Feline Leukemia

What Is Feline Leukemia?

Leukemia is a form of cancer, and the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is the second leading cause of death in cats. This form of the disease cannot be transmitted to other animals or humans, but it can be spread from cat to cat. It is spread through bodily fluids, including saliva, blood, and even urine or feces. While adult cats typically get infected through fighting or grooming one another, kittens can contract the virus in utero or when drinking their mother’s milk. While indoor cats are less likely to contract the disease, multi-cat households or cats who occasionally go outside can have the potential for infection. Infection with FeLV is often lifelong and can lead to anemia, cancer, and immune suppression.

Some signs and symptoms of feline leukemia that you might notice in your pet include:

• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Pale gums
• Yellowish color in the whites of the eyes or the mouth
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Diminished coat condition
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Upper respiratory, skin, or bladder infections
• Difficulty when breathing
• Lethargy or general weakness
• Gingivitis or stomatitis

Female cats may also be dealing with sterility or other reproductive problems.

Cats who are exposed to the virus may see the infection progress in one of three ways.

• Abortive infections: These are eliminated by the cat on their own, although this progression is rare.
• Regressive infections: This type occurs when cats can get rid of the virus from their bloodstreams, but will still carry it within their bone marrow. While the virus is inactive, they can no longer infect other felines. Its presence in the body means symptoms may occur again in the future, which allows them to infect others.
• Progressive infections: These are instances when the virus has reached the bloodstream, and the animal is showing one or more of the above symptoms. This is when cats can infect other felines, which is why they need to be isolated.