Feline Leukemia
By: Nicole Shalit
Female leukemia virus is a family of viruses which has many members that cause the death of cats around the world. The prevalence of feline leukemia is about 3% in a single cat household, and can get as high as 11% in stray cat populations. In multiple cat households where the cats are able to roam indoors and outdoors at their own convince, it can reach as high as 70%. The area cats live in can also take factor in how prone to the disease they are. In rural areas, have a 6% chance of getting it where as cats in urban areas, have a 40% chance.
Feline leukemia has been studied for the past 30 years. Research has proven that it is both contagious, and that it causes fatal cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Also, it can lie dormant in bone marrow for a long time. The type of leukemia cannot be transmitted to humans or other animals other than those in the cat family.
When cats become sick with feline leukemia, there are four possible outcomes. First, in about 30% of the cats who get leukemia, an effective immune response is produced and the infection is resisted. About 40% of the cats with this disease, the virus is successful and the cat becomes persistently infected. Another 30% of these cats, the virus lays hidden in the bone marrow. Finally, some cats develop latent or sequestered infection. This happens less that 5-10% of the time. In general, cats under 4 months of age have the least ability to mount an effective an immune system.
Feline leukemia is capable of producing a variety of diseases and symptoms such as anemia, liver disease, intestinal disease and reproductive problems. The main treatment for cats who test positive for leukemia is protecting them from exposure to other diseases, ensuring good nutrition, giving regular vaccines with killed virus vaccines.