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Feline Leukemia Virus

by Victoria Ries

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is the number one killer of cats across the globe. FeLV kills more cats that any other disease and even though vaccine is available, this virus still remains prevalent as the vaccine isn’t one hundred percent effective in preventing the transmission of FeLV. Highly contagious, FeLV is transmitted through contact with infected feces and urine, grooming tools, feed and water dishes, and through casual contact with infected cats through the saliva when sneezing, blood and mucus. FeLV may also be transmitted from an infected pregnant mother to her kittens.

FeLV gains entry to the cat’s body through mucus membranes or saliva where it multiplies within the lymphatic tissues. Cats with good immune systems may be able to fight off the killer disease at this stage of the virus. Cats without good immune systems to combat the effects of FeLV are unable to stop the virus from proceeding to the next stage of attack when it enters the bone marrow.  The bone marrow is where red and white blood cells are made by the cat’s body. The virus may remain resident in the bone marrow for an uncertain amount of time before it begins to attack other elements of the immune system.

Ensure your cat receives a yearly Feline Leukemia shot along with others he may need depending on the area in which you live. Cats cannot contract the virus from receiving the vaccine for this disease. Cats that haven’t been vaccinated against this disease have a forty percent chance of being immune to Feline Leukemia.

Research indicates that eighty-three percent of cats infected with FeLV will live no longer than four years. Two tests can be performed by your veterinarian to detect FeLV in your cat; they are the ELISA test and the IFA test. The ELISA test is a color change test to detect FeLV. Veterinarians usually perform one of these tests to determine whether cats suspected of having the virus test positive before vaccinating against FeLV. Distinct color changes in the blood means the cat has tested positive; testing the cat a second time to ensure accuracy is normal procedure, however positive testing does not mean the cat has contracted Feline Leukemia, but is at risk for contracting leukemia and other diseases such as lymphoma. A slight color change on testing using the ELISA test means the cat is positive although the virus is showing little activity.