UNO is a five year old domestic short haired cat. She is owned by Heather, Pet Bather.She has been spayed and stays indoors. She loves staring out the window as if the outside were a fishbowl.
As soon as Uno was adopted, she was tested for feline leukemia and aids. Because Uno was found outside in a barn with other cats, her risk for having contracted these infectious diseases was high. Luckily, the test is fast and within 15 minutes the results showed she had not contracted either of the diseases. She has lived with her family as an exclusively indoor cat for about 4 years and is very happy. These feline diseases are not transmitted the same way that the human versions are transmitted and are not contagious to humans.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most important infectious viruses of cats. It was first discovered in cats with a form of leukemia, hence its name. FeLV is the cause of a variety of diseases, not just leukemia. Like all viruses, FeLV is a minute micro-organism consisting of nucleic acid and a few proteins and glycoproteins in a simple structure. Viruses can only replicate themselves inside living cells. FeLV is specific to members of the cat family and does not pose a risk to other animals or people.
FeLV infection is found worldwide. In general, around 1-2% of the cat population is persistently infected with this virus, and many more are exposed. The proportion of cats infected differs according to the geographical location, environment and the life-style of the cat. Infection is more common in colonies of cats where there is close contact between individuals.
Direct contact between cats is the most frequent method of FeLV infection. The virus is fragile and cannot survive longer than a few hours in the environment outside of the cat. A cat with FeLV sheds a large quantity of the virus in its saliva as well as in other bodily fluids such as urine and feces. However, FeLV is not a highly contagious virus, and transmission generally requires a prolonged period of close contact between infected and susceptible cats. Close contact activities include mating, mutual grooming, and sharing of litter trays and food bowls. Cat bites by an infected cat can readily transmit infection.
There is currently no specific treatment for FeLV-infected cats. There is no treatment to eliminate the virus from the body. PREVENTION is the best method! Vaccines are available to protect cats against FeLV infection. Their use is highly recommended for any cat that goes outside at any time and therefore could have contact with FeLV- infected cats. As with other vaccines, an initial course of two injections is required, and regular boosters are necessary to maintain immunity. Your veterinarian will discuss the most appropriate options for your cat with you. All cats should be tested for FeLV prior to vaccination.
Although vaccination is very helpful in preventing infection with FeLV and thus controlling FeLV-related disease, no vaccine is 100% protective. Where possible do not allow your cat, particularly if a kitten, to come into close contact with known FeLV-infected cats or cats without a known history of proper vaccinations.
Visit American Animal Hospital Association for more information about Feline Leukemia.
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