Maladies

The feline leukemia virus is the cause of the most frequent, most deadly of all virus illnesses for cats. It is one of the so-called retroviruses. Feline leukemia weakens the immune system and causes anaemia. It can also be the cause of cancerous tumors. Transmission occurs primarily through direct contact between two animals, as the virus is shed in large quantities in the saliva and to a lesser extent in the faeces, urine, lachrymal secretions, and mother's milk.

The picture of illnesses brought about through the leukemia virus is extremely varied. The immune system can be so badly weakened by damage to the white blood cells that the cat is susceptible to all sorts of pathogens, even those that are normally harmless. The resulting inflammation of various organs is only temporarily influenced by therapeutic treatment. Feline leukemia often paves the way for further infections, such as FIP, FIV, respiratory ailments, kidney infections, etc.

Possible symptoms: lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, apathy, fever, angina, acute kidney inflammation, pale to white mucous membranes, anaemia, positive leukemia test.

Only in the rarest cases can FeLV infection can be diagnosed on the basis of symptoms alone. A relatively certain diagnosis can be made on the basis of the feline leukemia test, which can establish the presence of leukemia elements in the blood. This test is usually performed before vaccination in order to recognize healthy-seeming carriers, since, although such animals may be vaccinated with no problem, the success of the vaccine is questionable.

The weapon of choice against FeLV infection is protective vaccination. This consists of a basic immunization in which the cat is vaccinated twice at three-week intervals. Yearly booster shots are recommended.