How to treat leukemia in cats

Favourable conditions for the development of leucosis are present at unscrupulous fraudulent "breeders", who only care about the profit from selling their kittens. They violate the sanitary rules of housing, there is a large overcrowding of animals – all this contributes to the spread of the virus. So if you are worried about the health of cats, never contact such scammers.

The first symptoms of feline leukemia – is there a cure?

The disease is not curable, but it is very contagious and ends in the death of the cat. Therefore, it is very important to follow preventive measures and show the animal periodically to the veterinarian.

The causative agent of leukemia belongs to the RNA viruses of the retrovirus family.

It has a high oncogenicity, i.e. it is able to cause the cell to change into a tumor cell.

The virus parasitizes blood cells, destroys their genetic code, thus changing the blood composition and reducing the body's resistance.

First, the virus enters the nasopharynx, multiplies in the tonsils and lymphatic system. Then it spreads throughout the body. It is able to rearrange its genome so that it penetrates bone marrow cells and becomes a matrix that forms new molecules of the leukemia virus. That's why it's very difficult to fight it.

Leukemia is a viral disease of cats, in which the blood contains many young immature leukocytes. It is manifested by anemia, unexplained subfebrile fever, chronic bleeding. The immune system is weakened, so cats can easily fall ill. The most frequent ones are liver diseases, cystitis, peritonitis, glomerulonephritis, respiratory diseases, abscesses. Mammary gland lesions occur in females, miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant females. If live cubs are born, they soon die because they are already infected. They develop fading kitten syndrome.

Leukemia is chronic and latent. It is a dangerous, highly contagious, and incurable disease. It is also called blood cancer, white blood disease, viral leukemia. Cats of all ages, sexes and breeds are affected. However, the most susceptible are kittens, older animals and cats with low immunity.

Feline leukemia is not contagious to humans and dogs because it has a different genome.

Pathways of transmission of the leukemia virus

The leukemia virus is quite unstable. It quickly perishes from sunlight, disinfectants. But it is highly contagious, that is, it is transmitted very quickly. Ways of infection:

The first symptoms of leukemia in cats – what to look out for

From the nasopharynx, the virus enters other organs with the movement of lymph. At this time, the process can still be stopped. But just during this period, no symptoms are observed. This is the insidiousness of the Leukemia virus.

And when the bone marrow cells start to break down, then there are already signs and it is difficult to help the pet. Therefore, it is very important to be examined by a veterinarian twice a year.

When the virus begins to spread, the blood test will have an elevated level of lymphocytes. Then there is a chance to stop the disease.

Sometimes the animal manages to recover on its own if its body has developed antibodies.

• drowsiness;
• cat is lethargic, does not want to play;
• appetite is reduced ;
• often has a low, unexplained fever;
• The cat becomes frequently ill with respiratory infections;
• digestive diseases;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• pale mucous membranes – a sign of anemia;
• poor blood clotting;
• Increased discharge from the eyes and nose.

As leukemia progresses, there are illnesses that are severe due to a decrease in immunity. Tumors may appear. Depending on which organ or system is more affected, there are signs specific to leukemia:

1. When abdominal organs are affected, inguinal lymph nodes increase, constipation or diarrhea occurs, mucous membranes become jaundiced.
2. Organs of the thoracic cavity – because of the accumulation of fluid appears difficult breathing, choking attacks.
3. Kidneys – dehydration, intoxication, uremia.
4. The spinal cord – shaky gait, coordination disorders, limb paralysis.

Several organs may also be affected at the same time. Because of this, leukemia is difficult to diagnose and treat.

Leukemia in cats – the nature of the disease, symptoms and treatment

Signs of leukemia of a viral nature, occurring in domestic cats, in the very first stages of manifestation have a similar clinical picture to the ailments caused by pathogenic bacterial microflora or viral infection, disrupting the digestive tract and respiratory organs.

