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Feline leukemia is caused by an infectious virus which can cause a variety of diseases in cats, including leukemia.\u00a0 It is usually fatal, with 80-90% of infected kitties dying within 3-4 years of diagnosis.\u00a0 Because of its serious nature, it is vital for cat owners to understand this terrible disease.<\/p>\n
Feline leukemia, or FeLV, is shed in the saliva and bodily fluids of the infected cat.\u00a0 It is transmitted to other cats through direct, close contact such as during mutual grooming, fighting, or from a mother cat to her kittens.\u00a0 The virus invades the cells in the infected cat\u2019s body causing death or mutations of those cells.\u00a0 This often results in cancer, the most common type being lymphoma.\u00a0 Feline leukemia virus also suppresses the immune system so that the infected cat is unable to fight off infections.<\/p>\n
When a cat is exposed to FeLV, most times it is able to fight off infection with a normal immune response.\u00a0 Some cats are unable to fight off the virus, however, and become permanently infected.\u00a0 These cats may not develop outward signs of a problem immediately, and can continue to transmit the virus to other cats.<\/p>\n
Diagnosis of FeLV is made through a simple blood test.\u00a0 There is not, however, a cure for the disease.\u00a0 Most cats will eventually die or need to be euthanized due to the infection or problems related to the infection.<\/p>\n
The good news, however, is that there is a very effective vaccine that can help reduce your cat\u2019s chances of contracting feline leukemia.\u00a0 Keeping your cat indoors and away from unknown cats can also decrease the odds that he or she will be exposed to the virus.\u00a0 Talk to your veterinarian about whether your cat could benefit from being vaccinated for feline leukemia.\u00a0 It may just save his or her life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Feline leukemia is caused by an infectious virus which can cause a variety of diseases in cats, including leukemia.\u00a0 It is usually fatal, with 80-90% of infected kitties dying within 3-4 years of diagnosis.\u00a0 Because of its serious nature, it is vital for cat owners to understand this terrible disease.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[228,248,250,394],"class_list":["post-362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-health-wellness","tag-emergency-veterinarians-in-mi","tag-feline-leukemia","tag-felv","tag-oakland-veterinary-referral-service"],"yoast_head":"\n