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FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS DISEASE
 What is Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)?
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most important infectious viruses of cats. It was discovered in cats with a form of leukemia, hence its name. FeLV is the cause of a variety of diseases, not just leukemia. FeLV is specific to members of the cat family and does not pose a risk to other animals or people.
What disease does the virus cause?
FeLV invades and replicates in various cells of the cat’s immune system and blood-forming cells, and less commonly in other cells. Such a change can make the cell potentially cancerous and lead to neoplastic disease (cancer). The cancerous change may not occur for months or years after infection.
Although the development of cancer is one outcome of FeLV infection, other diseases more commonly develop. In many cats, FeLV infection results in a moderate to severe suppression of the immune system (immunosuppression). This means that the infected cat is less able to defend itself against a wide range of infections; infections that would not normally cause a problem in healthy cats. A variety of clinical signs of chronic and/or recurrent disease develops in these cats, and there is a progressive deterioration in their health over time.
Another common occurrence in FeLV-infected cats is the development of a profound and life-threatening anemia. Other diseases including abortion, severe enteritis (causing diarrhea), neurological (nervous) signs, and ocular (eye) disease are commonly associated with FeLV infection.
FeLV is usually fatal. Studies have shown that 80-90% of FeLV-infected cats will die within 3 to 4 years of initial diagnosis.
How is FeLV transmitted?
Direct contact between cats is the most frequent method of FeLV infection. The virus is fragile and cannot survive longer than a few hours in the environment outside of the cat. A cat with FeLV sheds a large quantity of the virus in its saliva as well as in other body secretions and excretions such as urine and feces. Close contact activities include mating, mutual grooming, and sharing of litter trays and food bowls. Cat bites by an infected cat can readily transmit infection.
Another potential source of infection is when a pregnant cat infected with FeLV gives birth. In this situation, all the kittens will likely be born with FeLV virus.
What happens when a cat is exposed to FeLV?
Not all cats exposed to FeLV will develop persistent infections. Many of the cats that are infected are able to mount an immune response to the virus. This immunity is successful in eliminating the virus in approximately 30% of the cats exposed to FeLV. However, there will have been a period of some weeks when the virus has been replicating in those cats before they cleared the infection. During the period when FeLV was replicating inside those cats’ cells, there may have been cell changes that could lead to disease later in life.
Approximately 70% of cats are unable to mount an immune response to eliminate the virus. Following infection, these cats become persistently and permanently infected with the virus and are at the highest risk of developing FeLV-related disease. Furthermore, it is the permanently infected cats that are primarily responsible for the transmission of FeLV to other cats. It can be many months or even years between the initial virus infection and the onset of related clinical disease problems.
How can FeLV infection be diagnosed?
Diagnosis of FeLV infection is relatively simple. A rapid blood test can be performed which is able to detect viral proteins of FeLV in the blood of an infected cat.
Is there any treatment for FeLV infection or disease?
There is currently no specific treatment for FeLV-infected cats (no treatment to eliminate the virus from the body). Most FeLV-infected cats will eventually die of diseases related to their infection or require euthanasia. However, many cats showing FeLV-related disease will improve on symptomatic treatment, at least for a period of time.
How can infection be prevented?
Vaccines are now available to protect cats against FeLV infection. Their use is highly recommended in any cat that goes outside at any time and therefore could have contact with FeLV infected cats. As with other vaccines, an initial course of two injections is required, and annual boosters are necessary to maintain best immunity. Your veterinarian will discuss the most appropriate options for your cat with you. We recommend testing all cats for FeLV prior to vaccination and testing yearly in indoor/outdoor cats.
Although vaccination is very helpful in preventing infection with FeLV and thus controlling FeLV related disease, no vaccine is 100% protective. Where possible do not allow your cat, particularly if a kitten, to come into close contact with known FeLV-infected cats or cats without a known history of proper vaccinations.
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