Factors such as the age of the pet, the state of the body's defenses, the stage of the disease and the amount of viral agents in the body play an important role in the degree of manifestation of the disease. The main signs of leukemia in cats, are:

• Severe weakness of the animal;
• The flow from the nasal cavity and eyes of the serous-purulent type;
• Significant enlargement of the lymph nodes located under the jaw;
• sharp and persistent rise in body temperature up to 40.5
• thinness of visible mucous membranes;
• problems in the respiratory system;
• dyspeptic disorders – decreased appetite, upsetting stools, eruption of gastric contents;
• sudden loss of body weight;
• inflammation of the eyelids;
• signs of general intoxication of the body.

The pet actively avoids contact with the owner, hides from bright light, becomes lethargic, refuses favorite foods and does not respond to stimuli. Pregnant cats may abort non-viable fetuses.

Clinical signs of viral leukemia in cats are the formation of malignant tumors – lymphomas, sarcomas, lymphosarcomas. Often there are noted disturbances in the functional features of renal structures and the liver.

Severe changes in the spinal cord in leukemia are accompanied by a violation of coordination, spasms in the muscular structures, paralysis of the hind or forelimbs.

Prevention and treatment

Treatment of viral leukemia in cats is quite difficult. The main therapeutic methods are aimed not at the elimination of pathogens, but at eliminating the manifestations of the disease, preventing the development of complications and raising the general defenses of the body. Preventing the accession of bacterial microflora is carried out by prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Immunosuppressants are also indicated, allowing to alleviate the general course of the disease. The prognosis for diagnosed viral leukemia is always cautious and in some cases not favorable. No cure has been developed to completely rid the animal's body of the virus, but supportive treatment greatly eases the course of the disease and increases the animal's immunity to fight the disease on its own.

In the most advanced cases of leukemia caused by the virus, treatment implies chemotherapy in an inpatient clinic under constant medical supervision.

Timely vaccinations will help protect the pet from leukemia. Vaccination does not completely rule out exposure to the virus, but after immunization, the animal, though it may become infected, will catch the disease more easily and without complications. Babies born of a timely vaccinated cat receive their immunity with their mother's milk. After 1.5 – 3 months, the immune defense weakens and kittens need to be vaccinated.

In developed countries, the Leukocel FeLV vaccine or Purevax is used. It is the best way to protect your pet from a dangerous viral disease. In addition to this, it is recommended that the pet's housing standards be followed. For example, the RNA-containing leukemia virus is known to be sensitive to high temperatures and disinfectant solutions.

Regular treatment of bedding, bedding and bowls of domestic cats will minimize the risks of leukemia virus infection.

Due to the high volume of questions received, free veterinary consultations have been temporarily suspended.

What is the life expectancy of cats with viral leukemia

If a cat has been diagnosed with viral leukemia, don't think that you will soon have to part with it. Usually, animals with this disease can live for several more years, usually 2 to 3 years. However, there have been cases where cats have lived longer, but it all depends on the strength of her body and how much the owner will help his whiskered pet. During this period it will have to protect it from hypothermia, contact with other animals and the street, to create her most comfortable environment at home and, of course, to provide complete, rich with vitamins nutrition.

Of course, at this time you can not knit the animal, because, firstly, it will take the last strength, and secondly, viral leukemia can pass to the kittens.

There are cases in veterinary practice when the cat's organism copes with FeLV-virus by itself, so this diagnosis is not a hundred percent verdict.

Prevention of viral leukemia in cats

As scary as this disease is, it is in our power to make sure that our pet never encounters it. There are vaccinations for this purpose. The first vaccination against viral leukemia in cats is given at 8 weeks, then at 12 weeks, and then once a year. Only there you can protect your whiskered pet from "feline AIDS".

However, if he has already been diagnosed with a terrible diagnosis, vaccination will do nothing, so do not put off vaccinations for later, when it will be too late.

The first symptoms of leukemia in cats – what to look out for

From the nasopharynx, the virus travels to other organs along with the movement of lymph. At this time, the process can still be stopped. But just during this period, no symptoms are observed. This is the insidiousness of the Leukemia virus.

And when the bone marrow cells start to break down, then there are already signs and it is difficult to help the pet. That is why it is very important to be examined by a veterinarian twice a year.

