Difference between revisions of "Care for a Cat with Feline Leukemia"
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| − | Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV) is a relatively common viral disease of cats. Some cats acquire this infection at a very young age by being born to an FELV-infected female cat, others contract this disease through direct contact with saliva from an infected cat. Most cats with FELV lead full, normal lives, but these cats do have special environmental and health requirements and are susceptible to some health consequences once infected.<ref>AAFP - Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines</ref> | + | Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV) is a relatively common viral disease of cats. Some cats acquire this infection at a very young age by being born to an FELV-infected female cat, others contract this disease through direct contact with saliva from an infected cat. Most cats with FELV lead full, normal lives, but these cats do have special environmental and health requirements and are susceptible to some health consequences once infected.<ref name="rf1">AAFP - Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines</ref> |
[[Category:Feline Health]] | [[Category:Feline Health]] | ||
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#*If you found your cat or kitten, or obtained them from a private party, then viral testing should be part of your immediate health care plan. This is especially important if you plan to bring them to a home where cats already live. | #*If you found your cat or kitten, or obtained them from a private party, then viral testing should be part of your immediate health care plan. This is especially important if you plan to bring them to a home where cats already live. | ||
#Look for symptoms of infection. Cats who have recently come in contact with the virus may show signs of the initial viral infection, with non-specific signs such as low energy, fever, or a decreased appetite. | #Look for symptoms of infection. Cats who have recently come in contact with the virus may show signs of the initial viral infection, with non-specific signs such as low energy, fever, or a decreased appetite. | ||
| − | #*After the initial ‘viremia’ (virus multiplying in the bloodstream), some cats’ immune systems will actually fight off and clear the virus completely, others will progress into a persistently infected or ‘latent’ infection stage. At this stage, cats are often asymptomatic and can remain asymptomatic for many years.<ref>Greene et. al, Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat</ref> | + | #*After the initial ‘viremia’ (virus multiplying in the bloodstream), some cats’ immune systems will actually fight off and clear the virus completely, others will progress into a persistently infected or ‘latent’ infection stage. At this stage, cats are often asymptomatic and can remain asymptomatic for many years.<ref name="rf2">Greene et. al, Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat</ref> |
#Understand the complications that can arise should your cat have FeLV. While the disease can be managed, and may even go into remission, flare-ups are always possible. FeLV can lead to cancers, ongoing susceptibility to infection, immune system suppression, and severe anemia.<ref name="Merck">The Merck Manual for Pet Health, Home Edition, pp. 533-536, (2007), ISBN 978-0-911910-99-5</ref> It can also contribute to breeding abnormalities and arthritis abnormalities with red blood cells.<ref name="Sayer" /> | #Understand the complications that can arise should your cat have FeLV. While the disease can be managed, and may even go into remission, flare-ups are always possible. FeLV can lead to cancers, ongoing susceptibility to infection, immune system suppression, and severe anemia.<ref name="Merck">The Merck Manual for Pet Health, Home Edition, pp. 533-536, (2007), ISBN 978-0-911910-99-5</ref> It can also contribute to breeding abnormalities and arthritis abnormalities with red blood cells.<ref name="Sayer" /> | ||
#Be ready to take extra precautions and care measures if your cat has FeLV. He or she can live for several years without the disease causing major problems if given appropriate care.<ref name="Merck" /> In some cases, the cat may even become leukemia-negative, meaning that they will live a long and happy life.<ref name="Anitra">Anitra Frazier, ''The Natural Cat'', pp. 382-384 (2008), ISBN 978-0-452-28975-8</ref> | #Be ready to take extra precautions and care measures if your cat has FeLV. He or she can live for several years without the disease causing major problems if given appropriate care.<ref name="Merck" /> In some cases, the cat may even become leukemia-negative, meaning that they will live a long and happy life.<ref name="Anitra">Anitra Frazier, ''The Natural Cat'', pp. 382-384 (2008), ISBN 978-0-452-28975-8</ref> | ||
=== Caring for a Cat Diagnosed with FeLV === | === Caring for a Cat Diagnosed with FeLV === | ||
| − | #Give an unvaccinated cat a shot of the vaccination. There is no treatment or ‘cure’ for this virus.<ref | + | #Give an unvaccinated cat a shot of the vaccination. There is no treatment or ‘cure’ for this virus.<ref name="rf2" /> Vaccination against FELV will greatly increase your cats chances of clearing the infection if exposed instead of becoming persistently infected, which is most likely if your cat is unvaccinated. Cats can start a leukemia vaccine series as early as 8 weeks of age.<ref name="rf3">American Association of Feline Practitioners 2006 Feline Vaccination Guidelines</ref> Boosters are given every 1-3 years depending on the amount of exposure risk, and the type of vaccination used. |
#Give your cat medication for worms, ear mites, fleas, ticks, and anything else that may cause him/her discomfort. Do not treat him/her for all these things at once, or else the cat will just feel even worse. Wait a week or two before treating him/her for a second condition. | #Give your cat medication for worms, ear mites, fleas, ticks, and anything else that may cause him/her discomfort. Do not treat him/her for all these things at once, or else the cat will just feel even worse. Wait a week or two before treating him/her for a second condition. | ||
