Feline leukemia is one of the most serious infectious diseases of cats.  The disease is caused by a virus belonging to a large family of viruses called retroviruses.  Retroviruses are able to incorporate their genetic material into the host’s DNA, allowing the virus to survive long-term in the host.  Once in the host, the viral DNA can cause several problems, including transformation of normal cells into malignant cancer cells, and/or disruption of normal cellular functions.  The virus will often affect a cat’s bone marrow, causing it to cease production of red blood cells.  Felix, unfortunately, was being affected in this way.  The virus was preventing her bone marrow from replenishing her bloodstream with new red blood cells, and she was severely anemic as a result.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel regularly publish reports that advise veterinarians on proper procedures for feline retrovirus testing and management.  In their report, the panel lists the circumstances under which cats should be tested for the feline leukemia virus.  The report states that cats, when they are about to be adopted, regardless of age, should be tested for the virus.  It is especially important if the adopted cat is to be introduced into a multiple-cat household, to prevent exposing resident cats to the virus.  It is also important, however, to test cats even if they are to be the only cats in the household, for a number of reasons:  cats intended to be housed exclusively indoors may escape and expose other cats; additional cats may join the household; and, as Felix clearly demonstrated, feline leukemia virus infection may have future health ramifications even if the cats do not presently have any signs of disease. 

Although some cats infected with the feline leukemia virus may live for many years, the course of the disease differs from cat to cat, depending on the age, overall immune status of the cat, and the specific strain of the infecting virus.  Once a cat begins showing symptoms of being ill from the virus, treatment is often futile.  There is no conclusive evidence from controlled studies showing that immune system modulators or alternative medications have any positive beneficial effects on the health or longevity of feline leukemia virus infected cats with clinical signs of illness.  Cats rapidly deteriorate and ultimately die from this disease.

 Katzen tests for FLV all cats tested negative. We are a FLV free cattery.

 

This information does not replace Veterinary advice nor care. If in question please see your Veterinarian.