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Cats at-risk should continue regular vaccination each year, while low risk indoor-only cats may discontinue the vaccine after the initial series. Some cats diagnosed with FeLV can live normal lives for years, especially if they are kept indoors with minimal exposure to secondary illnesses. The average life span after testing positive for leukemia virus is less than three years.
Cornell Feline Health Center
Vaccines against FeLV are not considered core vaccines and are intended to protect cats against FeLV infection or to decrease the likelihood of persistent viremia. Types of vaccines include killed whole virus, subunit, and genetically engineered (recombinant). Vaccines may vary in protective effect, and manufacturer claims and independent comparative studies should be carefully noted.
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Is there any treatment for FeLV infection or disease?
As FeLV can be easily spread to other cats, it's crucial that pets who are infected stay strictly indoors, ideally in a home where they're the only cat. Providing indoor enrichment, such as adding toys or new elements to their play space, can help reduce stress. Also, consider having a vet come to your home to suggest ways you can make the space more soothing for a cat with FeLV.
Stress
An accurate diagnosis of the cause of hair loss requires a detailed history and physical examination. The physical examination will cover both the cat’s skin and its general health. The veterinarian will also look for signs of skin infections or parasites. Your veterinarian will tell you whether it is appropriate for your cat.
Treatment options for cat hair loss
Retroviruses are unstable, live for only minutes outside the cat's body, and are readily destroyed by most disinfectants. Fortunately, the virus is not very hardy in the environment and can only survive on surfaces for a couple of hours. Because they have a weakened immune system, cats with FeLV should not be fed raw food, but instead a complete and balanced dry and/or canned food. If your veterinarian suspects your cat has FeLV, they can be screened through a simple ELISA snap blood test. If your veterinarian uses a reference laboratory, snap test results can be available within 24 hours. In some instances, this test can also be performed right in the office while you wait.
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Preventing Cat Hair Loss
The virus does not live long outside the cat’s body -- probably just a few hours. Grooming and fighting seem to be the commonest ways for infection to spread. Kittens can contract the disease in utero or through an infected mother’s milk. The disease is often spread by apparently healthy cats, so even if a cat appears healthy, it may be infected and able to transmit the virus.
I just discovered that one of my cats has FeLV, yet I have other cats as well. If your cat is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule a visit to the vet for a thorough examination. Feline Leukemia-related hair loss can be a sign of underlying health issues that require proper diagnosis and treatment. If you allow your cats to enjoy the outdoors, be sure they are up to date with all vaccinations. Not only will this keep them from experiencing any preventable illnesses that could lead to hair loss, vaccinations will also stave off much more serious and possibly fatal diseases. While the link between skin lesions and cancer is unknown, most cats with paraneoplastic alopecia have pancreatic cancer.
Owners should be advised to watch for clinical signs of FeLV-related disease, particularly secondary infections. Although FeLV-positive cats often respond well to treatment, treatment for such infections or other illnesses should be early and aggressive because of potential immunocompromise. Some positive cats can live without major complications for years with routine veterinary care, proper feeding and care, minimal stress, and avoidance of secondary infections. Infected cats should be kept strictly indoors to reduce the risk of other infections and to prevent spreading the virus to other cats. Your cat should visit the veterinarian at least every 6 months to monitor for disease-related disorders and secondary infections. Your veterinarian will make a recommendation for appropriate vaccinations against other feline viruses (vaccination for FeLV will not help once a cat is infected with the virus).
What is Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)?
Excessive shedding is common and may be observed, as well as itching and more frequent grooming. Some cats will develop painful cracks on the pads of their feet and resist walking because of them. We know our cats love to groom themselves; it’s part of their normal behavior and how they keep their skin and coat healthy. However, if they’re itchy, painful, or stressed they can do too much grooming, licking, and scratching and actually cause excessive hair loss and alopecia.
An infected mother cat can also transmit the virus to her kittens before birth or while nursing. Only about 3% of cats in single-cat households have the virus, but for cats that spend time outdoors, the rate is much higher. Still, the prevalence of FeLV has decreased over the last 25 years because of vaccines and reliable tests. These disorders can be worsened by the presence of other infectious diseases, such as feline panleukopenia or calicivirus.
Recurrent infections of the skin, bladder, nose and/or eyes are also common signs of cat leukemia. In cases where the animal is terminally ill, the owner can make the animal’s remaining days as comfortable as possible. This generally includes changing their diet to a more healthy alternative. Unfortunately, death is likely to occur within 20 weeks from the appearance of the skin lesions. However, with the right maintenance and care from you and your vet both, you can give your cat the best chance at a happy life throughout the remainder of their disease.
Your vet will also ask about any other symptoms you might be seeing, like any scratching, head shaking, behavioral changes, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or urinary issues. Because FeLV is contagious to other cats, we recommend these cats go to homes where they’ll be the only cat or to a home that already has a cat with FeLV. The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
It's important for all cat owners to be aware of this pernicious disease and the signs your cat may be at risk. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, take your cat to the vet for an evaluation immediately. The sooner that your pet is diagnosed, the better chance they have at a long and happy life. In addition to these preventative measures, it’s important to work closely with your veterinarian to address any underlying health issues that may be contributing to your cat’s hair loss. Your vet may recommend specific grooming products, dietary supplements, or medications to help manage your cat’s symptoms and improve their quality of life. Often, vets tend to be more proactive with antibiotics in a cat that has feline leukemia, since its immune system is not as robust.
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