Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that can be transmitted from mother to kitten and by cat-to-cat contact. It can also be contracted from sharing contaminated objects such as food and water bowls. Feline leukemia treatment can include chemotherapy, blood transfusions and antibiotics to fight infections.
There are two stages of feline leukemia virus, primary viremia and secondary viremia. Primary viremia is the early stage of the disease, where some cats are able to eliminate the virus from their blood stream, preventing them moving to the next stage. Secondary viremia is when the infection begins and moves into the infected cat’s bone marrow and other tissues.
Feline Leukemia Treatment – Management of FeLV at Home
Most cats that become infected with feline leukemia virus die within about 2-3 years, so it’s not an immediate death sentence. With proper feline leukemia treatment, an infected cat may still have several quality years left. Feline leukemia treatment at home is based of management of the disease. This can include:
- Feeding a nutritionally balanced and good quality cat food.
- Avoid feeding uncooked food (eggs, meat), to prevent ingestion of food-borne bacteria and parasitic infections.
- Monitor the cat’s health and behavior.
- Spay/neuter the cat.
- Keep the cat inside to prevent further spread of the virus and to minimize the cat’s exposure to other infections.
- Give plenty of love and attention and provide a warm and comfortable environment.
- Visit the veterinarian regularly (6 months) to monitor the cat’s progress.
Feline Leukemia Treatment – Veterinary Treatments for FeLV
There is no specific feline leukemia treatment; veterinarians aim to reduce the effects of secondary infections and keeping the cat’s immune system as healthy as possible. These treatments may include:
- Anabolic steroids to promote appetite and counteract anemia.
- Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.
- Appetite stimulants.
- Blood transfusions to help anemic cats.
- Chemotherapy to treat cancer.
- Cortisone can help to decrease the tumors and reduce the number of cancer cells. It can however, further suppress the immune system making the cat more susceptible to bacterial infections.
- Fluids to reverse the effects of dehydration.
- Immune stimulators.
- Red blood cell stimulator to minimize anemia, however, sometimes cats can develop antibodies to the drug causing the anemia to be more severe if it returns.
- Vitamins (B complex).
Some veterinarians also use antiviral medications, however not enough research has been done to prove that the use of these medications as a feline leukemia treatment are effective.
The Best Feline Leukemia Treatment is Prevention
Just as the saying goes ‘prevention is better than a cure’, the ultimate feline leukemia treatment is prevention, and this is done by vaccination. Kittens should be vaccinated at approximately 6-8 weeks, then again at around 10-12 weeks, and once more at approximately 14-16 weeks.
The reason kittens are so frequently vaccinated is because there is no way to tell when their maternal antibodies will run out so these vaccination schedules ensure the kitten is covered. Kittens are more susceptible to feline leukemia virus as well as many other infectious diseases such as chlamydia and distemper, so it’s important to begin vaccinating when they are young. Cats will need to be vaccinated annually for the rest of their lives.
Resource and further reading:
- ‘Fighting and Managing Feline Retrovirus Disease’ at International Veterinary Information Service:
- ’Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)’ at Long Beach Animal Hospital
Roberta Goli - Roberta has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Zoology), has worked with animals for over 10 years and enjoys writing short stories and flash ...
