Page 553 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

24 – THE ANEMIC CAT 545

● Propionibacterium acnes. Activation of macrophages ● Vaccination of cats not previously exposed to FeLV
and natural killer cells. Increased production of should be considered in cats at high risk (i.e. partic-
interferon, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin ularly kittens less than 1 year old in contact with
1. 0.5 ml IV, twice weekly for 2 weeks followed by potentially infected cats).
0.5 ml IV, weekly for 20 weeks. ● Owners should be warned of the potential efficacy
● Acemannan. Enhanced release of tumor necrosis of less than 100%.
factor, prostaglandin E , and interleukin 1-alpha by ● Cats should be tested for FeLV prior to vaccination.
2
macrophages. 2 mg/kg, IP, once weekly for 6 ● Vaccination is not indicated in seropositive cats.
weeks. ● Vaccination does not induce seropositivity.
● Pind-orf. Inactivated parapox ovis virus. ● Soft tissue sarcomas develop at the vaccination site
in 1:1000 to 1:10 000 cats given adjuvanted vac-
Antibiotics are often indicated for secondary infec-
cines.
tions and should be used at the high end of the dose
range for an extended duration.
Zoonotic aspects
Supportive care including fluid therapy, appetite stim-
While FeLV will grow in some human cell cultures
ulants and enteral nutrition supplied via force feeding
(with the exception of subgroup A), antigens of FeLV
or nasogastric, pharyngostomy, gastrostomy or jejunos-
have never been documented in the serum of humans
tomy tube placement may be indicated.
suggesting that this virus is species specific.
Blood transfusions, erythropoietin, hematinic agents,
Human complement lyses FeLV.
vitamin B12, folic acid and anabolic steroids generally
have been unsuccessful in the management of the non-
regenerative anemia. FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS VIRUS
(FIP), FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS
Immunosuppressive therapy may be required in the
(FIV)**
management of hemolytic anemia but has the potential
for virus activation.
Classical signs
● Lethargy, anorexia, weight loss.
Prognosis ● +/- fever, pleural or abdominal effusion
(FIP).
The majority of cats (> 80%) with persistent viremia
● +/- CNS, hepatic, renal disease (FIP).
will die of an FeLV-related illness within 2–3 years.
● +/- secondary infections of any organ
Most cats with self-limiting infection will be subclini- system (FIV).
cally affected.
See main references page 339, The Thin, Inappetant Cat
(FIV), and page 372, The Pyrexic Cat (FIP).
Prevention
Clinical signs
Avoid exposure; house cats indoors.
Anemia is not usually a main presenting sign, and
Test and removal of seropositive cats can result in
occurs as a consequence of chronic disease. Signs of
virus-free catteries and multiple-cat households.
the agent predominate.
Multiple FeLV vaccines have been developed and
Typically FIP presents as fever, weight loss, anorexia
licensed in the last several years.
and lethargy. Highly proteinaceous pleural or abdomi-
● Due to variation in challenge study methodology and
nal effusions may be present, or there may be evidence
the difficulty of assessing preventable fraction of a
of hepatic, renal, ocular or CNS disease.
disease with a relatively low infection rate, long sub-
clinical phase, and multiple field strains, efficacy of Cats with signs from FIV often have lethargy,
individual vaccines continues to be in question. anorexia and weight loss associated with secondary