Testing for FeLV is possible with ELISA tests that look for viral antigens, free particles found in the bloodstream. Infection is far higher in city cats, stray or owned, than in rural cats: this is entirely due to the amount of contact the cats have with each other. Kittens can be born with it, having contracted it from their mother while in utero. Īpproximately 0.5% of pet cats are persistently infected with FeLV, but many more pet cats (>35%) have specific IgG antibodies which indicate prior exposure and subsequent development of immunity instead of infection. Overwhelming epidemiologic evidence suggests FeLV is not transmissible to either humans or dogs. In addition to domestic cats, some other members of Felidae are now threatened by FeLV (e.g. Once a cat has been infected with FeLV-A, additional mutated forms of the original FeLV-A virus may arise, as may FeLV subgroups B, C and T. Cats can pass the virus between themselves through saliva and close contact, by biting another cat, and (rarely) through a litter box or food dish used by an infected cat. The virus replicates in epithelial tissues including salivary glands, oropharynx, stomach, esophagus, intestines, trachea, nasopharynx, renal tubules, bladder, pancreas, alveolar ducts, and sebaceous ducts from the muzzle.Ĭats infected with FeLV can serve as sources of infection of FeLV-A. Stage Six: The cat's body is overwhelmed by infection and mucosal and glandular epithelial cells (tissue that forms a thin protective layer on exposed bodily surfaces and forms the lining of internal cavities, ducts, and organs) become infected.In this phase, the virus replicates and is released four to seven days later in infected neutrophils, and sometimes lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils (all white blood cells formed in the bone marrow).
At this point, the virus will stay with the cat for the rest of its life. Stage Five: The bone marrow becomes infected.If the cat's immune system does not fight off the virus, then it progresses to: During this stage the hemolymphatic system and intestines become infected. Stage Four: The main point in the infection- where the virus can take over the body's immune system and cause viremia.Stage Three: The lymphoid system (which produces antibodies to attack infected and cancerous cells) becomes infected, with further distribution throughout the body.Stage Two: The virus enters the blood stream and begins to distribute throughout the body.These white blood cells then filter down to the lymph nodes and begin to replicate. Stage One: The virus enters the cat, usually through the pharynx where it infects the epithelial cells and infects the tonsilar B-lymphocytes and macrophages.Once the virus has entered the cat, there are six stages to a FeLV infection :
Although it is thought that virus protein has to be present to induce lymphomas in cats, newer evidence shows that a high percentage of FeLV-Antigen negative lymphomas contain FeLV-DNA, indicating a "hit-and-run" mechanism of virus-induced tumor development. Nevertheless, the development of lymphomas is considered the final stage of the disease. The cat can fight off the infection and become totally immune, can become a healthy carrier that never gets sick itself but can infect other cats, or a mid-level case in which the cat has a compromised immune system. The signs and symptoms of infection with feline leukemia virus are quite varied and include loss of appetite, poor coat condition, anisocoria (uneven pupils), infections of the skin, bladder, and respiratory tract, oral disease, seizures, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), skin lesions, fatigue, fever, weight loss, stomatitis, gingivitis, litter box avoidance, pancytopenia, recurring bacterial and viral illnesses, anemia, diarrhea and jaundice.Īsymptomatic carriers will show no signs of disease, often for many years.
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