Feline retrovirus (Yr 2) Flashcards
what retroviruses effect cats?
feline leukaemia virus
feline immunodeficiency virus
feline syncytium forming virus
what are the three subtypes of FeLV?
A, B, C
what is the only subtypes of FeLV that is transmissible?
A
what are the syndromes caused by FeLV?
reproductive failure
anaemia
immunodeficiency
neoplasia
(RAIN)
how is FeLV transmitted?
excreted in saliva, urine, faeces and milk so requires close contact (also possible transplacental)
what does the pathogenesis of FeLV depend on?
how effective the immune response is when a cat becomes infected
what is the pathogenesis of FeLV if that cat mounts a strong immune response?
ingestion of virus which replicates in oropharynx and local LN causing a primary viraemia
this can then be effectively dealt with but the cat will be persistently infected or cure
what is the pathogenesis of FeLV if that cat mounts a weak immune response?
ingestion of virus which replicates in oropharynx and local LN causing a primary viraemia
replication then occurs in other tissues such as bone marrow and lymphoid tissues, this sets up a persistent viraemia causing clinical disease and death
when is a cat most likely to become persistently infected with FeLV?
young age, the likelihood of them becoming persistently infected decreases with age
what are the four types of lymphoma?
mediastinal (thymic)
multicentric
alimentary
leukaemic
what cats typically develop mediastinal lymphoma from FeLV?
young (3 years old)
what are the clinical signs of mediastinal lymphoma from FeLV?
tachypnoea, dyspnoea
regurgitation, weight loss
muffled heart sounds
what is a classic sign seen with most FeLV patients?
anaemia (most common cause is FeLV in cats)
what can cause anaemia in FeLV patients?
total marrow aplasia or red cell aplasia (primary)
space occupying lesions in bone marrow or haemolytic anaemia (secondary)
what is fading kitten syndrome?
kittens born persistently infected with FeLV
how can FeLV be controlled?
test and remove (euthanise/rehome)
vaccinate
one food bowl per cat
how can FeLV be treated?
supportive (interferon may help)
treat lymphomas but other problems will develop
what type of virus causes feline immunodeficiency virus?
lentivirus (related to HIV)
what cats is FIV mainly seen in?
older free roaming male cats (transmitted by biting/fighting)
how is FIV transmitted?
saliva (mainly though biting)
what cells does FIV infect?
lymphocytes, macrophages, astrocytes
how is FIV prevented/controlled?
vaccine
prevent fighting
isolate infected cats
what is the difference between diagnosing FeLV and FIV?
FeLV uses antigen
FIV uses antibody
why is antigen used to diagnose FeLV?
many can have a latent infection along with being vaccinated so most cats will be antibody positive
why is antibody used to diagnose FIV?
antibody levels remain high for most of infection, cats also can’t clear infection so there will always be antibodies when affected
