Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Flashcards
What type of virus causes FeLV?
RNA retrovirus (oncornavirus- cancer causing)
T or F. FeLV is the most pathogenic retrovirus in cats.
True, most cats with viremia will eventually die
What geographical distribution does FeLV have?
Worldwide
Who is the poster child for FeLV?
Outdoor (feral), male cats, 1-6 years old
How is FeLV transmitted?
Vertical & saliva/ nasal secretions (prolonged contact, especially grooming and same water source)
What are the 3 types of post-exposure infections?
- Abortive infection ( aka transient viremia, 1st viremia, 30%)
- Regressive infection (40%)
- Progressive infection (aka persistent viremia, 2nd viremia, 30%)
Which type of infection develops neutralizing antibodies and clears the infection in 4-6 weeks?
Abortive infection (transient viremia)- test for antigen, so if + you have virus
Which type of infection usually results in death at 2-3 years?
Progressive infection (persistent viremia)
Where does the virus go during regressive infection?
Bone marrow, spleen, and liver > into cell > provirus into cat’s genome/ DNA
No viremia, no transmission, no replication (hard to diagnose at this stage)
Rare to cause clinical signs
How can FeLV cause cancer?
If the virus can get close to a regulatory gene during regressive infection
How long does it take to clear the abortive infection compared to the regressive infection?
4-6 weeks (abortive) vs. 16 months (regressive)
What signs will you see with FeLV?
Non specific signs (problems making cells), secondary infections (immunosuppressive; cutaneous abscesses, oral inflammation), neoplasia (lymphoma, leukemia), V/D, icterus, rhinitis, pneumonia
Also glomerulonephritis, ocular signs, and neurologic abnormalities
What will you see in the lab work for FeLV?
Non-regenerative anemia (macrocytosis), thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia
Also, myelodysplasia or leukemia, proteinuria
Who are you going to test?
Sick cats, cats before adoption, and cats with known exposure (after 28 days)
At least once in the cat’s life
How are you going to diagnose FeLV?
ELISA (+ in abortive and progressive infection) and IFA (+ only after bone marrow infection, contagious)
How do you prevent FeLV?
- House cats indoors
- Test and separate seropositive cats
- Vaccinate negative cats (kittens and cats at sustained risk)
- Avoid sharing litter boxes and water bowls
- Test new cats
- Flea control (fleas can carry virus from one cat to another)
- Disinfect and wash hands at the vet
- PE every 6 months (CBC)
- Spay and neuter
