Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia causes immunosuppression which eventually damages the tissue and organs. Once infected, your cat may die within a few months or he could live for years showing no obvious problems. He can fight off infection and live as a healthy carrier, but remember he can still infect other cats. Once the virus is contracted, it duplicates in the lymphatic tissue in the mouth. It is then spread to the white blood cells which circulates throughout the body, effecting the lymph nodes and the bone marrow. Because of this, your cat can develop feline cancer such as feline lung cancer or carcinoma and lymphosarcoma. The earlier the cancer is detected the better the chances are of survival.
Symptoms of feline cancers:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- swelling of the lymph nodes
- respiratory distress
- intestinal inflammation
- loss of appetite
- weight loss.
- open sores that will not heal
Feline Leukemia Test
It is recommended that your cat get the leukemia vaccine only if he is exposed to the virus. If he is an outdoor cat or is taken places where he comes in contact with other cats, then he should be tested for leukemia before given the vaccine to see if he is a carrier.
These routine test can be done at your veterinarian's office. With a small blood sample, they can perform the test and find out in minutes if your cat has leukemia. If the test shows positive for leukemia then there is no need to vaccinate against it. Vaccinating against leukemia will be ineffective. Your veterinarian will go over other options at that time. If the leukemia test is negative then they will start your cat with the series of leukemia vaccines
Prevention Through Vaccines
There are different manufacturers for the leukemia vaccines such as Pfizer, Fort Dodge and Merial. These vaccines offer protection and control but they are not 100% effective. Feline leukemia vaccines consist of two vaccines that are given three weeks apart. Kittens can get the feline leukemia shot as early as eight weeks. Once your cat has had the two vaccines, the leukemia vaccine should be then given once a year. If for any reason he is late on the yearly leukemia vaccine, it is recommended that you re-test him before vaccinating again. Vaccinating your cat with the feline leukemia vaccine is the only way to prevent and control the spreading of the feline leukemia virus.