Keeping cats safe from FIV and feline leukemia

When I was a kid, my family took in a young Balinese kitten from a breeder that could not sell him due to a heart defect. My sister and I spent countless hours playing with him and carrying him around and never giving him a moment’s rest. Shortly after he came to us, though, he started to act funny. He was lethargic and unkempt and you could feel his backbone when you pet him. We rushed him to the vet and were horrified to learn that our sweet young kitten, who had been so happy and playful since we got him, was dying from Feline Leukemia. He passed away the next day, just two weeks after arriving at our house.

Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and another similar virus, FIV (Feline AIDS), are two serious illnesses that, surprisingly, most cat owners know little about.  At the shelter, all cats are tested for these illnesses upon arrival but, once they go home, they are still at risk of getting either of these viruses. If you’re a cat owner, it’s important to know the causes and symptoms of both of these illnesses in order to keep your pet safe.

Transmission

Feline AIDS is most commonly spread from one cat to another through deep bite wounds. Feline Leukemia, on the other hand, is a lot easier to transmit as it is passed on through body fluids such as saliva and urine. That means one cat can pass it to another through grooming, sharing a litter box, and even food and water dishes.

Symptoms

FIV and FeLV have several symptoms in common. Both can cause enlarged lymph nodes, fever, weight loss, diarrhea, and changes in behavior. Additionally, FIV positive cats can also suffer from frequent urination, conjunctivitis, skin redness and hair loss, and wounds that won’t heal. Much like my own kitten, cats with FeLV do not always show signs of illness right away but, when they do, look for seizures, abscesses, jaundice, and lethargy. If you think your cat may have FIV or FeLV, bring them to your vet right away to be tested. 

Treatment

Unfortunately, neither virus can be cured. FeLV cats are unlikely to live beyond a couple years if they are infected, but some FIV positive cats have been known to live for many years with the illness. In both cases, cats are most at risk of getting secondary illnesses such as kidney failure and various forms of cancer. A balanced diet will help your cat stay healthy against other illnesses and your vet may prescribe medications to help boost his or her immune system.

Prevention

The best way to prevent your pet from contracting either illness is to keep them safe indoors. Remember that, while your cat may stay close to home, another cat that is FIV or FeLV positive can still find its way into your yard. It is also important to be careful about bringing other animals into your home, such as stray cats. Remember that a cat with either illness may not display any signs of being sick. Before bringing any new animal into your home, make sure they are tested for both FIV and FeLV.

Vaccines are available for both viruses but are not 100% effective.  Also, cats vaccinated against FIV will test positive for the virus after vaccination, making it impossible to know if they’re genuinely sick or if the positive test is just a result of the vaccine. Talk to your vet about vaccinations to see if they’re recommended for your pet.

FIV and FeLV are both serious illnesses that no cat owner wants to experience with their pet. Be cognizant of your pet’s behavior and, most importantly, keep them indoors!

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with three parrots, two cats, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org