How is viral leukemia of cats transmitted? Symptoms and Treatment

Almost everyone in the house has a four-legged friend. Pets, just like people, can get sick. In order for the disease not to harm the animal, it is necessary to diagnose it in time and begin treatment. Viral leukemia of cats is infrequent. Not every pet owner knows what it is. Detailed information about the disease you can find in our article.

What is viral leukemia?

Viral leukemia of cats is a retroviral disease. The disease weakens the immunity of the animal. Leukemia affects various cells and reduces the protective functions of the body. That is why the pet becomes susceptible to a wide variety of diseases.

In common people, leukemia is anemia. The meaning of the word has become widely known due to the special literature. Over time, the term "leukemia" was replaced by "leukemia". The new name of the disease was suggested by V. Ellerman. It is believed that the term "leukemia" more accurately characterizes the process that takes place in the body of the patient. At the moment it is believed that leukemia is a disease of a tumor nature. This disease often affects agricultural birds. The disease causes significant damage to the economy, as the level of productivity in feathered patients declines.

Pathogen of leukemia

Viral leukemia of cats can affect other animals. The causative agent of the disease is oncovirus. It belongs to the group of retroviruses. When infection can form tumors. Viruses have a spherical shape. Leukemia cells rapidly lose activity at high temperatures. When heated to 70 degrees Celsius, the virus is deactivated after 30 minutes. If the temperature rises to 85 degrees, leukemia cells die after 10 seconds. They remain active for about 3 years. The virus is sensitive to ether and chloroform.

Symptoms of the disease

Viral leukemia is not so common in cats. Symptoms of the disease, however, absolutely everyone should know. This is not accidental, because the sooner the disease is diagnosed, the faster the pet will be able to cope with it. The further the virus actively develops in the body, the weaker the animal will be.

Viral leukemia of cats is a chronic disease. It can develop faster or slower depending on many factors. People who keep a large number of different animals in the house know what viral leukemia is in cats. Symptoms are not specific. You can easily identify only a secondary disease. However, there are signs that you can find out that a cat may have leukemia. As a rule, the pet raises temperature. Usually the responsible owners know the average temperature of their four-legged friend. If you notice that your cat at least several times a week there is sluggishness and loss of interest in games, you should look at it. It is also necessary to measure the temperature. Its increase indicates a weakening of the body.

It is difficult to diagnose viral leukemia of cats. Symptoms of the virus can be varied. Nutrition is an indicator of well-being. To a cat that has recently had a poor appetite, you should take a closer look. The animal can also actively lose its weight.
Diseases of the skin and problems with the intestines - this is another factor by which you can determine whether a cat has leukemia. An animal with leukemia can be recognized by abundant salivation. It is impossible not to notice it. At the last stages of the disease, the cat looks weak and sick.

Clinical picture

The initial stage of the disease lasts up to 16 weeks. During this period, the cat increases lymph nodes. This stage can lead to the development of the disease in three ways.

In the first case, the viral cells are in saliva and blood for a small period of time, namely up to 12 weeks. The development of infection ends in the full recovery of the cat. She acquires lifelong immunity. The animal is not a carrier of the disease.

In the second case, the virus is in the blood and saliva for more than 12 weeks. The disease develops and progresses. Over time, the animal dies.

In the latter case, the virus after some time disappears from the blood and saliva. However, it remains in the bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes. Such animals isolate the infection into the environment. Over time, clinical symptoms can develop. In this case, the infection multiplies and depresses the immune system of the pet. Secondary diseases develop, namely toxoplasmosis, peritonitis and respiratory diseases. Over time, the animal may also develop anemia. There may be bleeding. The cat has a painful neoplasm or enlarged lymph nodes.

Diagnosis of the disease

Many are afraid of viral leukemia of cats. Symptoms and treatment of this disease are individual. The owner of the pet should contact the veterinarian as soon as possible in the event that he noticed that the cat behaves unnaturally. She may have fever and vomiting. In order to exclude the fact of the disease, it is necessary to submit 2 analyzes. The results should be negative. It is worth noting that the tests are given with a 2-week interval.

There are several methods for determining the virus in the blood, urine and saliva of a cat. Experts recommend using at least two different options. Diagnosis is based on the detection of antigens in the body.

There is also a visual diagnosis, which allows you to notice inflamed lymph nodes in the intestine or other internal organs. As a result, a veterinary clinic specialist may prescribe additional examinations. Carry out a diagnosis with a time interval of several weeks for a reason. This is due to the fact that in some cases the disease does not appear immediately.

Spread of the disease

Viral leukemia is one of the factors of high mortality among cats. This species of animal has a risk of developing many serious diseases. They can have cancer and anemia. Experts argue that most of the feline dies after infection after 3-4 years. An infected cat becomes a source of the disease among other animals. Infection can spread with saliva, feces, urine, and also with milk. However, the virus can not survive in the environment. Infection is possible only with close contact between animals.