At the beginning of the spread of the virus there will be an increased level of lymphocytes in the blood test. Then there is a chance to stop the disease.

Sometimes the animal manages to recover on its own if its body has developed antibodies.

• drowsiness;
• the cat is lethargic, does not want to play;
• appetite is reduced;
• often raises a low unreasonable temperature;
• the animal has become frequently ill with respiratory infections;
• digestive diseases;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• pale mucous membranes – a sign of anemia;
• poor blood clotting;
• increased discharge from the eyes and nose.

As leukemia progresses, there are illnesses that are severe due to a decrease in immunity. Tumors may appear. Depending on which organ or system is more affected, there are signs specific to leukemia:

1. When abdominal organs are affected, inguinal lymph nodes enlarge, constipation or diarrhea appear, and mucous membranes become jaundiced.
2. Organs of the thoracic cavity – because of the accumulation of fluid appears difficult breathing, attacks of suffocation.
3. Kidneys – dehydration, intoxication, uremia.
4. Spinal cord – shaky gait, coordination disorders, limb paralysis.

Several organs can also be affected at the same time. Because of this, leukemia is difficult to diagnose and treat.

Treatment of leukemia

Leukemia is not treated completely, only supportive therapy is given. There are no drugs yet that kill the virus and don't damage the blood cells.

The doctor selects medications based on tests and the cat's condition. Treatment is symptomatic, immunomodulatory, and chemotherapy in case of tumor cells.

Directly blockers of virus replication in cells are drugs such as Raltegravir, Azidotimin. Feliferon, Roncoleukin are used to increase immunity. Chemotherapeutic drugs (Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide) reduce tumor tissue and prevent metastases. Cats also have tumors removed and blood transfusions.

Antibiotics are needed to avoid secondary infection. With a weakened immune system, this happens often. Vitamin and mineral complexes to maintain the general condition.

Symptomatic treatment is aimed at eliminating concomitant diseases that arise against the background of a weakened body. Nutrition should be adjusted, make a complete diet. Food should be of high quality. Meat should be boiled to exclude the ingress of bacteria.

The animal should be quarantined for life. No contact with healthy cats should be allowed. Cot, bowl, toys should be kept clean and periodically treated with disinfectants. Quartz the room.

The most effective prevention of leukemia is vaccination of cats. The most commonly used vaccines are Leukocel and Purevax FeLV. Immunity is formed for a year.

The disease ends up being fatal because of related diseases. How long the cat lives depends on its immunity.

With supportive treatment and good care, symptoms may not appear, but the animal is forever a carrier of the virus.

Due to the high volume of questions received, free veterinary consultations have been temporarily suspended.

Diagnosing Leukemia

In order to accurately diagnose the disease, it is necessary to take the cat or cat for a consultation with a veterinary specialist. At the appointment, he will perform the necessary examination for feline leukemia, which will help to identify the presence of this pathology and establish its form.

In order to establish the correct diagnosis, a number of tests are usually performed:

• polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is necessarily performed. Its essence is the study of peripheral blood;
• enzyme immunoassay. This procedure makes it possible to detect the presence of decay products, which can be formed during the active life activity of the organism;
• clinical blood analysis. It is used to detect leukocyte counts in the blood, anemia, and increased sedimentation.

If express tests for leukemia show negative results, and the cat has all the obvious signs of leukemia, they are repeated again, but after a certain period of time.

In addition to the above examinations, other procedures are additionally carried out – ultrasound, radiography. With their help, you can recognize the presence in the internal organs of malignant tumors. Sometimes such types of research as laparoscopy, colonoscopy, gastroscopy, biopsy can be performed.

Treatment of the disease

After a complete diagnosis and establishment of the presence of leukemia in cats, a veterinary specialist must prescribe an effective treatment.

Depending on the identified symptoms and forms of the disease, the treatment process may focus on eliminating the symptomatic manifestations of the disease. Therapy must also be prescribed to increase the animal's immunity.

