Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
FeLV is contagious and is passed by direct, cat-to-cat contact, such
as fighting and biting, mutual grooming and from a queen to her kit-
tens. Not all cats who contract FeLV die from the disease, but any cat
who tests positive should be monitored closely.
How Reliable Is the FeLV Test?
Most veterinary clinics have the capacity to test for Feline Leukemia in
the office, with results in 5 to 10 minutes. The most reliable tests use
small amounts of blood, but saliva and tears can be used in some test
kits. Most of the tests used in clinics are very reliable. However, when a
test comes up positive, it should be verified, because there are some-
times false positive results for the FeLV test.
The regular test used in most clinics checks for FeLV antigens in
the blood (or body secretions). If this type of test is positive, a second-
ary, verifying test should be performed. The secondary test, called an
IFA (immunofluorescent antibody), checks for FeLV antigens within
blood cells, and is available through a reference laboratory. There also
is a test for FeLV that looks for viral DNA in the blood (FeLV PCR).
The results of different FeLV tests can be confusing if they are not all
positive or all negative. If this happens, a veterinarian should follow the
American Association of Feline Practitioner's FeLV testing guidelines
and consider retesting before making a final diagnosis.
Another problem with testing for FeLV is that if an animal was
exposed to the virus within a few weeks of being tested, the test could
be negative because measurable viral antigens would not yet be present
in the blood. If there is any question as to the status of a cat, he should
be retested one to three months later.
What Is FeLV?
Feline leukemia virus can suppress a cat's immune system so that other
diseases make the animal extremely sick. It can also cause lymphatic
cancer and suppress a cat's bone marrow and blood cell production.
Once a cat has developed clinical signs and tests positively for FeLV, the
animal usually only lives a few months, at best.
A small number of cats contract FeLV, never get sick and live nor-
mal life spans.This is because their immune systems are able to fight off
active infection. Some animals carry FeLV and are healthy for years
before any signs of illness develop.
