Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that causes immunodeficiency and neoplastic disease in domestic cats.Feline leukemia virus causes fever, anorexia and lethargy. Persistent infection may also cause weight loss, diarrhea, nasal or ocular discharge and other nonspecific signs such as weakness, muscle atrophy and inappetence. This infection can also cause abortion and infertility.Most cases of FeLV infection are caused by exposure to saliva or blood from the oral or nasal secretions of infected cats.
There are three types of feline leukemia viruses (FeLV), and all of these viruses are a type of retrovirus. How an infected cat is affected by the virus depends on what type of strains the cat is carrying. The three types of feline leukemia viruses are FeLV-A, FeLV-B, and FeLV-C.FeLV-A is found in all cats infected with feline leukemia. This is the form of the virus that is used for making feline leukemia virus vaccinations.
Cats infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) have weakened immune systems. While there is no cure for feline leukemia, supportive therapies can help manage the infections and illnesses in FeLV-positive cats.There is no realistic way to eliminate FeLV infection in cats. The goals of treatment are to control the clinical signs caused by secondary infections and to control blood-related abnormalities.FeLV-positive cats should be kept indoors and away from other animals. FeLV-positive cats should also be