Ask The Vet RadioShow Notes

Show #: 06-112

Show Description: "Feline Leukemia"

Audio Files: ATVR-06-112.mp3, ATVR-06-112.wma

On this week’s show we talked about feline ailments, specifically Feline Leukemia.  Dr. Julie Levy from the University of Florida called in to talk about her participation with the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) and gave listeners information on how to protect their cats from acquiring feline leukemia.  Also, Dr. Alfred Legendre from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine stopped by to address common questions regarding the deadly disease including symptoms and how the disease is spread.  Dr. Legendre also provided listeners with the facts about FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), another potentially fatal disease for cats.

Show Notes and Resources:

  • Dr. Julie Levy from the University of Florida called in to provide listeners with vaccination information on feline leukemia and shared with listeners her participation with the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners).
    • The American Association of Feline Practitioners is a group of veterinarians with a special interest in cats.  The AAFP specialize in “providing the continuing education, research and outreach programs intended to improve the health and well-being of cats”.  The AAFP is the leader in developing treatment protocols in the nation and annually continues to raise the standard of feline medicine.  To learn more information about these dedicated individuals and their cause, please visit http://www.aafponline.org/.
    • Feline Leukemia vaccinations should be administered each year, especially in cats with a higher risk for acquiring the disease (such as outdoor cats).  Although indoor cats that do not share a living space with other cats have a relatively low risk in acquiring the disease, every cat should be tested once they are adopted or rescued.  If you get a negative result during the first test, be sure to allow two months to pass and administer the test again to be certain.  Owning multiple cats increases the risk of feline leukemia because it is easily transmitted from one cat to another, especially if any of the cats get outdoors.  No matter how little time cats may spend outdoors, yearly vaccination is very important and could save your cat from years of complications! Statistics show that indoor cats live twice as long as outdoor cats and are at little risk of getting diseases.   The test tends to vary around $35-40, and the vaccine typically runs around $25. 
  • Dr. Alfred Legendre from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine joined us in studio to provide details about feline leukemia and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus).  
    • What is it? Feline Leukemia is an infectious disease that was discovered in 1967 and is easily spread from cat to cat especially in communal situations.  Common ways for spreading the disease are by multiple cats using the same food dish, allowing cats to go outdoors therefore possibly exposing them to other cats (especially if your cat comes home with scratches or bites), and from the spread of a mother cat to her young.  Do not expose cats to one another unless you are certain they are virus-free!
    • Symptoms include anemia and low white blood cells leading to many bacterial infections and high susceptibility to sickness. 
    • What happens if my cat acquires the disease? Cats that develop feline leukemia can actually live healthy and happy for years with the disease.  With treatment and proper care, some infected cats can live 6 years or longer.  Once your cat is diagnosed with the disease, be sure to keep your pet contained and away from other cats in order to decrease the spreading of feline leukemia. 
    • FIV: The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus can be spread much like the AIDS virus, through blood and causes a decrease in the immune system.  Once they have acquired the virus, cats can also develop severe tumors associated with FIV.  Feline Leukemia and FIV in most circumstances can be tested at the same time, and is considered a major problem in the feline community.  Take efforts to keep your pets healthy and happy.