Cat leukemia, also known as feline leukemia, is a viral infection which kills approximately a million cats in the United States each year.
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It’s more common in urban areas, where many cats live close to each other and it’s easier for disease to spread.
The virus is spread from cat to cat through body fluids, most commonly saliva. This occurs during a bite, or while grooming each other. It’s possible, but less likely, that infection can spread by shared food bowls or litter boxes. Kittens under sixteen weeks of age are particularly susceptible to infection. They can also be infected when they’re in their mom’s uterus. On a more positive note, older kittens and adult cats are usually quite resistant to the virus.
In most cases, cats become infected with the virus, and their immune system fights it off. However, some cats can’t fight off the infection, and the virus persists in their bodies, making them ill.
Some of these cats are infected but show no symptoms. This is called a latent infection. Unfortunately, they usually develop signs of feline leukemia later in life.
The range of symptoms of feline leukemia are wide and varied, because the virus has many different effects. It also affects many organs in the body. The early signs of infection are vague and can be caused by many illnesses, not just leukemia – cats usually go off their food and lose weight. They also often have a fever.
Cats infected with the virus can develop two types of illness.
The virus can affect their bone marrow, and suppress the production of new blood cells. Because of this, one of the most common and earliest signs of feline leukemia is anemia, or low red blood cell count. Cats with anemia have very pale gums and don’t have a lot of energy. Infection with cat leukemia also suppresses the cat’s immune system, so it’s more susceptible to secondary conditions, such as respiratory, gastrointestinal or bladder infections.
There’s no effective treatment for cat leukemia virus infection in the bone marrow. Supportive treatment helps keep cats comfortable – this involves blood transfusions where necessary, and quick treatment of secondary infections.
Other symptoms of feline leukemia are the development of lymphomas, which are a type of cancer. Lymphomas can occur in most organs but are most common in the gastrointestinal tract. This results in vomiting and diarrhea. Fortunately, this type of cancer responds very well to chemotherapy, and some cats go into full remission for quite a long time after treatment.
The good news doesn’t last. 85% of infected cats die within 3 years of diagnosis.
There are steps you can take to prevent cats picking up cat leukemia virus.
The virus itself is not very resilient. It’s easily destroyed by disinfectants and bleaches. Good hygiene helps stop the spread of infection.
It’s important to follow your vet’s advice about vaccinating your cat against cat leukemia virus. The vaccination schedule varies, depending on your cat’s risk of infection. Cats living indoors who don’t mix with other cats are at very low risk of infection, and usually don’t need frequent vaccination.
Finally, quarantine any new introductions to your household. Ideally, don’t let them mix with other household cats until they’ve had two blood tests for cat leukemia 3 months apart, and both are negative.
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