It is known that viruses spread most actively with prolonged interaction between animals. Infection can occur during sexual contact and feeding from a single dish. It is believed that the most common method of transmitting the disease is a bite. In this case, the virus gets directly into the blood. If you are sure that your pet did not leave the house, did not walk on the street and did not communicate with other people's cats, but the symptoms are very similar to those we described above, you can not especially worry: he does not have viral leukemia of cats. Diagnosis, according to experts of veterinary clinics, should be carried out in the event that the pet for a long time in contact with the sick animal.

Virus and Man

Almost everyone in the house has a cat or cat. These animals have become for many not just pets, but also close friends. Many believe that viral leukemia of cats is transmitted to humans. Is it so? About this and many other things you can learn from our article.

Viral leukemia of cats is a very serious disease. It is transferred from one pet to another regardless of his age. It is worth noting that feline leukemia can not be transmitted to humans. This is not accidental, because felines have a completely different structure of the organism. The disease can not be transmitted to other animals either. An infected cat can become a source of disease only for a cat.

Treatment

How is viral leukemia cured? Treatment, unfortunately, can not completely rid the animal of the disease. You can use the drugs to eliminate the symptoms that occur in the cat. The therapy is, as a rule, supportive. Only a veterinarian can prescribe the drug. The treatment regimen is selected individually. This is due to the fact that the disease can take various forms and has different effects on the body of a cat. The choice of antibacterial drug directly depends on the localization of the pathological process.

Often used immunomodulators, such as "Betalleykin", "Gala-vet" and others. In a specialized veterinary clinic, the cat may also be prescribed hemopoiesis stimulants, such as "Epokrin" and "Erythrostin." The animal is also prescribed immunosuppressors. They are taken only at a certain stage of the disease. Immunosuppressors give the animal only under the strict supervision of the attending physician.
If the form of the disease is chronic, the pet is prescribed immunomodulators, such as "Virbagen Omega." The drug is not certified on the territory of the Russian Federation. It is for this reason that it will need to be ordered in other countries. And its cost is quite high.

Chemotherapy can also be used in the treatment. As a consequence, the size of the lymphomas decreases. However, remission is short-lived. After a few months, a second course of chemotherapy will be required. Also, blood transfusion is practiced.

Not the last place in the treatment is diet. In no case should you give the cat and leukemia raw foods. As we said earlier, the disease makes the animal susceptible to a wide variety of infections. Raw meat is especially dangerous. It can contain a huge number of harmful microorganisms.

In viral leukemia, cats should regularly use drugs to combat helminths and fleas. These parasites also significantly weaken the body, so it is important not to let them appear. Preventive measures will not take you much time.

Cats with a serious condition can be hospitalized to stabilize the state of health. It is important not to let the pet in free-range. It is necessary not to let a sick cat to healthy animals. It is worth noting that in some cases, veterinarians can perform an operation to remove the emerging tumor neoplasms. Mandatory treatment of the oral cavity (cleaning or removing the teeth).

Prevention

Every owner needs to know how to protect his cat from viral leukemia. In order to protect the animal from the disease, it will be necessary to follow a few simple rules.

1. It is important to periodically wash the litter of cats in high temperature water.
2. After contact with other people's pets, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap.
3. It will also be necessary to place shoes in a place inaccessible to a cat.

The vaccine against viral leukemia of cats is the only way to save the animal. The most common preparation for vaccination in the Russian Federation is Leucocel. He creates immune protection after a few weeks. It persists throughout the year. Then the vaccination should be repeated.

Testing before vaccination

Before vaccination, the cat should be inspected. First of all, it will be necessary to test the animal for the presence of antigens in its body. If the cat is infected, it is pointless to do the inoculations.

A vaccine for viral leukemia of cats may not be administered to kittens. This is possible if their parents were not infected. It is worth noting that in the pedigree cats of pedigreed cats regular testing for antigen. Usually the procedure is repeated several times a year.

Express diagnostics in St. Petersburg

Since 2009 in St. Petersburg, owners of cats can take advantage of express diagnostics of leukemia. The pet can receive a full clinical examination. The cat will also need to pass an analysis for immunodeficiency and peritonitis. Specialists will make an ultrasound of the kidney of an animal. In addition, the owner of the pet will receive a consultation from a therapist's doctor.

Viral leukemia and viral immunodeficiency

Viral leukemia and immunodeficiency are quite similar diseases. Symptoms that occur with these diseases are similar. Both pathologies are retroviral. These diseases completely depress the immune system. However, they have significant differences. Viral immunodeficiency depresses only mature cells. Leukemia affects the blood-forming organs and changes the structure of the cells. With leukemia, cats have cancerous growths. In the immunodeficiency virus this is not observed. Only an expert can establish an accurate diagnosis.

Let's sum up the results

Many are afraid of viral leukemia of cats. Prevention of the disease is not particularly difficult and does not require a lot of time, so any owner can protect his four-legged friend from infection. The disease, which was diagnosed in time, will not bring any discomfort to the cat in the future. The timely treatment can completely eliminate possible symptoms.