FELV is retrovirus, a family of viruses which has many members. It is considered to be the most common cause of serious illness and death in domestic cats. It causes a breakdown in your cat's immune system causing your cat to become susceptible to many diseases which it might otherwise be able to fight off. If you are considering taking a stray cat into your home, you shuld probably consider having teste for FELV, as well as any other possible diseases. This should espeically be considered if you already have cats in your home. FELV should be suspected and investigated under all circumstances that your cat becomes severely ill. Some cats that survive may develop cancer.
Spread:
FELV is typically spread when the saliva of an infected cat comes into contact with another cat. This can occur from mutual licking and grooming, shared food/water dishes, and litter boxes. Exposure to FELV does not always lead to infection. Prolonged, extensive cat-to-cat contact is required for efficient spread, because the virus is rapidly inactivated by warmth and drying.
Possible Signs:
anemia, depression, jaundice, weight loss, decreased appetite, diarrhea or constipation, blood in the stool, enlarged lymph nodes, respiratory distress. decreased stamina, excessive drinking and urination, chronic colds, pneumonia, skin and mouth soars.
Cure:
As of yet there is no cure for FELV.
Vaccines:
A vaccine against FIP exists, but cats must be atleast 16wks. old before being vaccinated. By this time they might have been exposed by their littermates or other cats, therefore the vaccine may not be effective.
Prevention in Multi Cat Households:
It is recommended that positive and negative cats not be housed together. If you must keep a positive cat be sure it is kept away from all the negative cats, in it's own room with its own food dishes, water dishes, and litter box.
Cleaning:
The virus can survive for a number of weeks in the environment. However, it is rapidly inactivated by most household detergents and disinfectants. Thoroughly disinfect or replace food/water dishes, litter pans, and bedding that were used by the infected cat. Tile or hard surfaced floors should be cleaned and disinfected with a diluted beach solution. (approx. 4oz. household bleach to 1gal. water). Thoroughly vaccume rugs to elimate the virus from carpeting.
Euthanasia:
The idea of euthanizing a positive cat is one that must be addressed in each individual case, in consultation with the attending vet.
Other Illnesses
Feline AIDs & Feline Leukemia
Feline Distemper
Some of the proceding has been adapted from the Cornell Feline Health Center's Information on Feline Infectious Peritonitis and other veterinary resources.
It is presented for informational use only.
Please see your veterinarian if you suspect any illnesses in your pet(s).