Infectious dz: Cat 3 Flashcards
What feline virus is worldwide and accounts for the most disease related deaths in pet cats?
Feline leukemia virus
retrovirus (needs DNA for replication)
What tissues does FeLV replicate in?
Bone marrow, salivary glands, respiratory epithelium
T/F: Endogenous FeLV passed down from mother to kitten is non pathogenic
TRUE
Exogenic FeLV that is passed horizontally from cat to cat is pathogenic and infectious –> FeLV-A
Cats who have endogenous inherited FeLV are more prone to get the pathogenic form
What is the FeLV associated gag protein that is produced in large quantities in infected cats?
gag protein P27
this is used as the antigen to test for FeLV infections
What cats are more likely to get FeLV, young or adult cats?
Adults - since they have more time for exposure
Outdoor cats and male cats are of greater risk
What is the mode of transmission of FeLV?
Close contact virus shedding
Saliva (predominantly) and blood
Vertical spread possible when queen is viremic (transplacental or nursing)
T/F: FeLV is very stable in the environment
FALSE
It is readily inactivated in the environment and easy to clean/disinfect
What is an abortive type FeLV infection?
Cats that have very high neutralizing effects - once they get exposed to the FeLV antigen their immune system will immediately destroy it.
These cats will never get infected and will always test negative for FeLV antigen
What is a regressive type FeLV infection?
cats test positive - then will become and test negative in a few months (3-6 weeks)
- once the virus begins replicating in the cells the immune system will kick in and stop any more replication
- The virus will still be present in their genome - but the viremia will be cleared
- if the cat becomes immunosuppressed - the virus could become active again (or in pregnancy)
- The cat will always be PCR positive for FeLV - but will be Negative for the p27 antigen
What is a progressive type FeLV infection?
These cats do not have a properly functioning immune system
the virus will replicate and spread all over
- these cats remain viremic (positive for FeLV antigen)
- tend to die within 3 years
What is an atypical or focal type FeLV infection?
Not really seen in clinical practice
noted in lab/virus induced animals - where the virus will be restricted to certain tissues like the spleen, LN, Small intestine, or mammary glands
(p27 antigen positive OR negative)
What clinical signs are associated with FeLV?
Hematopoietic malignancy, myelosuppression, infectious dz, various co-infections, Fading kitten syndrome (born with fatal viremia), neuropathy
What modes of diagnostic testing are used to diagnose FeLV ?
Direct detection of the virus - Look for p27 antigen using ELISA
*Direct FA testing
PCR (this will be positive even in a regressive cat - but could be helpful to link lymphoma to a previous FeLV infection)
T/F: Antibody detection is a good method to diagnose FeLV
FALSE
useless - immune cats will have antibodies
Antigen testing is ideal (p27)
what is the treatment for regressive FeLV positive cats?
Separate from FeLV negative cats and confine indoors to prevent spread to other cats
- good nutrition and husbandry
- exam, blood work, fecal, urine culture - yearly to ensure no underlying infections
(if the cat can not be separated from other FeLV NEG cats - the Neg cats should be vaccinated)