FELV is a retrovirus considered to be the most common cause of serious illness and death in domestic cats. It causes a breakdown in your cat's immune system causing your cat to become susceptible to many diseases which it might otherwise be able to fight off. These cats CAN and DO live long and normal lives. The leading cause of death amongst these cats in non regenerative anemia, high quality diet combined with LOW stress can help to avoid this.
Spread:
FELV is typically spread when the saliva of an infected cat comes into contact with another cat. This can occur from mutual licking and grooming, shared food/water dishes, and litter boxes. Exposure to FELV does not always lead to infection. Prolonged, extensive cat-to-cat contact is required for efficient spread, because the virus is rapidly inactivated by warmth and drying.
Possible Signs:
anemia, depression, jaundice, weight loss, decreased appetite, diarrhea or constipation, blood in the stool, enlarged lymph nodes, respiratory distress. decreased stamina, excessive drinking and urination, chronic colds, pneumonia, skin and mouth soars.
Cure:
As of yet there is no cure for FELV.
Vaccines:
The FELV vaccines are as safe as other commonly used feline vaccines. As with any vaccine in animals or humans, some reaction to the vaccine may occur in a relatively small number of vaccinations. Vaccinations should start at 9-10wks. of age and the second dose should be given 3-4wks. later. Your cat then should receive an annual revaccination ("booster),
EFFECTIVENESS: Please remember that no vaccine is 100% effective.
Unfortunately a small percentage of FELV-vaccinated
cats will not be protected against exposure to FELV.
Prevention:
Be sure to have your cat(s) tested. There are currently 2 types of FELV tests in common use. These tests are: ELISA, a kit test which can be performed in your vet's office and the IFA, also called the HARDY test or SLIDE test - this must be sent out to a diagnostic lab for testing.
Cleaning:
FELV is considerably unstable and will not survive outside an infected cat for an extended length of time. It is recommended to wait 30 days before bringing a new cat into an environment where there once was a FELV positive cat. Thoroughly disinfect or replace food/water dishes, litter pans, and bedding that were used by the infected cat. Tile or hard surfaced floors should be cleaned and disinfected with a diluted beach solution. (approx. 4oz. household bleach to 1gal. water). Thoroughly vaccume rugs to elimate the virus from carpeting. These plus the 30day quarantine should be sufficiant to eliminate the virus within the household.
Kittens & Pregnant Cats:
FELV is transmitted from the mother to her kittens either in utero or after birth. A very high percentage of kittens born to infected mothers will eventually succumb to an FELV infection or an FELV related disease.
Euthanasia:
The idea of euthanizing a positive cat is one that must be addressed in each individual case, in consultation with the attending vet. Euthanasia is NOT necassary to control the transmission of the virus as long as your cat stays indoors and away from all FELV negative cats.
Other Illnesses
Feline AIDs
Feline Distemper
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
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Some of the proceding has been adapted from the Cornell Feline Health Center's Information on Feline Leukemia Virus and other veterinary resources.
It is presented for informational use only.
Please see your veterinarian if you suspect any illnesses in your pet(s).