FELINE LEUKEMIA:
How Veterinarians are Fighting Back
by Tricia McMaster
Published in the San Diego Union Tribune's "SDPets", September, 2008
Of all the viruses that threaten a cat’s health, feline leukemia (FeLV) is the most baffling. According to the Long Beach Animal Hospital, veterinarians first diagnosed this virus in 1960’s and have yet to fully determine why it destroys the immune systems of some cats and lies dormant or disappears in others.
But over the years veterinarians have gained considerable ground in the battle to conquer this disease. They now have two common diagnostic tests and an FeLV vaccine as powerful preventative measures for the healthy cat population. And for cats that have contracted feline leukemia a range of experimental medicines, supportive care and holistic treatments are helping them cope with the disease and enjoy a higher quality of life.
The Facts
Education is key protecting the cat population, and there are a number of very helpful websites for cat owners. Dr. Holly Nash of PetEducation.com writes that the FeLV retrovirus is not contagious to humans or any other animal. The virus itself is unstable and does not live long in the air or on dry surfaces. While the FeLV virus is spread between cats through saliva, blood and urine, it takes large amounts of the virus and prolonged exposure to infect an adult cat. Curiously, the virus was named “feline leukemia” because at advanced stages of the disease it causes a serious cancer of the lymph nodes. And it is not to be confused with the FIV virus, also known as “feline AIDS,” even though both are immunodeficiency retroviruses common only to cats.
A cat can actually have both FeLV and FIV at the same time.
Cornell's veterinary website estimates that about 2- 3% of all cats in the US are infected with FeLV. During the first stage of FeLV infection, a healthy vaccinated cat will eliminate the virus over a few weeks. A free-roaming or unvaccinated cat, however, may enter the second of infection where the virus will reside in the bone marrow. In best case scenarios, the virus lies dormant and the infected cat shows no signs of illness. In worst case scenarios the infected cat will suffer any one of a vast range of secondary diseases ranging from respiratory tract infections and periodontal disease to cancers. Tragically, kittens are the most vulnerable to the complications of FeLV as the virus is spread through the mother.
Preventing the Spread
Two blood tests determine whether a cat has contracted FeLV: the “ELISA” test, used for initial screening, and the “IFA” test, used for confirming that the virus is present in the cat's bone marrow. PetDoc.com recommends that a cat first testing positive for FeLV be retested, as false positives are not uncommon. A cat can show no symptoms and still carry the virus, so it is important to test all cats in a multi-cat household if one is exposed to FeLV.
A number of FeLV vaccines are available. The Long Beach Animal Hospital recommends that kittens be vaccinated at nine weeks with a booster two to four weeks later, and receive yearly boosters thereafter. Veterinarians report the vaccine is not 100-percent effective, and cats still do come down with FeLV. Because of the eventual suffering FeLV can cause, and because it is contagious, homeless cats at shelters testing positive for the disease are usually euthanized.
San Diego humane societies and cat rescue organizations are banning together to help stop the spread of feline leukemia. The Feral Cat Coalition routinely spays and neuters feral (wild) cats to lower the homeless cat population, while area humane societies and rescue organizations have their cats tested for FeLV and vaccinated before every adoption.
Hope for Infected Cats
A growing number of cat lovers are choosing to keep or adopt one or more cats with FeLV and work closely with their veterinarians to maximize the quality of their lives however long or short they may be. FeLV cats need to live separately from non-FeLV cats and they should never be let outdoors.
New experimental drugs are aimed at prolonging the lives of FeLV cats. Dr. Jennifer DeBerry, internal medicine specialist at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, explains that “many of these new medications work in different ways to help the cat’s immune system be able to 'fight' the virus, or at least keep it in check. Unfortunately none of these immunomodulators have received thorough evaluation in large controlled studies of naturally infected cats.”
“Where veterinarians do see promise,” adds Dr. DeBerry, “is in supportive care--treating the problems which are secondary to the viral infection.” Veterinarians can help owners identify the early symptoms of health complications that arise due to FeLV, such as nasal discharge or swollen glands. A range of treatments can help keep these symptoms from becoming life-threatening illnesses if they are caught early on.
Dr. Keith Weingardt of the Animal Healing Center in San Diego incorporates three holistic approaches to his treatment of cats with FeLV. “We look at strengthening the immune systems of cats with FeLV in order to minimize the secondary illnesses.” Nutrition is essential to building up the immune system.. “Cats are carnivores,” Dr. Weingardt explains, “and their kidneys go through additional stress eating dry kibble.” He suggests grain-free, nutrient-dense canned cat food or home-cooked meats. He also prescribes supplements and antioxidants formulated specifically for cats to help build up the immune system. And Dr. Weingardt sees amazing improvement in the strength of cats after having acupuncture. Controlled studies show that acupuncture can boost the white blood cell count in animals.
The combination of ever-advancing veterinary science and age-old healing wisdom help give cats with FeLV a fighting chance at having a quality life. It is a gamble that many cat lovers and cat sanctuaries are willing to take. They are joined by a dedicated veterinarian community who aim to conquer FeLV and minimize its dreadful impact on feline health.
Short-List of Feline Health Websites Websites:
Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine
Ped Education.com
Pet Doc
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