To quickly prevent viral leukemia in cats, veterinary specialists prescribe a number of procedures and recommendations:

• To increase and strengthen the immunity, it is recommended to give the pet special medications with immunostimulating effect. The list of medicines is made by the veterinarian according to the condition of the sick animal. The most suitable drugs with immunostimulatory effect are considered – Interferon, Azidothymidine (AZT), Raltegravir;
• Blood transfusion has a good effect;
• If anemia develops, drugs to increase hemoglobin in the blood are prescribed;
• if the animal has oncology, chemotherapy is carried out. This procedure in most cases prevents the development of a pathological process.

Prevention

We all know that it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it. And in the case of leukemia in cats, the surest option is vaccination. At the Murkosha shelter we care about the health of our pets, so all our cats are vaccinated against leukemia and other infections on a mandatory basis.

Read more about vaccinations: Cat vaccinations – what, how, why?

If the animal has already been sick, it will need systematic follow-up with a specialist. Please note that such a cat should be the only pet in the family, so as not to infect another.

Maintain the immunity of your furry friend with the help of a quality balanced diet. Cleanliness and airing of the room play an important role in the prevention of leukemia in kittens.

Leukemia is a dangerous "invisible" at first. But an attentive owner will do everything necessary to protect their affectionate purr, and in case of disease will provide it a quality and decent life, strictly following the recommendations of the veterinarian.

Diagnosis at the veterinary clinic

The most informative test when diagnosing feline leukemia is a blood test. It includes 3 tests:

1. Clinical (general). Determines the increase in leukocytes and the presence of anemia. Informative at a late stage.
2. ELISA. Determines the presence of antibodies to the pathogen. Informative in any form of the course of the disease.
3. PCR. Determines the presence of viral RNA. Accuracy depends on the amount of pathogen entering the bloodstream. Not informative in transient form.

If there are no changes in the clinical test, the animal is diagnosed as transient (positive ELISA and negative PCR) or latent form (positive ELISA and PCR). If all three tests are positive at once, the diagnosis is prescribed for the persistent form.

Negative results in the presence of severe symptoms indicate poor blood sampling or the presence of a symptom-similar disease.

In addition to the tests listed above, the veterinarian may prescribe other tests. This is necessary to identify related diseases and their severity.

Treatment and future prognosis

Regardless of the symptoms, the treatment of viral leukemia in cats and cats is aimed at strengthening the immune system. There is no specific therapy for the infection, so the main emphasis is made on improving the condition of the animal and prolonging its life.

To do this, drugs that increase resistance to the pathogen and disrupt its reproduction are used. They reduce the viral load and the risk of infecting others. Despite this, complete recovery is only possible in the latent form.

Transfusions are used to normalize the indexes of the general blood analysis and eliminate anemia. It is important to understand that it gives only a temporary improvement, so one procedure is not enough.

Associated tumors are treated operatively or with chemotherapy, and respiratory diseases are treated with bronchodilators and infusion solutions. Gastrointestinal and renal problems are also treated with a therapeutic diet.

In the persistent form of the course, the diagnosis is not relieved for life. For the rest of its life, the pet must remain quarantined without the possibility of contact with other cats. In 90% of cases, death occurs 3-4 years after infection.

After the death of a sick person, all his personal belongings must be disposed of, and the house itself – disinfected and provaricated. Only after that can a new pet be taken into the family.

Treatment of viral leukemia in cats

Treatment of viral leukemia in cats is symptomatic. Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely cure the disease. The selected therapeutic technique will not only prevent the disease from developing, but will also prolong the life of the animal for more than a year.

The veterinarian selects medications depending on the condition of the cat, the results of the diagnosis and the symptoms of the disease.

If the cat's health begins to deteriorate, the veterinarian prescribes a course of immunomodulators (AZT, Feliferon, Raltegravir and others), antibiotics, vitamins and symptomatic drugs.

Blood transfusions have a good effect with leukemia. However, such a procedure will need to be carried out once every fourteen days. When oncology is diagnosed, chemotherapy is carried out to stop the pathological process.

In addition, it will be necessary to review the cat's diet and feed it only quality food that has undergone heat treatment to prevent pathogenic microflora from entering the body.

