Feline leukemia is an infectious disease with similarities to IVF. Caused by a virus, it affects the immune system of the animal but it is not an autoimmune disease such as AIDS cat and, unlike it, it can be prevented by a vaccine. This prevention is essential because there is currently no cure for leukosis.
How is leukosis transmitted?
The feline leucomogenous virus (FeLV) responsible for leukosis is only contagious between cats and is transmitted by contact with a contaminated animal. The possibilities of transmission are many: blood, saliva, tears, urine, excrement, intrauterine contagion if the mother is carrying the virus. It mainly concerns cats who go out, because they meet congener with whom they risk to fight, to lick, etc.
On the other hand, the leucomogenous virus is not very resistant in the external environment and most of the classic disinfectants make it possible to eliminate it. Thus the risk of contamination in a veterinary practice is almost nil, and relatively rare in the collective structures subject to sufficient hygiene standards. As for IVF, a cat can carry the virus and transmit it to his peers without ever presenting the symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of feline leukemia
As mentioned above, a cat infected with leucosis can remain asymptomatic for years, if not all of its life. But once the disease is declared, there are repeated infections (coryza, gingivitis, toxoplasmosis…) due to immunodepression (destruction of immune defenses).
Other serious conditions may include leukemia, tumors and lymphomas (cancer of the lymphatic system). Autoimmune diseases (anemia, uveitis) can also occur as well as degenerative diseases of the spinal cord (leukopenia). In all cases, the animal will be weakened or even slaughtered and may have a loss of appetite, weight loss, a decline in his general health that should lead to carry out a screening in the veterinarian.
Treatment of feline leukemia
To diagnose feline leukemia, the practitioner will perform a blood test under the microscope to detect the presence of the leucomogen. If the cat is affected, it is unfortunately impossible to eradicate the virus but treatments are possible to relieve it by helping to strengthen its immune system. In parallel, treatments can be offered against secondary diseases due to the decrease of immunity, and thus prolong its life expectancy.
Antiviral therapy exists to reduce the copy rate of the virus in the blood, however, the side effects can be serious in the cat and it is therefore little practiced. An adapted and good quality diet can help the animal to live better with the virus, avoiding certain foods such as raw meat that can transmit parasites and bacteria. Regular treatment against external and internal parasites (digestive tract) is also necessary to reduce the risk of secondary conditions. A vaccination followed against the main diseases of the cat (coryza, typhus…) is essential.
Prevention of feline leucosis
If your cat has access to the outside, it is crucial to have it vaccinated against FeLV to prevent it from being contaminated by potentially affected congeners. The first vaccination can take place from the age of 8 weeks. This is a fairly effective vaccine with a protection level of about 90% and completely devoid of side effects. If you are collecting an adult cat that has never been protected, it is highly recommended to have a vet check and it is never too late to vaccinate.
Similarly, any new animal in the household should be screened and vaccinated before being introduced to its congeners. In case of accidental contact with a potentially infected cat, have a screening done at least 30 days later, otherwise the test will not be interpretable. The leukosis vaccine is often offered at the same time as other vaccines and must be renewed every year to maintain effective protection.
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