Feline leukemia virus infection
What is feline leukemia virus infection?
Feline
leukemia virus infection is an infectious disease caused by Feline Leukemia
Virus (FeLV).
It is common in cats and can make cats more prone to other diseases such as lymphoma, or they can become immunosuppressed and show a variety of symptoms.
In addition, cats with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection usually have a shorter life expectancy than healthy cats.
Many infected cats develop blood tumors and immunosuppressive conditions and are said to have a life expectancy of 2 to 4 years.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, along with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection, is a very important infectious disease in cats.
Symptoms of feline leukemia virus infection
Early
symptoms of the feline leukemia virus include fever and swollen lymph nodes Lymph
nodes are places where immune-related cells gather.
At
this time, the cat's immune system works and the virus may be eliminated from
the body.
If
the virus is not eliminated from the body here, it will become a persistent
infection.
In young cats, the virus is difficult to eliminate because the immune system is
not well established.
In
addition, even if the cells such as bone marrow are infected, the virus may not
be released into the blood, which is called latent infection.
At this time, the FeLV test performed in the hospital is negative and not
detected.
If the virus is not eliminated from the body and the infection becomes persistent, symptoms include the following:
Symptoms of feline leukemia virus infection
Lack of appetite
Lack of energy
Weight loss
gums (anemia)
Stomatitis
Diarrhea and vomiting
Miscarriage, stillbirth
These symptoms are caused by immunosuppressive conditions caused by the feline leukemia virus (FeLV), associated secondary infections, bone marrow abnormalities (blood disorders such as anemia), and lymphoma.
Diseases associated with the feline leukemia virus
・Lymphoma
・Aplastic anemia
・Immune-mediated hemolytic
anemia
・Glomerulonephritis
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) also induces an immunosuppressive state, making cats susceptible to opportunistic infections * and other infections such as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and lymphoma caused by feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection may also cause cranial nerve symptoms.
Causes of feline leukemia virus infection
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is mainly transmitted through daily contact with saliva and nasal secretions. Specifically, grooming and sharing utensils with cats infected with the feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
In addition, it can also be transmitted through blood, and it can also be transmitted by biting in a catfight. Although less common, it has also been reported to be transmitted through the placenta or through the milk of an infected mother.
Feline
leukemia virus (FeLV) infects through the routes described above and then
multiplies in the lymph nodes.
From there it spreads throughout the body and affects the bone marrow.
Ultimately, it infects the salivary glands.
Tests for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection include:
Test for feline leukemia virus infection
・FIV/FeLV
test (in-hospital blood test)
・Blood test
・X-ray test
・Ultrasound test
How to prevent feline leukemia virus infection
There
is currently no established cure for the feline leukemia virus. Therefore,
prevention is paramount for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. Complete
avoidance of contact with infected cats is the best prevention.
If
the cats living in the same house are not infected, we will keep them
completely indoors and will not have the opportunity to go outside.
Vaccinate against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) if a domestic cat is infected or has the opportunity or potential to go outdoors.
At that time, if you have not yet been tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, do so. Cats that are already infected cannot be vaccinated and do not need to be vaccinated.
The need for vaccination differs for each cat, depending on whether or not the cats living in the same house are infected, whether they go out, or whether other cats invade from outside.
As for vaccinations, consult with your veterinarian after the examination to make a decision. If you decide to vaccinate, make sure you do so at the right time.
If your cat has a feline leukemia virus infection
There is no fundamental treatment that eliminates the virus from the body once it becomes a persistent infection.
Treatment varies depending on the associated disease.
In
addition, in order to improve the condition of the whole body and prevent
secondary infections, infusion therapy, antibiotics,
etc. are administered.
Depending on the symptoms and conditions, steroids may also be used.
Other drugs, called interferons, may be given for antiviral or immune system effects, but interferons have not been shown to be unequivocally effective. If the anemia progresses, a blood transfusion may be given.
·
As
countermeasures in case, infection is found in multi-cat breeding,
·
Isolate
the infected cat
·
Implementation
of tests on other cats, consideration of vaccination
·
Dishes
(including drinking water), beds, toilets, etc. for infected cats Disinfection
of dishes and environments used by cats that are not shared
or infected
.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is weakly resistant to disinfectants and can be disinfected with 70% ethanol (alcohol), chlorine bleach, detergent, heat treatment, etc.
Also, when you get a new cat, there is a risk that it may be infected with the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), so it is better to isolate it until it is tested and found to be negative. prevent infection of cats.
In
addition, it is said that the probability of immunity from vaccination is about
80 to 90%, and it is not possible to completely prevent infection.