What if my kitten tested positive for feline leukemia?
Cats who test positive for FeLV can live for many years without serious symptoms. A positive FeLV test result SHOULD NOT be a death sentence. A vaccination for FeLV exists, but it is not 100 percent effective. In rare instances, FeLV can spread through the shared use of litter boxes and/or feeding dishes.
What are the signs and symptoms of feline leukemia?
Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
- weight loss.
- lethargy.
- fever.
- diarrhea.
- unusual breathing patterns.
- pale gums or a yellow color around the mouth and whites of the eyes.
Should I put my cat down for leukemia?
This makes it important to limit stress, feed a high quality diet, schedule normal veterinary exams, and address health problems as soon as they arise. You wouldn’t know a cat had FeLV by just looking at her/him. Many people have FeLV+ cats in their home and don’t even know it because they were never tested.
When does feline Leukemia Show Up?
FeLV can usually be detected in the blood within 30 days of exposure (though sometimes it can take longer). If your cat tests negative, but they could have been exposed to FeLV less than 30 days ago, your veterinarian will likely want to repeat the test at least 30 days after their last potential exposure.
What are the stages of FeLV?
There are three primary outcome stages of FeLV infection: abortive, regressive and progressive.
What are the stages of FIV?
FIV progressively disrupts normal immune function. Cats exposed to the virus may go through three stages of infection: the acute stage, lasting 3 to 6 months; the subclinical stage, lasting months to years; and the chronic stage, which may also last months or years.
What is the difference between FIV and FeLV?
In the case of FIV, saliva from an infected cat is the primary mode of transmission. The FeLV virus is shed through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk; it may be transmitted through mutual grooming, from queen (mother) to kitten, bite wounds, or rarely, through shared litterboxes and feeding dishes.