Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the major causes of illness and death in domestic cats. The virus is contagious and spreads primarily through intimate nose-to-nose contact with infected saliva. This very often occurs during cat fights, grooming, and mating. Contaminated urine, blood, and feces are also sources of infection. The virus can cross the placenta, infecting kittens while still in the mother's uterus. Nursing kittens can become infected from contaminated milk if the queen is infected with the virus.
There are no symptoms that are specific for FeLV infection. Tumors, anemia (low red blood cell count), white blood cell and platelet disorders, and numerous immune-mediated diseases are common conditions. The main effects of the virus are on the cat's immune system. An infected cat is extremely susceptible to any type of infection. Respiratory, oral, and skin infections are common. Chronic digestive and urinary tract problems are also encountered. Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Hemobartonellosis, and Toxoplasmosis are often seen in cats that are FeLV positive.
Most veterinary hospitals are equipped for feline leukemia virus testing. The test is well worth the money and is used to diagnose FeLV-related illnesses, detect subclinical infections, and identify FeLV infections in multicat households (and catteries). It is highly advisable to test any cat or kitten before introducing him (or her) into a new home.
Due to the devastating consequences of this disease, vaccination is strongly recommended. It has been shown that vaccinations against feline leukemia reduce the risk of FeLV infection. Vaccinations are administered at 8 to 10 weeks of age (or older) followed by a second dose 2 to 4 weeks later. Thereafter, booster vaccinations are given. All available vaccines produce less than 100% protection against FeLV; therefore, other protective measures must be taken into consideration. The most important of these measures is to keep healthy, uninfected cats away from potentially infected cats. Potentially infected cats are stray cats, free roaming cats, and cats that are not vaccinated or tested for feline leukemia.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
FIV is a slow, chronic contagious disease of cats, due to the replication of a virus that is similar to the human AIDS virus. Even though FIV is closely related to human AIDS, the virus is very specific to members of the cat family.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vaccination is quite controversial due to the interference of vaccinating with diagnostic testing. Like FeLV, FIV is a retrovirus and causes immunosuppression.
Transmission of FIV occurs through bite wounds. Due to their aggressive territorial behavior, non-neutered male cats are most commonly infected. Any cat that is bitten by another cat is at risk of contracting FIV. Casual contact between cats does not appear to be a major factor in disseminating the disease.
Lymphocytes are important cells involved in the body's immune (defense) system. FIV infects and destroys these lymphocytes. Without lymphocytes, immunodeficiency results and the body is open to infection. Symptoms associated with FIV are generally due to secondary bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
The diagnosis of FIV is made by a veterinarian. The history, clinical symptoms of the disease, and the results of a specific blood test are instrumental in diagnosing the disease.