to avoid their pet from contracting the disease.
What Is Feline Leukemia?
Feline leukemia can be a frequent disease in domestic cats, with around 3 percent of all cat breeds in the United States being infected. The disease is caused by the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) which is able to be passed on to cats who have been exposed to cats with the disease. Where Do Birds Go At Night Feline leukemia puts infected cats at the risk of developing anemia, cancer and infections due to an immune system that is weak. There is an uncurable viral disease.
Feline leukemia isn’t easily identifiable by its symptoms since there are many possible symptoms of the illness. Cats who have been diagnosed by the feline leukemia virus might exhibit a variety of signs and symptoms, including weight loss, a lack of appetite, or persistent diarrhea. Because the virus impacts bone marrow of cats, they might also experience anemia and pale mucous membranes or bruises. Other typical signs of feline leukemia include swelling lymph nodes as well as fever, stomatitis and neurological signs such as seizures and changes in behavior. Infected cats do not always have symptoms immediately.
Causes of Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia can be caused by the feline leukemia virus. The virus can be spread to affected cats via their saliva and urine, as well as feces and, if they’re lactating, through their milk as well. In other words, if an infected cat bites , or pet another feline it could spread the virus. It can also be transferred through shared litterboxes as well as water dishes, however it is not able to survive for for long in the natural environment after it has left the affected cat. Furthermore, the infected cat that are pregnant or nursing can transmit the virus to their children.
Diagnosing Feline Leukemia
Since cats with feline leukemia may display a range of symptoms and signs, your vet may suggest checking for the virus in the event that your cat is suffering. A small amount of blood is taken and an enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay (ELISA) is used to identify the virus present in the blood of your cat. This test is performed routinely for healthy kittens as an instrument for screening, but it can also be used when your cat is showing signs.
A second test known as an indirect immunofluorescent test (IFA) is typically used in the event that you find that the ELISA is positive in order to eliminate a false positive. IFA is a more sensitive test. IFA will be more sensitive in the presence of disease that is advanced and can determine the presence of feline leukemia when it’s also positive.
Treatment of Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia is not curable. Cats with the disease may require treatment for symptoms with medication and IV fluids, but there is no long-term cure for this disease. Certain cats could benefit from immune-support supplements such as beta-glucan 1 which is found inside Imuquin as well as other cat products, or other antiviral medications, however, any treatment must be reviewed with your vet to avoid adverse side effects. can cats eat bananas
How to Prevent Feline Leukemia
While there isn’t a cure for pets suffering with feline leukemia There are two methods to prevent cats from contracting the disease. The most effective option for your cat in order to protect it from feline leukemia-related illness is to ensure that it is vaccinated against FeLV.
There are a variety of FeLV vaccines, however that of Nobivac’s feline 2FeLV vaccine — a complete inactivated vaccine has been proven as more efficient than other 2.. It is the FeLV vaccine is regarded as a important vaccine for cats less than one year old. age, so your vet will suggest this vaccine in conjunction with vaccinations that protect against rabies and feline calicivirus as well as feline herpesvirus-1 and feline panleukopenia..
