JEFFERSON ANIMAL HOSPITALS
4504 Outer Loop
Louisville, KY 40299
(502)966-4104
Medical Memo to All Cat Owners
Q. What is Feline Leukemia?
A. Leukemia
is a highly fatal blood cell cancer that is contagious between cats. It is a leading cause of cat deaths and
until now there has been no prevention or cure. The name “Feline Leukemia Virus” (FeLV) gives merely a hint of
just how much trouble this contagious virus can cause. Another cancer, lymphosarcoma, is actually a
more common FeLV disease. Still more
common are associated diseases such as Feline Infectious Peritonitis,
Respiratory Disease and Fading Kitten Syndrome. Cats infected with FeLV have limited ability to resist other
infections by even the most common bacteria, colds, stomach problems, skin and
mouth sores and anemia.
Q. How can I prevent my cat from getting
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)?
A. The
only way besides vaccination is to prevent you cat’s exposure to other
cats. This is very impractical since
many are outside cats, or accompany their owners on trips or are boarded
during vacations or are taken to cat shows, etc. Vaccination is recommended as the best protective procedure.
Q. What signs would my cat show if he has
Feline Leukemia Virus?
A. It’s
impossible to precisely diagnose FeLV entirely from the observable signs in the
early stages because FeLV is associated with so many different disorders. However, signs such as depression, fever,
loss of appetite and swollen glands in the neck or abdomen suggest onset of FeLV related disease.
There are a number of tests available to test a cat for FeLV. No test is 100% accurate, but the
reliability of these tests is considered quite good.
Feline Leukemia Virus is today
regarded as a leading cause of pet cat deaths.
Cats infected with FeLV rarely live more than three years and most die
of associated diseases before the cancer develops.
Q. What if my cat already has Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)?
A. The vaccine has no effect on a cat already infected
with the virus. It doesn't make it
better or worse. The vaccine is not a
treatment or a cure and we do not recommend the vaccine for cats already
infected with FeLV. We do recommend that all cats be TESTED before receiving the
vaccine. This test can be done by
obtaining a small sample of blood and performing this simple test at Jefferson
Animal Hosptial’s lab facilities.
We do recommend that all cats
be TESTED before receiving the vaccine.
This test can be done by obtaining a small sample of blood and
performing this simple test at Jefferson Animal Hosptial’s lab facilities.
Q. Does
the vaccine cause FeLV disease?
A. Absolutely
NOT! The vaccine is composed of only
parts of the Virus, not the complete virus.
You cat has to be exposed to the complete virus particle to contract the
disease.
Q. Can
my kitten be vaccinated?
A. The
earliest recommended age for vaccination is 9 weeks old. We do recommend testing on all kittens 6
weeks of age and older because it is possible for a kittens to be exposed to
the virus in the mothers womb.
Q. How
many injections are necessary for protection?
A. Two
injections are necessary. IF you cat is
tested negative for FeLV, we can schedule the first vaccination, then three
weeks later the second vaccination. An
annual booster is recommended.
If you have any additional
questions, we do have informational brochures on the vaccine and literature
describing in detail the FeLV Disease complex and associated diseases. We also have an excellent film in our film
library that describes the disease.
Sincerely,
Patricia L. Kennedy, D.V.M.
Hospital Director
