FELINE LEUKEMIA

BY: JENNI DERHEIM

FeLV Facts/History

• 1st FeLV case was discovered in 1964 in a cluster of cats with lymphosarcomas

• Major cause of illness and death in the domestic cat

• It is a retrovirus (FIV)• 1-2% of cats have FeLV• More common in males• Kittens are more susceptible

What is Feline Leukemia?

• Cancerous disease caused by feline leukemia virus (FeLV).

• Can cause cancers other than Leukemia

• Causes immunodeficiency• Only felines can carry this virus

3 Types of FeLV:

• FeLV A- occurs in all infected w/FeLV- causes severe weakened immune system

• FeLV B- occurs in about 50% of infected cats- causes neoplastic diseases more than those infected with type A.

• FeLV C- occurs in about 1% of those infected- causes severe anemia

Microscopic view of FeLV

Diagnosis:

• Elisa test: Produces more false positive tests- detects antigens in the blood serum

• IFA test: Produces a more accurate positive test- detects antigens in the white blood cells

• PCR test: used if Elisa and IFA test do not match

Microscopic view of FeLV

Prevention:

• #1 Get your kitty vaccinated!! (If at risk)

• #2 Limit exposure to other infected cats

• #3 Keep your cat indoors all year round

• #4 Make annual check-ups for your cat

• #5 Only breed FeLV negative cats• #6 Test all cats you introduce to your

household

Positive FeLV test:

Vaccination

• Many different vaccines• Most are killed• Have 1-2 adjuvants• Given in the left rear• Given 1 time, then boostered 3-4

weeks• Annually after that

Vaccination continued

• Transdermal available (needle-less)• FeLV Purevax Recombinant:• No adjuvant • Only to be used with Vet Jet

transdermal vaccination system• Receive 2 vaccines 3 weeks apart then

annually• Equal protection as injectable vaccines

Side effects of vaccination

• Risk of sarcomas developing at site• Local swelling or pain• Transient lethargy• Fever• Post-vaccination granuloma

formation

FeLV Purevax

Signs and Symptoms:

• (symptoms depend on type of virus and stage it is progressed to)

• Anemia• Blood in the stool• Decreased appetite• Depression• Diarrhea/constipation• Excessive drinking/urination• Jaundice• Weight loss• Lymphadenopathy• Lymphoid/myeloid tumors (about 30% of infected cats)

Pregnant cat signs/symptoms:

• Increased bacterial and viral infections• Lack of appetite• Lethargic• Stunted growth• Thymic atrophy• Wasting• Disintegration of the fetuses• Spontaneous abortion

FeLV infects the fetus:

FeLV with cancer signs/symptoms

• Respiratory distress• Cloudy eyes• Constipation• Neurological problems• Intestinal inflammation• Vomiting• Diarrhea• Liver/kidney disease

Thymic Lymphoma:

Transmission:

• Can not spread to human or any other species• Large amounts of FeLV excreted in saliva• Biting is major cause of transmission• Mutual grooming• Sharing food/water• Tears• Urine• Feces• Fetus• Milk

Prognosis:

• Approximately 70% of cats infected develop an immunity before symptoms appear

• 30% of infected cats don’t develop immunity and 50% of those die within a few years

• After being stressed or medicated with drugs that suppress the immune system many that are initially immune may suffer a viremic breakout

Treatment:

• THERE IS NO CURE!!!!!• Pain relieving and discomfort

treatments can be used• Antibiotics• Blood transfusions• Chemotherapy• Dietary supplements• Immunomodulatory drugs

Resources:

• http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+1316&aid=211

• http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/FeLV/index.shtml

• https://secure.vlsstore.com/Media/images/vt/09_05/VT_0905_634.png

• www.acaciapetclinic.com/Cases/Anemia.htm

• http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/36/2_Part_2/582

Resources continued…

• http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-care-feline-leukemia-virus.html

• http://www.petplace.com/cats/feline-leukemia-vaccine-recommendations/page1.aspx

• http://www.catvaccines.com/feline_vaccination_guidelines.htm