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Cat Leukemia (Part Two)
The Feline leukemia virus has two stages of infection. The first is called primary viremia, which is the early stage of the infection. In the early stages of the virus, it is possible for some cats’ immune systems to halt the virus from going into the second stage. At this stage, you are not likely to even be aware that the cat has contracted the virus.
Secondary viremia is the stage of the virus where you are likely to notice your cat having continuing infections and other problems. Once the virus has gone to the second stage, the cat will be infected for the remainder of its life with the virus.
How Cats Are Diagnosed With Feline Leukemia Virus
There are two ways feline leukemia virus is detected in cats. Both of these are blood tests used to detect proteins in the blood stream. The first blood test is called ELISA or enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. This test is usually done in the veterinary surgeons clinic and can test both primary and secondary stages of the virus.
The second test is called IFA or indirect immunoflorescent antibody assay. This test is sent to a laboratory. The IFA test is only used to determine second stage infection of the feline leukemia virus.
How To Prevent Your Cat From Infection
The best way to prevent your cat from being infected from the feline leukemia virus is to prevent them from having contact with cats that may have the virus. You may want to keep your cats indoors, only allowing them access to outdoors under your supervision or in a secure area to reduce the likelihood of your cat fighting or being bitten by an infected cat.
Make sure that if you are bringing a cat home to your other cats, it is infection free. For those who have more than one cat and find that one of them is infected, you should stop an infected cat from having contact or sharing food bowls and litter boxes with uninfected cats.
There are also vaccinations available for the feline leukemia virus in non-infected cats. Although your cat is vaccinated, there is still a risk that it could be infected. So the best way to keep your cat safe is to prevent it from wandering around unsupervised.
Life Expectancy Of An Infected Kitty
A cat that has contracted the feline leukemia virus may, in ideal conditions, remain healthy for up to a few months, although most cats have at the very best a life expectancy of only a few years after they have been infected.
For those who have lost their cat due to the feline leukemia virus and wish to get a new cat, it is safe to bring a new addition into the household once the cat has been vaccinated and the areas the infected cat have been, thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
It has not been proven that feline leukemia can be passed on to humans. But it is recommended that pregnant women, elderly people, small children and those who have immune system problems stay away from infected cats.