In addition to proper nutrition, the animal will need to be quarantined for life. This is especially important if there are other cats in the house. After interacting with a carrier of the virus, the owner should change clothes and wash their hands to avoid infecting other pets.

"Important information! It should be remembered that euthanasia is a measure of last resort and is used only when indicated, in other cases properly chosen therapy can prolong the animal's life and make it complete."

Why must leukemia be treated at an early stage?

Why is it extremely important to pick up a treatment regimen for viral leukemia in cats and start saving your pet as early as possible? Because by doing so, it will be possible to prevent the development of related diseases that lead to the death of the cat.

If the pet is not properly treated, it can lead to the development of:

• anemia;
• Lymphatic sarcoma;
• bleeding disorders;
• mammary gland cancer;
• Pregnancy failure;
• peritonitis;
• chronic cystitis;
• bacterial infections;
• autoimmune kidney problems;
• ascites;
• subfebrile;
• miscarriages;
• viral illnesses;
• toxoplasmosis.

If a sick cat becomes pregnant, it will give birth to infected offspring, which often do not survive due to lack of immunity. For this reason, it is extremely important for cattery owners to monitor the health of their wards.

Treatment of leukemia in cats

The method of treatment is selected only after high-quality differential diagnosis. It is important to identify which organs are already affected by malignant neoplasms. Unfortunately, it is not possible to cure the disease completely, but with the help of modern medicines, it is possible to prolong the life of the pet.

In the advanced stages of the pathology therapy does not give any results, so the diagnosis should be resorted to after the first signs of the disease.

An acquaintance took a kitten from a shelter who was constantly ill. They didn't have time to treat one disease before the other one appeared. As a result, the cat was taken for a full examination. The blood test showed the presence of leukemia, which really upset my friend. The kitty kept vomiting, would not get up and could not go to the bathroom. The veterinarian recommended a complex treatment including antiviral and other medications. The doctor also recommended a repeat blood test, which did not confirm the presence of leukemia. The cause of the animal's condition was not clear. As it turned out, the first result of the test was false positive, so it is recommended to give blood twice. What saved the cat is still not clear. However, we must remember that it is better to be reinsured and have the blood test twice, than to regret the lost time later.

Diagnostic methods

You can determine the viral infection by PCR diagnosis and enzyme immunoassay of blood. There is also a special tester that allows you to detect leukemia at home. This method does not give a 100% reliable result, but helps to suspect the presence of the pathogen in the body. This method determines the presence of characteristic antibodies in the animal's blood. The procedure is performed by a veterinarian who brings a special tester with him. After drawing blood, the doctor must wait for 15 minutes. Two colored bands indicate a positive result, one negative.

Prevention of the disease

To prevent infection, the following rules should be observed:

1. Avoid contact of the cat with street animals.
2. Several times a week wash the floor with chlorine-containing substances.
3. Wash the cat's bedding once every 3 months at high temperature.
4. Prevent your pet from accidentally mating with other animals.
5. Keep the cat outdoors.
6. Give vitamins to support normal immune function.
7. Avoid low quality food.
8. At the first symptoms of leukemia, contact your veterinarian and do not self-treat.

The best way to prevent infection is timely vaccination, which includes the use of drugs that can remain active for a year.

Risk group

• elderly animals;
• cats after surgery that are frequently outdoors;
• pets exposed to mating with untested animals that may be carriers of the virus;
• Cats infested with fleas and other blood-sucking insects;
• Animals in a shelter.

If a pregnant pet has leukemia, the virus is easily transmitted to her kittens. Infection also occurs during feeding.

Testing Before Vaccination

Before the vaccine is administered, the cat is tested for the virus in question. This procedure takes no more than 15 minutes. How the testing is done:

1. The doctor draws blood from the cat.
2. Then he takes a separate test system and places 10 µl of the animal's blood on it. This manipulation is performed using an automatic pipette.
3. After 15 minutes, the veterinarian evaluates the result. If the test confirms the presence of the virus, no vaccination is performed.