Page 382 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

374 PART 7 SICK CAT WITH SPECIFIC SIGNS

+/− Broad-spectrum antibiotics to control secondary
FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FELV)*–***
bacterial infections while the cat is immunosup-
pressed.
Classical signs
+/− Interferon-alpha (see FeLV/FIV section for rec-
● Opportunistic infections.
ommended dosages).
● Weight loss/cachexia.
● Chronic fever.
● Neoplasia.
Prognosis
Prognosis is poor. The mortality is > 95%. See main reference on page 540 for details (The Anemic
Cat).

Transmission Clinical signs

Fecal–oral transmission is most likely; transplacental Onset of illnesses occurs over an extended period of
transmission is rare. time (months to years), although young kittens can
become acutely ill.
Fomites, e.g., food bowls and litter trays, may be an
important mode of transmission, as some strains of Chronic, opportunistic infections occur that do not
FCoV survive in dried secretions for several weeks. respond to appropriate antibiotic therapy and are
primarily due to immunosuppression.
About 1/3 of cats seropositive for coronavirus shed
virus for up to 10 months; 40–75% of cats with FIP Fever may occur in any age cat but is primarily seen
shed virus. initially in the viremic stage or later in response to
neoplastic, inflammatory or immunosuppressive
A seronegative cat introduced into a household where
effects. Chronic fever occurs in later stages of disease.
coronavirus is endemic has a 1 in 6 chance of devel-
oping FIP; a seropositive cat under the same condi- Weight-loss/cachexia.
tions has a 1 in 12 chance.
Non-regenerative anemia.
Both young and old animals seem to be most suscepti-
Thrombocytopenia.
ble due to vulnerable immune systems.
Lymphoma is associated with FeLV-positive cats, espe-
Maternal antibodies that protect kittens wane at approx-
cially thymic and multicentric forms.
imately 5–6 weeks of age.
Diagnosis
Prevention
History and clinical signs may be suggestive.
Reduce fecal–oral contamination by providing one
Complete blood count showing anemia, thrombocy-
litterbox for every 1–2 cats, cleaning litterboxes daily,
topenia, leukemias, increased MCV and leukopenia are
and placing litterboxes away from feeding areas.
supportive.
Minimize stress, especially crowding in catteries.
Bone marrow aspirate may show myeloproliferation
Do not introduce FcoV-positive cats into a multi-cat and arrested erythroid differentiation.
household.
A positive FeLV antigen test (viral core antigen p27)
Wean kittens at 5 weeks and remove from the on whole blood using an IFA (can also be done on bone
queen’s environment if she is seropositive. marrow sample) or an ELISA test (also on serum,
plasma, saliva, tears). See page 543 for interpretation.
An intranasal vaccine is available for use in seronega-
tive cats. However, efficacy has not yet been demon- Polymerase chain reaction is available from some labo-
strated against wild strains. ratories.