Vaccine for feline viral leukemia

For cats, complications after vaccination may appear in the form of a small lump at the place of injection of the vaccine – it is not dangerous and will disappear on its own after a while. In rare cases the vaccine may cause an individual intolerance (allergic reaction), which will be treated symptomatically. Such a reaction usually occurs as soon as the allergen enters the body, so the doctor at the clinic can promptly take action. Another complication specific to cats is post-injection sarcoma, which, unfortunately, can develop at the site of any injection. This is a rare complication (according to various data, one animal out of 6-12 thousand), however, there are recommendations to vaccinate not in the withers area, but in the distal parts of the limbs or tail. It is also recommended to change the injection sites every year when vaccinating. You can leave information about the location in the passport, so that at revaccination a year later there will be no questions about where the cat was vaccinated.

The first symptoms of leukemia in cats – is treatment possible

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 runs chronically, secretly. It is a dangerous, highly contagious and incurable disease. They also call it blood cancer, white blood, viral leukemia. Cats of any age, sex and breed can get the disease. However, kittens, older animals and cats with low immunity are most susceptible.

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. 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 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 diseases that are severe due to decreased 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 appears, mucous membranes become jaundiced.
2. Organs of the chest – because of the accumulation of fluid appears difficult breathing, choking attacks.
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.

Vaccine against feline leukemia

There are several different types of vaccines against feline viral leukemia. In Russia, only a viral recombinant vaccine (manufacturer Purevax, brand name Purevax FeLV) is most commonly used. The vaccine against feline viral leukemia does not belong to the basic recommendations of WSAVA but should be recommended for all cats that are at risk and may have contacts with infected animals. Cats that are free to walk around on the street are most often infected, but even living with a former street cat carries the risk of infection. Therefore, if you have cats that might be carriers of the virus, it is advisable to vaccinate your pets.

In shelters and catteries a very careful attitude towards the prevention of infection is obligatory; often leukemia is transmitted to kittens from infected parents.

Vaccination against feline viral leukemia

Cats that are already carriers of FeLV cannot be vaccinated. Therefore, before vaccination it is mandatory to serological testing for antibodies to the leukemia virus. It is possible to guarantee that a cat is not a carrier only in relatively rare cases – for example, kittens from parents with negative test results, who have had no contacts with other animals, will also be FeLV negative. At our clinic in Moscow the testing is done by express tests, so it can be done immediately on the day of the supposed vaccination, it does not take much time.

The first vaccination, for cats at risk, especially in shelters, can be recommended for kittens as early as 8 weeks of age, with mandatory revaccination after 2-4 weeks.

The primary vaccination against leukemia is always carried out twice with an interval of no more than 4 weeks. If 5-6 weeks pass after the first vaccination, it is necessary to vaccinate again and revaccinate 2-4 weeks later, otherwise a strong enough immunity will not develop. The same rule applies to adult animals – the first vaccination is always double. Then you can revaccinate annually. There is information that cats become more resistant to the infection with age and can be revaccinated against FeLV once every 3 years after 3 years. However, clinically reliable immunity when vaccinated with the Pourevax FeLV vaccine available in Russia has been determined to last 12-14 months, so we recommend annual revaccination. Repeated revaccinations (except for the first one) are given once.

A single primary vaccination against feline leukemia will not be protection against the disease.

The vaccination is given only to clinically healthy animals. Before vaccination, the cat must be examined by a doctor, conducts (for the first vaccination) serological testing. We repeat that for cats already being carriers of the virus the vaccination against leukemia is useless (in some cases it can be harmful).

Vaccines for feline leukemia virus

• Purevax FeLv is a recombinant neoadjuvant vaccine. It induces an immune response in the body, but is not able to acquire reversible virulence, i.e., lead to the disease. The first time cats are recommended to be vaccinated twice, three weeks apart, then revaccinated annually. Before vaccination, it is recommended to get tested for feline leukemia virus.
• Nobivac FeLv is an inactivated adjuvanted vaccine that creates immunity with an estimated duration of two years.

The Nobivac vaccine was 50% more effective than Purevax, but remember that adjuvanted vaccines increase the risk of post-injection sarcoma.

Special Precautions and Personal Precautions

No drug incompatibility has been noted. It is not recommended to use Felovax-4 against the background of antibiotic therapy, since it reduces the immune response.

Adequate immune response can be reduced in animals exposed to stress, unfavorable environmental conditions, improper feeding, as well as in case of violation of vaccination instructions.

When working with the vaccine Felovax-4 general rules of personal hygiene and safety precautions provided for veterinary drugs should be followed.

Used vaccine vials and syringes are to be flombed or disinfected in a suitable disinfectant and disposed of.

FELOVAX-4 storage conditions

The vaccine should be stored and transported in a dry place protected from light at 2° to 8°C.

The prescription information contained on this website is for professionals only. The information contained herein should not be used by patients as a substitute for personal medical advice.

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Which cats need the leukemia vaccination?

• Cats that are planning to be bred: All cats in breeding should be vaccinated against leukemia
• If the cat goes outdoors: lives in a private home with access to the plot or is taken out to the cottage
• If several cats live together: catteries, shelters

If your cat fits into at least one category we strongly recommend regular vaccination against viral leukemia

Can a cat get infected with the viral leukemia vaccine?

No, it is absolutely impossible. Either an inactivated (killed) vaccine or a recombinant vaccine is used, as in the case of Purevax FeLV, which uses a canary virus that is completely harmless to cats.

