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Feline Leukemia · Feline Leukemia signs & symptoms · Feline Leukemia diagnosis · Feline Leukemia treatment · Feline Leukemia related articles
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Some cats with FeLV are seriously ill and die quickly, but many live for several years after being diagnosed with leukemia. Death is usually caused by a secondary infection because these cats aren’t able to fight off bacteria and viruses. Because there is no specific treatment for cats with FeLV, these cats are given supportive care. For example, cats that are anemic are given blood transfusions. Cats with infections are given tetracycline antibiotics (Doxycycline and Oxytetracycline) or Liquamycin. These antibiotics are chosen because they help eliminate a very troublesome bacteria (Haemobartonella) that worsens the anemia that accompanies FeLV.
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If the cats are dehydrated or are not eating, they are given fluids and nutritional supplements. Cats with gum and mouth disease are given supportive dental care. Cats can be given immune modulating drugs such as oral interferon, IV ImmunoRegulin (propionibacterium acnes), or oral acemannan. Injections into the abdomen of immunomodulator staphylococcal protein A has helped some cats with infected bone marrow. For cats that develop tumors, chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, chlorambucil, and prednisone may induce short periods of remission.
Veterinarians recommend vitamins and antioxidants, such as 1-800-PetMeds VitaChews. It is beneficial to give Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, such as found in Be Well, Missing Link, and Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet. Enzyme toothpaste, such as C.E.T. Toothpaste helps remove bacteria and decrease gingivitis.
Most cats with FeLV infection should not be vaccinated. Vaccines are effective in cats when they have healthy immune systems, and any cat with the leukemia virus does not have a healthy immune system. If a cat is going to be vaccinated, killed vaccines rather than live vaccines are used.
Preventing Feline Leukemia
After a cat is infected with FeLV, three things can happen: the cat can clear the virus, can develop a latent infection, or can develop an overwhelming persistent infection. Rather than relying on the cat to clear the infection, it’s best to prevent it. The best prevention is to test all female cats and either prevent pregnancy or remove kittens from FeLV-positive queens before the kittens have nursed. Testing all male cats also helps prevent disease if FeLV-positive cats are kept indoors and away from others they might infect.
Keeping cats healthy, unstressed, and housed in peaceful circumstances helps prevent infection. To promote health, feed as much fresh food with as wide a variety as possible. For example, offer cats bits of sweet potatoes, rhubarb, yoghurt, liver, etc. Use calming pheromones, such as Comfort Zone Feliway and the calming flower remedy, Be Serene.
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>FeLV VaccineVaccines help protect kittens from developing FeLV. To be effective, they should be given to kittens under 4 months of age. Before vaccinating, test the kitten’s blood to confirm that it has not been exposed to the virus. If it has been exposed, giving the vaccine is not helpful. Many veterinarians do not believe the FeLV vaccine protects older cats. Either the cat has been exposed to the virus when it was young or it was not. If not, and it has a healthy immune system there is little chance of it being infected as an adult. We know this because researchers tried to give FeLV infections to adult cats, and they could not infect the cats unless they immune suppressed them first.
Some healthy cats develop cancer called a fibrosarcoma when they are given the FeLV vaccine because their bodies react in an unhealthy manner to the material in the vaccine. The incidence of cancer is higher if cats are vaccinated with rabies at the same time and in the same area.
Getting another cat
The leukemia virus is not hardy and dies quickly in the environment. Because the virus is easily killed by cleaning with household detergents, it is not necessary to wait a long time to get another cat. Thoroughly wash bedding, cat toys, floors and counters, and feel confident that your new cat can live a healthy life in your home.
Read more information about Feline Leukemia or some of the more effective drugs used for treatment.
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The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians
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Fever
Weight loss
Swollen lymph nodes
Anemia
Upper respiratory infections
Persistent diarrhea
Sore gums & mouth
Recurring skin & ear infections
Nervous system problems
Low numbers of white blood cells
Low numbers of clotting cells
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
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Kittens less than 4 months old are susceptible to FeLV, but healthy older cats are resistant to infection
Of all cats that die of cancer, about 1/3 will die of FeLV-caused tumors
After a cat is infected with FeLV, 3 things can happen: the cat can clear the virus, can develop a latent infection, or can develop an overwhelming persistent infection
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Kittens less than 4 months old
Mature cats with extraordinarily weak immune systems
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Doxycycline
Prednisone
Oxytetracycline
Liquamycin
Interferon
IV ImmunoRegulin (propionibacterium acnes)
Acemannan
immunomodulator staphylococcal protein
Cyclophosphamide
Vincristine
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