 The
number one disease killer of cats in the country today is Feline Leukemia,
a complex of diseases caused by the Feline Leukemia Virus. These diseases
range from leukemia, an increase in white blood cell multiplication to
various cancer and non-cancerous disorders, including the most common form,
a weakening of the cats immune system and increased susceptibility to a
multitude of infections.
The virus is transmitted
from an infected cat to another via saliva, urine, and feces. In multiple
cat households, mutual grooming, licking, sharing food and water bowls
as well as litter boxes also helps transmit the virus.
Not all cats exposed to the
virus become infected. Some will ward off the disease and become immune
to it. Others will become latent carriers - they do not become ill but
are capable of shedding the virus to non-infected cats. About 30 percent
of those exposed become persistently infected - 83 percent of these cats
die within three and a half years.
Symptoms of this incurable
disease are wide ranged and extremely variable. A few major symptoms to
watch for are weight loss, poor hair coat, anorexia, anemia, diarrhea,
weakness, fever, inflammation of gums and persistent bacterial infections.
Nearly one million cats die
from this disease each year. A diagnosis of feline leukemia is obtained
via a simple blood test. A safe and effective vaccination helps prevent
diseases associated with the virus in non-infected cats.
At Tiffin Animal Hospital,
we recommend all kittens and cats be tested for Feline Leukemia virus.
If the test is negative then we will vaccinate against feline leukemia. |