It is recommended to test the cat with a rapid test before the first vaccination. The test is performed on the day of vaccination and takes no more than one hour. The verification is done so that cats infected with leukemia are not vaccinated. It is also safe to vaccinate cats that are infected, but there will be no benefit from vaccination either.

How are cats and cats vaccinated against leukemia?

Vaccination against the dangerous leukemia virus is necessary for all cats and cats!

An important rule, before the planned vaccination, the veterinarian necessarily conducts a special test of the pet for the presence of the leukemia virus in the body. If the test result is negative, then the specialist establishes the following sequence of procedures:

• The first vaccination should be given to small kittens at 2-3 months of age.
• Revaccination (booster vaccination) takes place 4 weeks later.
• Subsequent revaccinations are repeated at one year of age and then no more often than once every 2-3 years.

Important to know! The leukemia shot poses absolutely no danger

Remember! Vaccinating an infected animal is absolutely ineffective.

How does viral leukosis infection happen?

Leukemia is transmitted with saliva, urine and feces. In rare situations, the infection is transmitted by contaminated objects, but this possibility is low. Viral leukemia infection usually occurs through close contact between cats, most often through licking, mating, and eating from shared food bowls.

Vaccination against leukemia is mandatory in the following cases:

Vaccination against viral leukemia should also be done in other situations, since it is almost impossible to cure cats of this disease, and the chance of infection is always present. Vaccine the fluffy pet should be vaccinated against all diseases, the more so that the procedure is not particularly difficult. After the vaccination, the owner of the cat can be sure that it is not threatened by anything.

When should the first vaccination be given?

The vaccine reliably protects the pet from viral leukemia and can be given to cats at a very early age. Shelter kittens are recommended to be vaccinated when they are 8 weeks old. A repeat vaccine is given at intervals of no more than 4 weeks after the initial vaccine to build a lasting immunity to leukemia.

As an adult, the first vaccine is also given twice, at the same time interval. Thereafter, the vaccine is given annually. The most effective vaccine is Purevax. Some people think it is enough to give it once every 3 years. This opinion is widespread, but not scientifically proven; after the vaccine, stable immunity to leukemia lasts for 12 to 14 months. If not revaccinated after this period, the risk of infection increases significantly.

BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

The vaccine induces formation of an immune response in feline family domestic animals to feline leukemia virus on 21 days after vaccination for 12 months if the recommended vaccination schedule is followed.

The vaccine is used to prevent feline viral leukemia in domestic animals of the feline family.

Before immunization it is advisable to test animals for feline viral leukemia using immunochromatographic method aimed at detection of matrix protein p27 of feline leukemia virus in serum or blood plasma (kit for detection of feline leukemia virus Leuko-test or similar). Vaccination of infected animals is not recommended.

Each vaccine bottle shall be shaken before use until homogeneous suspension is obtained.

The vaccine is administered subcutaneously in the area of the scapula or intramuscularly in the thigh in a dose of 1 ml. Primary vaccination of kittens (from 8-12 weeks of age) and previously unvaccinated adult cats includes two injections with an interval of 21-28 days. Revaccination is carried out once after 12 months and then annually.

Vaccination shall be carried out in compliance with generally accepted aseptic rules, only sterile materials and instruments shall be used for injection.

SPECIAL INDICATIONS

No symptoms of viral leukemia or other pathological signs were detected in case of overdose of vaccine.

No peculiarities of postvaccination reaction during initial, repeated vaccination and revaccination have been found.

Simultaneous use of the vaccine against viral leukemia with vaccine against panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, kalitsivirus infection and chlamydia Multifel-4 is allowed. The vaccine is not used in the same syringe with other biologics and drugs.

Terms of possible use of animal products after administration of Leominor vaccine are not set.

Vaccination of cats. Individual approach.

I wanted to talk about cat vaccination, the complexities in this area, new solutions and approaches, and common myths. There will be a series of short articles dealing with specific issues on the subject. I want to stipulate at once that everything written will be my personal opinion based on experience of the decision of problems on the given question. And you have every right to doubt. I just want to give you some interesting information, which I think you might not know, but the choice is always up to you.😉

In this, the first article, I will write about exactly what you need to protect your cats from. Before you go to the clinic for vaccination, you should at least have a general idea of what you want to achieve. Usually a person comes to the clinic and says, "I'd like to vaccinate my cat against something, but I don't really know what it is. And yet it's better to decide in advance.

You just have to consider the lifestyle of each particular cat. I will divide them into three categories:

• Cats that live only in the apartment and don't go anywhere;
• Cats that occasionally have access to the outdoors, or the owner takes them out in the summer to the cottage;
• Cats that come from the street to a shelter or multi-cat home or visit a hotel or cat shelter from time to time.

Now the question is, what pathogens do vaccines work against, and not just any vaccines, but vaccines with proven efficacy? There aren't many of them, these pathogens. These are:

What can potentially infect a domestic cat that doesn't leave the confines of the apartment?

It can become infected with panleukopenia, calicivirus, herpesvirus. Even though she doesn't go anywhere, there is some possibility that you can bring these pathogens into the house on your hands, on your clothes or on your shoes. Also, these pathogens can easily be picked up by the cat during a visit to the vet clinic. Cat leukemia virus, rabies virus can catch the cat only by direct and close contact with a sick animal. In principle, the same can be said about chlamydia felis.