FELINE LEUKEMIA BY: JENNI DERHEIM

FeLV Facts/History 1st FeLV case was discovered in 1964 in a cluster of cats with lymphosarcomas Major cause of illness and death in the domestic cat It is a retrovirus (FIV) 1-2% of cats have FeLV More common in males Kittens are more susceptible

What is Feline Leukemia? Cancerous disease caused by feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Can cause cancers other than Leukemia Causes immunodeficiency Only felines can carry this virus

3 Types of FeLV: FeLV A- occurs in all infected w/FeLV- causes severe weakened immune system FeLV B- occurs in about 50% of infected cats- causes neoplastic diseases more than those infected with type A. FeLV C- occurs in about 1% of those infected- causes severe anemia

Microscopic view of FeLV

Diagnosis: Elisa test: Produces more false positive tests- detects antigens in the blood serum IFA test: Produces a more accurate positive test- detects antigens in the white blood cells PCR test: used if Elisa and IFA test do not match

Microscopic view of FeLV

Prevention: #1 Get your kitty vaccinated!! (If at risk) #2 Limit exposure to other infected cats #3 Keep your cat indoors all year round #4 Make annual check-ups for your cat #5 Only breed FeLV negative cats #6 Test all cats you introduce to your household

Positive FeLV test:

Vaccination Many different vaccines Most are killed Have 1-2 adjuvants Given in the left rear Given 1 time, then boostered 3-4 weeks Annually after that

Vaccination continued Transdermal available (needle-less) FeLV Purevax Recombinant: No adjuvant Only to be used with Vet Jet transdermal vaccination system Receive 2 vaccines 3 weeks apart then annually Equal protection as injectable vaccines

Side effects of vaccination Risk of sarcomas developing at site Local swelling or pain Transient lethargy Fever Post-vaccination granuloma formation

FeLV Purevax

Signs and Symptoms: (symptoms depend on type of virus and stage it is progressed to) Anemia Blood in the stool Decreased appetite Depression Diarrhea/constipation Excessive drinking/urination Jaundice Weight loss Lymphadenopathy Lymphoid/myeloid tumors (about 30% of infected cats)

Pregnant cat signs/symptoms: Increased bacterial and viral infections Lack of appetite Lethargic Stunted growth Thymic atrophy Wasting Disintegration of the fetuses Spontaneous abortion

FeLV infects the fetus:

FeLV with cancer signs/symptoms Respiratory distress Cloudy eyes Constipation Neurological problems Intestinal inflammation Vomiting Diarrhea Liver/kidney disease

Thymic Lymphoma:

Transmission: Can not spread to human or any other species Large amounts of FeLV excreted in saliva Biting is major cause of transmission Mutual grooming Sharing food/water Tears Urine Feces Fetus Milk

Prognosis: Approximately 70% of cats infected develop an immunity before symptoms appear 30% of infected cats don’t develop immunity and 50% of those die within a few years After being stressed or medicated with drugs that suppress the immune system many that are initially immune may suffer a viremic breakout

Treatment: THERE IS NO CURE!!!!! Pain relieving and discomfort treatments can be used Antibiotics Blood transfusions Chemotherapy Dietary supplements Immunomodulatory drugs

Resources: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+1316&aid=211 http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/FeLV/index.shtml https://secure.vlsstore.com/Media/images/vt/09_05/VT_0905_634.png www.acaciapetclinic.com/Cases/Anemia.htm http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/36/2_Part_2/582

Resources continued… http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-care-feline-leukemia-virus.html http://www.petplace.com/cats/feline-leukemia-vaccine-recommendations/page1.aspx http://www.catvaccines.com/feline_vaccination_guidelines.htm