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JULY NEWSLETTER

What is feline leukemia virus?

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a common viral infection in cats, transmitted primarily through close social contact. It is mostly shed in saliva – so cats transmit it through sharing water and food dishes, grooming each other, bite wounds, and even using the same litterbox. The virus is also shed in blood, urine, feces, milk, and nasal secretions. Pregnant mothers who are infected also run the risk of transmitting the virus to her kittens.

There are no specific clinical signs of FeLV infection, but it can lead to several types of syndromes, including certain cancers, neurologic disease, blood disease, and immunosuppressive disorders. Because this virus impacts so many body systems which can results in a variety of clinical signs, your veterinary team may request testing for FeLV if you cat is ill and is not responding to treatment.

What is feline immunodeficiency virus?

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a virus that is spread through bite wounds from an infected cat. The virus attacks the immune system, leaving an infected cat susceptible to many bacterial, viral, protozoal, and fungal infections. On rare occasions, an infected mother might transmit the virus to her kittens.

Similar to FeLV, there are no specific clinical signs associated with FIV. Some cats that are infected go on to life semi-normal lives; others experience chronic illness from being immunosuppressed.

Diagnosis

You may have heard of a “Combo Test” – this tests for FeLV and FIV in-house. You can get results in about 10 minutes.

Treatment and Prevention of FeLV and FIV

Unfortunately, there is no cure for FeLV or FIV.  Prevention is key. First, it is crucial to test all cats and kittens for FeLV and FIV. If a cat tests positive, is important to keep them separate from healthy cats, especially not allowing infected cats to remain as “strays” or outdoor cats, as this can contribute to the advancing epidemic.

Finally, there is a vaccine for FeLV. It is given after a cat or kitten tests negative. The vaccination protocol is a series of two vaccines 3-4 weeks apart, and then annually.

FeLV and FIV are complicated diseases, so please feel free to reach out to a veterinary professional with questions.