Feline leukemia virus is No. 1 killer of cats, kittens

There is a reason that cats are the most popular pet: They are easy to care for.

They are clean, do not require outside exercise and can be left alone for days as long as someone checks on them daily. Cats can live into their late teens. Kept indoors, they have few diseases and are relatively inexpensive.

There is one major concern: feline leukemia virus.This serious virus is widespread in the cat population and responsible for the death of more cats than any other disease.

All new cats brought into a household must be checked for this disease. Testing is routine and done in the office with a simple blood test that checks for both feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. Veterinarians and clients must be careful not to expose an existing cat to a new kitten or older cat prior to testing. They should be vaccinated for feline leukemia virus if there is any potential for exposure to infected cats. Vaccines for feline leukemia virus are both safe and effective. Outdoor cats are significantly at risk and should be protected after a negative test with a series of two vaccines three weeks apart and then annually.

Kittens are the most at risk. Transmission of the disease is commonly spread by saliva through bites or from an infected mother cat to her kittens. Because kittens are often born in the spring, now is the time when 2-month-old cats may be found and adopted. These kittens are at high risk and must be tested prior to adoption.

Two common complications of feline leukemia virus are anemia and a form of cancer called lymphoma. Anemia is detected by observing pale gums or finding abnormalities in a blood count. Lymphoma is a common malignant cancer of the lymphatic system and caries a poor prognosis.

Other symptoms include loss of appetite and weight, a poor coat, fever or enlarged lymph nodes. Occasionally we find intestinal issues, reproductive failure, eye problems or oral inflammation. Any sick cat should be checked with a blood test for feline leukemia virus.

Cats adopted from shelters are tested for the virus, spayed or neutered, treated for parasites and given the basic vaccines. That is why adopting from a shelter is a much safer option. With an explosion of births from intact cats, spring kittens can stress the shelter and rescue resources.

Outdoor cats who fight with other cats have a very high risk. Vaccines for feline leukemia virus will decrease their risk of infection, but they are still in danger from cars. Blood donor cats must be screened carefully to prevent spread of the disease.

With testing and vaccinations, veterinarians have seen a decrease in feline leukemia virus over the past 25 years. It is heartbreaking to have to tell an owner that their cat has a preventable, life-threatening virus. Keeping cats isolated from infected cats is the best way to prevent the spread of this dreaded virus.