Can the Fvrcp Vaccine Protect Again if Cat Has Been Exposed
Facts About Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is 2nd but to trauma as the leading cause of expiry in cats, killing 85% of persistently infected felines within iii years of diagnosis. The virus ordinarily causes anemia or lymphoma, but because it suppresses the immune arrangement, it can besides predispose cats to mortiferous infections.
Nonetheless, exposure to the feline leukemia virus doesn't have to be a death sentence; virtually lxx% of cats who meet the virus are able to resist infection or eliminate the virus on their own.
How Feline Leukemia Virus Is Transmitted
Feline leukemia is a disease that merely affects cats -- it cannot be transmitted to people, dogs, or other animals. FeLV is passed from ane true cat to another through saliva, claret, and to some extent, urine and feces. The virus does non live long exterior the cat's torso -- probably just a few hours. Grooming and fighting seem to be the commonest ways for infection to spread. Kittens tin contract the illness in utero or through an infected mother's milk. The disease is frequently spread by obviously healthy cats, so even if a cat appears healthy, information technology may be infected and able to transmit the virus.
Your Cat's Take chances Factors
Exposure to infected cats raises your true cat's risk of contracting FeLV, especially for kittens and young adult cats. Older cats are less likely to contract the infection, because resistance seems to increase with historic period. For indoor-only cats, the run a risk of contracting FeLV is very low. Cats in multi-cat households or in catteries are more at risk, particularly if they share water and food dishes and litter boxes.
But nigh 3% of cats in single-cat households have the virus, but for cats that spend time outdoors, the rate is much higher. Still, the prevalence of FeLV has decreased over the last 25 years considering of vaccines and reliable tests.
Symptoms of Feline Leukemia Virus
Cats infected with FeLV may exhibit i or more of the following symptoms:
- Stake gums
- Xanthous color in the mouth and whites of eyes
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Bladder, skin, or upper respiratory infections
- Weight loss and/or loss of appetite
- Poor glaze condition
- Progressive weakness and languor
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Animate difficulty
- Reproductive problems similar sterility in unspayed female person cats
- Stomatitis – Oral disease that includes ulceration of gingiva
Diagnosing Feline Leukemia Virus
Your veterinarian can diagnose the disease by conducting a simple blood exam called an ELISA, which identifies FeLV proteins in the blood. This test is highly sensitive and tin identify cats with very early on infections. Information technology is important to remember that some cats will manage to clear the infection inside a few months and volition afterwards test negative.
A second blood test, the IFA, detects the progressive phase of the infection, and cats with positive results for this test are unlikely to clear the virus. The IFA test is performed at a laboratory, rather than in your vet's clinic. In general, cats that are IFA-positive accept a poor long-term prognosis.
Treatment for Feline Leukemia Virus
Eighty-5 percent of cats persistently infected with feline leukemia virus die within three years of diagnosis. However, regular veterinary check-ups and adept preventive wellness intendance tin can help keep these cats feeling well for some time and help protect them from secondary infection. Twice-yearly concrete examinations, laboratory testing, and parasite command can prevent complications and identify bug speedily. All FeLV infected cats should exist kept indoors and be neutered.
There is soon no cure for FeLV infection. Secondary infections can exist treated every bit they appear, and cats with cancer can receive chemotherapy. However, the prognosis is grave for cats with os marrow compromise or widespread lymphoma.
Protecting Your True cat From Feline Leukemia Virus
Keeping your cat indoors and away from infected cats is a sure fashion to prevent them from contracting FeLV. In addition, vaccines can be given to cats at loftier risk of exposure, such as those who get outside or live in shelters or catteries. Only cats that test negative for FeLV should be vaccinated, and fifty-fifty those that have received the vaccine should exist tested if there has been a possible exposure to the virus. The test should not be given before 30 days subsequently the possible exposure. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, whatsoever cat that's sick should be tested. That's considering there is a broad variety of health issues that tin can be associated with the virus.
New cats or kittens over eight weeks of age should be tested for the virus before beingness introduced to a multi-cat household. Most veterinarians counsel confronting introducing a new cat into a household with a FeLV-positive cat, because they may be at risk for contracting the infection – even with vaccination. In addition, the stress of a newcomer may adversely affect the FeLV-positive true cat.
Source: https://pets.webmd.com/cats/facts-about-feline-leukemia-virus
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