Frequent diarrhea and vomiting are some of the most common symptoms related to feline leukemia. If your cat is in the early stages of this disease, diarrhea and vomiting may be the first symptoms you notice. These symptoms can sometimes become very severe and can dehydrate your cat in a short amount of time.
Some cats will not show any signs of the disease, while others may show symptoms 2-4 weeks after exposure. Signs of infection include lethargy, fever, gastrointestinal problems, and swollen lymph nodes.
FeLV is spread between cats through saliva, blood, nasal secretions, urine, or feces. It can be transmitted via bite wounds, deep scratches, or behaviors such as sharing food or water bowls, using the same litter box, or engaging in mutual grooming.
While there is no cure for cat leukemia, your pet can live a good quality life with proper care and follow-up with your veterinarian. The majority of cats who test positive for FeLV live about three years after infection.
Although a diagnosis of FeLV can be emotionally devastating, it is important to realize that cats with FeLV can live normal lives for prolonged periods of time. The median survival time for cats after FeLV is diagnosed is 2.5 years.
"The reality, though, is felines who are positive for the virus can remain healthy for months or years after their diagnosis until the virus becomes active." In fact, some cats can live to be 10 to 15 years old if they are diagnosed as an adult. Whatever length their life ends up being, their time can be joy-filled.
How Can My Cat Get Feline Leukemia? FeLV is transmitted from other infected cats "shedding" the virus — a time when the virus is replicating in the body and released into the environment through their saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk.
In fact, studies show that affected cats live as long as cats without FeLV. They also are not necessarily going to suffer from symptoms. Cats with FeLV are more susceptible to illness, and any illness should be treated as quickly as possible. FeLV Myth #4 – Cats with FeLV can't live with other cats.
Feline leukemia symptoms may take a while to develop. Many cats live normal, healthy lives for weeks, months, or even years after infection. When symptoms do appear, they often get gradually worse over time, but can come in cycles where the cat appears healthy between periods of illness.
FeLV is found mostly in cats from 1 to 6 years old; the average age is 3 years. Outdoor cats are more likely to be infected with FeLV.
Can You Administer a FeLV Test at Home? Yes, there are at-home options for feline leukemia tests. However, it is recommended to have a test administered professionally by a veterinarian for a number of reasons.
This disease, which is most often associated with FIV, FeLV, FIP and other infectious organisms, is usually chronic and is likely to result in gradual blindness. Among its signs are inflammation of the eyeball, squinting, swollen third eyelids and noticeably enlarged eyes.
Some cats infected with feline leukemia will show no signs at all. When symptoms do occur, they can appear in almost any form. Common symptoms include lack of appetite, lethargy, fever, and weight loss. Respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, or a runny nose may be seen.
The percentage of feral cats infected with either FeLV or FIV is low. Studies detected FeLV in 4.3% of cats; FIV in 3.5%. This is similar to the rate in owned cats. Several large-scale spay/neuter clinics in the U.S. report only a 1-2% incidence of FeLV in the early years when every cat is tested.
Kittens under 6 months of age should not be tested, as they may test positive for FeLV or FIV even though they are rarely infected. The antibodies of these retroviruses can be passed from infected mothers through nursing and will pass through the kitten in time.
Care of FeLV-Positive Cats
We can't predict the life expectancy of an infected cat, but unfortunately, most will succumb to a feline leukemia-related disease within two or three years after becoming infected.
A cat at any age can be infected with feline leukemia virus through exposure. Allowing an unvaccinated cat to be unsupervised while outdoors may expose it to infected cats. Bringing a new cat into the home that has not tested negative for the feline leukemia virus may also spread the disease.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a virus that can be transmitted between cats via saliva. It's a tragic and fatal disease that is responsible for many cat deaths worldwide every year. More than 50% of infected cats die within 2-3 years after being infected.
Sneezing is one of the many symptoms associated with feline leukemia. There are many others that may occur along with sneezing, and your cat is likely to look and act very sick if she has this condition. Only your vet can tell you for sure if your cat has feline leukemia, however.
Feline leukemia is highly contagious. In fact, it's sometimes referred to as the “friendly cat” disease since it's easily spread from cat to cat through contact that shares saliva or nasal secretions, such as grooming or biting.
For socialized, owned cats, it is generally recommended that FeLV-positive cats only live in homes with other FeLV-positive cats. (FIV-positive cats can live with other cats who don't have FIV as long as they get along and don't fight, causing bite wounds.)
Secondary viremia, a later stage characterized by persistent infection of the bone marrow and other tissue. If FeLV infection progresses to this stage it has passed a point of no return: the overwhelming majority of cats with secondary viremia will be infected for the remainder of their lives.
Most veterinarians counsel against introducing a new cat into a household with a FeLV-positive cat, because they may be at risk for contracting the infection – even with vaccination.
Feline Leukemia vaccine is considered a “core” vaccine for kittens and outdoor cats only and a “non-core” vaccine for all indoor adult cats. Other “non-core” vaccines for cats include FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), and Giardia vaccine.