Dr. Todd L. Prince practices veterinary medicine at certified cat-friendly clinics in and around Elmhurst, Illinois. Todd Prince, DVM, draws on an in-depth knowledge of neurological disorders and cancers in dogs and cats. Both feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are rare but potentially fatal diseases that weaken a cat's immune system. Approximately 2 to 4 percent of all cats in the US have one or both conditions, but the percentage is higher among ill cats and young kittens. FeLV and FIV are both likely to be asymptomatic initially. FIV in particular tends to have a long incubation period and not affect a cat's health for years. The lymph nodes may become temporarily enlarged early in the course of infection, but this can be subtle enough that an owner easily misses it. Feline leukemia virus can develop more quickly, although some cats' immune systems are able to eliminate the virus before it starts to cause symptoms. When FeLV or FIV does begin to affect a cat's immune system, it can leave it vulnerable to potentially fatal secondary infections. The risk is greater for cats with FeLV, as many with this condition pass away from disease within three years of becoming infected. Fortunately, if a cat is not yet immune-compromised at the time of diagnosis, immune-support therapies may allow the animal to live a long and normal life. Comments are closed.
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October 2017
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