Mary Allen
FeLV infection is generally known under the name “leukosis”. But according to Katrin Hartmann, professor at the Medical Small Animal Clinic of the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, the infection should no longer be called that.
Because the term “leukosis” leads to misunderstandings. Firstly, feline leukemia virus infection does not necessarily mean that the cat will develop leukemia, and secondly, leukemia can be a tumorous disease of the immune system. In fact, infection with the FeL virus can lead to many diseases. It can result in anemia, chronic inflammation of the intestines, kidneys, the iris of the eye, and cancers such as leukemia and malignant tumors of the lymph nodes (classic leukosis). FeLV infection also affects the immune system of the affected animal. Other pathogens (e.g. herpes viruses, toxoplasma, cryptococci, etc.) use the weakness of the immune system and cause serious illnesses. FeLV-positive cats often suffer from chronic gingivitis, poorly healing, purulent wounds, or ear infections.
Young Cats Are Very Endangered
Cats become infected through contact with FeLV-positive cats, which shed the virus through saliva, feces, and urine. Close contact between the cats is usually necessary for transmission. Also, a mother cat can transmit the virus to her unborn babies. Finally, there is the possibility that the kittens may contract an infected mammary gland while suckling. Outside the cat’s body, the virus dies quickly. Nevertheless, there is a residual risk when using shared feeding and drinking bowls or toilets. FeLV is particularly insidious because cats can often carry and shed this virus for months, sometimes years, without showing any symptoms. Cats that appear completely healthy become a danger to all other cats in their vicinity. Cats under the age of two and animals with a weakened immune system are particularly at risk. One consolation is that most adult cats can cope with the virus. Your immune system can eliminate the virus from your body and develop immunity against reinfection. Other cats manage to keep the FeLV in check. While they don’t get sick, they can’t get rid of the virus either, it “hides” in the cells of various tissues and cannot be detected by commercially available tests. Infected cats that are undetectable for the virus are – until then their immune system is intact – usually not a danger to other cats either. This changes abruptly with the slightest weakening of the immune system (e.g. due to stress, pregnancy, or an illness). Then the viruses can multiply and lead to an illness. Also more dangerous are these animals than all the others that have not yet been able to develop immunity to FeLV, because as soon as the viruses have the upper hand, they are also excreted again.
Infection Is Not A Death Sentence
There is no drug that kills the FeL virus the way an antibiotic kills bacteria. But a positive FeLV test does not mean that the cat will necessarily die in the shortest possible time. There is still a chance that the cat will defeat the virus itself. Therefore, a second test should be carried out at intervals of several weeks. In any case, if the test result is positive, you should also have the other cats in your household tested.
Indoor Cats Have A Better Chance
If the cat is also FeLV-positive on the second test, with luck, good care, and intensive veterinary care, it can still lead a good life. Many diseases resulting from FeLV infection can be treated well if they are recognized in good time. Incidentally, indoor cats that are kept alone cope best with the infection. Outdoor cats with FeLV not only endanger other cats but also become ill more quickly themselves because they are more exposed to stress and other pathogens than couch potatoes. If FeLV breaks out in full screen, there is usually no rescue. Therefore, prevention of infection is the most important protective measure against disease. In fact, preventive measures such as vaccinations and separating FeLV-positive from FeLV-negative cats have been extremely successful. 20 years ago, around 8% of all cats tested in Germany were still FeLV-positive, today it is only around 4%.
New Treatment Methods Against Viral Diseases
The interferon used in human medicine for otherwise incurable diseases such as leukemia or hepatitis B and C is now also available for veterinary medicine. Interferon is a protein produced by the body that causes healthy cells to build enzymes. These in turn activate the body’s own defense mechanisms and inhibit the proliferation of viruses. Human interferon cannot be used in veterinary medicine because the substances are genetically different. The interferon now developed by Virbac, especially for veterinary medicine has already been used successfully in severe viral infections such as FIV (cat AIDS) and leukemia as well as cat colds. The treatment costs are significantly lower than those in human medicine. Omega interferon, the active ingredient, belongs to the family of cytokines, molecules that act as messenger substances, controlling the activity of immune-competent cells and thus positively influencing the body’s defense against infections. The scientists are confident that diseases such as FIP (infectious peritonitis) or tumor diseases can also be treated with cat interferon in the future.