Feline Leukemia

Feline leukemia is one of the most devastating diseases that can strike cats. Feline leukemia is caused by a virus for which there is no known cure This virus attacks the immune system of the cat making it unable to ward off other diseases such as pneumonia and intestinal infections. Therefore, a cat with a full-blown case of feline leukemia stays sick a good amount of the time. Because of the constant infections, the cat usually loses weight and has a poor haircoat. Feline leukemia usually results in death of the cat because of these secondary infections.

Not only does the feline leukemia virus damage the immune system, it can also cause tumors to develop in the cat. These tumors can develop in the lymph nodes, intestines, liver, lungs and other places. These tumors can result in the death of the cat. This disease and the resultant death of the cats can be preventable by vaccination of healthy cats against the feline leukemia virus. Especially cats that are at higher risk for feline leukemia should be tested for the virus before they are vaccinated. Cats in high risk are strays, those that are parented by strays, and those that are exposed to unvaccinated cats.