1. FELINE LEUKEMIA BY: JENNI DERHEIM

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Microscopic view of FeLV

6. 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

7. Microscopic view of FeLV

8. 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

9. Positive FeLV test:

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. FeLV Purevax

14. 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)

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

16. FeLV infects the fetus:

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

18. Thymic Lymphoma:

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. Resources: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+1316&aid=211

23. Resources continued…