How did my cat get feline leukemia virus?
Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV) is a relatively common viral disease of cats. Some cats acquire this infection at a very young age by being born to an FELV-infected female cat, others contract this disease through direct contact with saliva from an infected cat.
How long does it take for a cat to show signs of leukemia?
During early stages of infection, cats will often exhibit no signs of the disease at all. But the cat’s health will deteriorate over time, taking weeks, months or even years. The progression can be quick and consistent or go in repeating cycles of illness and relative health.
When to give a kitten a leukemia shot?
If you have a kitten in the same house as your sick cat, then give the kitten the first vaccine when it is eight to nine weeks old. Give the second one three to four weeks later. Do your very best to keep your non-infected cats away from your sick cat.
What kind of bile does a cat throw up?
Also, if she goes a while without eating, she might throw up a foamy fluid that’s white or yellow in color. And she might even throw up a foamy liquid before throwing up a hairball. Green liquid or yellow bile – If your cat’s stomach is empty from going a while without eating, she might end up vomiting bile that looks yellow.
When do you know if your cat has feline leukemia?
Follow On: Feline leukemia symptoms may not appear until months or years after your cat has become infected. Feline leukemia is a type of cat cancer caused by the feline leukemia virus, which damages your cat’s immune system and can make him vulnerable to a host of other diseases, immunodeficiency problems and cancers.
How is feline leukemia virus ( FeLV ) easily destroyed?
It is easily destroyed with soap and water. Studies show that FeLV is present in community cats at an equally low rate as owned cats. In several large-scale Trap-Neuter-Return programs, the incidence of FeLV-positive test results was found to be 1 to 2 percent. Urban cats are more likely to be infected than rural cats due to dense populations.
Is there a cure for feline leukemia in cats?
There is no treatment or ‘cure’ for this virus. Vaccination against FELV will greatly increase your cats chances of clearing the infection if exposed instead of becoming persistently infected, which is most likely if your cat is unvaccinated. Cats can start a leukemia vaccine series as early as 8 weeks of age.
How is feline leukemia contagious to other cats?
Because it suppresses a cat’s immune system, it makes it harder for the cat to protect against infection from bacteria, fungi or other viruses. Feline leukemia is actually contagious, as cats persistently infected with FeLV can infect other cats. The virus is transmitted through direct, cat-to-cat contact.
