Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV) is the ominous agent of a complex of diseases. In recent years, FELV had been incriminated for causing many different syndromes.
It is directly related to various forms of cancer including Leukemia. Indirectly it plays an important role in respiratory disease, reproductive failure, feline infections peritonitis (FIP), panleukopenia syndrome, and fading kittens syndrome.
These associated diseases can take root in your cat's system when FELV has weakened that system suppressing the immune response. All cats are susceptible although not all contract the diseases. About 1/3 reject the virus and remain healthy. Others cannot and if the infection persists will eventually become ill. Another third of the cat population neither reject the virus nor develop any disease. These latent carriers spread the virus to other cats they may come in contact with. It is very possible for your cat to carry FELV deep in its bone marrow without becoming sick until its immune system is compromised for any reason, by disease or just old age. Then the virus manifests itself in any of the ways listed above.
Kittens and older cats are most susceptible to FELV but in any cat the FELV disease complex is generally fatal.
Our only defense is through prevention.
As close contact is needed to transmit the virus between cats,
any cat in a multi-cat household or that goes outside should
be vaccinated. This vaccine developed by Norden Labs was introduced
to the market a few years ago. The initial immunization requires
a series of three shots, then annually to keep up to date.
We can also test your cat for exposure to FELV. A positive result
means just that - it has been exposed to FELV. Your cat may still
clear its system of the infection or it may persist. Repeated
testing would help us distinguish between the two conditions.
However, it is safe to vaccinate your cat without any testing.
If it has already been exposed to the virus or even a carrier,
the vaccine will not do any harm, although it won't fully protect
either. The vaccine should help protect against the cancer-forming
agents of FELV. In general, we recommend vaccinating any cats
that are at risk.
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West County Animal Clinic Ballwin, MO (314) 227-3505 |