#Keep your house stress-free. If your cat is frightened or agitated by anything in your house, get rid of the cause. Ask your family and friends to be quiet and to avoid being loud when inside the house. | #Keep your house stress-free. If your cat is frightened or agitated by anything in your house, get rid of the cause. Ask your family and friends to be quiet and to avoid being loud when inside the house. | ||
#*Keep your cat's environment warm enough. He/she may need more warmth than a non-infected cat. Snug blankets and sleeping areas are essential. | #*Keep your cat's environment warm enough. He/she may need more warmth than a non-infected cat. Snug blankets and sleeping areas are essential. | ||
| − | #Feed your cat a high quality, balanced diet . Higher-quality food will improve your cat's condition and is an assurance that your cat is getting the required nutrients that cheaper food lacks. Do not feed any home or commercially prepared raw diets as cats with FELV have a compromised immune system and could become ill from harmful bacteria this way.<ref>AAFP, Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines</ref> | + | #Feed your cat a high quality, balanced diet . Higher-quality food will improve your cat's condition and is an assurance that your cat is getting the required nutrients that cheaper food lacks. Do not feed any home or commercially prepared raw diets as cats with FELV have a compromised immune system and could become ill from harmful bacteria this way.<ref name="rf4">AAFP, Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines</ref> |
#*Don’t feed solely fish, as this is lacking in many essential nutrients. | #*Don’t feed solely fish, as this is lacking in many essential nutrients. | ||
#Ensure that the cat's gear is hygienic. Keep all of your cat's litter boxes, food bowls, water bowls, etc. very clean. This means daily cleaning, without fail. If you're not around to do it, someone else must be tasked with this chore. | #Ensure that the cat's gear is hygienic. Keep all of your cat's litter boxes, food bowls, water bowls, etc. very clean. This means daily cleaning, without fail. If you're not around to do it, someone else must be tasked with this chore. | ||
=== Limiting Spread === | === Limiting Spread === | ||
| − | #Practice good hygiene. The FELV virus does not survive for long outside of the infected cat, but may be passed by hands, clothes or other objects.<ref | + | #Practice good hygiene. The FELV virus does not survive for long outside of the infected cat, but may be passed by hands, clothes or other objects.<ref name="rf2" /> Practice good personal hygiene and wash your hands if touching different cats, especially if you pet or handle a known FELV positive cat. |
#*The FELV virus does not infect people. | #*The FELV virus does not infect people. | ||
#Keep your cat indoors to avoid spreading the disease or worsening its condition. FeLV is spread through blood, saliva, and excrement. Outdoor cats are at higher risk of contracting this disease, due to the increased likelihood of coming into contact with infected cats.<ref name="Merck" /> | #Keep your cat indoors to avoid spreading the disease or worsening its condition. FeLV is spread through blood, saliva, and excrement. Outdoor cats are at higher risk of contracting this disease, due to the increased likelihood of coming into contact with infected cats.<ref name="Merck" /> | ||
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#Get any kittens in the household vaccinated. If you have a kitten in the same house as your sick cat, then give the kitten the first vaccine when it is eight to nine weeks old. Give the second one three to four weeks later. | #Get any kittens in the household vaccinated. If you have a kitten in the same house as your sick cat, then give the kitten the first vaccine when it is eight to nine weeks old. Give the second one three to four weeks later. | ||
#Do your very best to keep your non-infected cats away from your sick cat. They might not like being separated from their friends, but it's best for all of them until your cat is feeling better. And unfortunately, even with vaccination (it's not 100 percent effective), persistent contact with the infected cat may well lead to another uninfected cat getting the disease;<ref name="Merck" /> it is better to avoid this possibility. | #Do your very best to keep your non-infected cats away from your sick cat. They might not like being separated from their friends, but it's best for all of them until your cat is feeling better. And unfortunately, even with vaccination (it's not 100 percent effective), persistent contact with the infected cat may well lead to another uninfected cat getting the disease;<ref name="Merck" /> it is better to avoid this possibility. | ||
| − | #*Bites and scratches are common routes of transmission, but even friendly interactions, such as touching faces, sharing food or water dishes and grooming one another can result in infection.<ref | + | #*Bites and scratches are common routes of transmission, but even friendly interactions, such as touching faces, sharing food or water dishes and grooming one another can result in infection.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#*Avoid getting another cat. The less cats you have, the less chances the infection has to spread. | #*Avoid getting another cat. The less cats you have, the less chances the infection has to spread. | ||
=== Ongoing Care === | === Ongoing Care === | ||
| − | #Bring your cat in for a checkup every 6 months. The longer a cat lives and is infected with FELV, the more likely they are to develop certain types of ocular problems, oral infections, blood diseases, and cancer.<ref | + | #Bring your cat in for a checkup every 6 months. The longer a cat lives and is infected with FELV, the more likely they are to develop certain types of ocular problems, oral infections, blood diseases, and cancer.<ref name="rf2" /> Infected cats should have a physical examination and blood counts twice yearly. A more comprehensive blood, urine, and fecal examination should be performed once yearly.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#*Your vet will ensure that the cat receives the required regular vaccinations, including rabies if that is relevant to your location. | #*Your vet will ensure that the cat receives the required regular vaccinations, including rabies if that is relevant to your location. | ||
#*The 6-monthly checkups are vital, even if you see no signs of sickness in your cat.<ref name="Merck" /> | #*The 6-monthly checkups are vital, even if you see no signs of sickness in your cat.<ref name="Merck" /> | ||
