Viral leukemia in cats: symptoms and treatment

For anybody not a secret that today medicine has a lot of useful information about a variety of cancer. Of course, this fact can hardly be happy, because it indicates the wide spread of cancer in society. In addition, often these diseases affect our brothers. A striking example is leukemia in cats (symptoms and treatment, pictures, infected animals can be studied in the process of reading the article), often leading to the death of Pets. How and why the disease develops, it is possible to help pet and what are the predictions?

What is leukemia?

The Leukemia & ndash; the second name under consideration of the disease. It is characterized by a significant increase in the amount in the blood of immature white blood cells. So there is a loss of the circulatory system and the lymphoid and myeloid tissues of the new type which is malignant in nature. Leukemia blood in cats is called RNA virus (family of retroviruses).

It is Important to note that the incubation period (time between infection and appearance of clinical symptoms) in the case of this disease long enough (from 2 months to 6 years). Intrigue of the disease lies in the fact that all this time the animal looks healthy, despite the ability to transmit the virus leukemia cats other Pets whose immunity is weakened to the extent of any reasons.

The Disease usually runs a chronic and is characterized by anemia, ascites and peritonitis, some types of renal and hepatic disease, and a breast lesion (in cats). Should add that absolutely all breeds can develop leukemia (regardless of age or health status).

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Epidemiology: patterns of disease

As noted above, the causative agent of FeLV (leukemia virus cats) is the agent of the family of retroviruses. The disease was discovered in 1964 in Scotland (University of Glasgow), by observing domestic cats with diseases of the lymphatic system. In the process of numerous studies and experiments, scientists were able to figure out how retroviruses contribute to the appearance of tumors of a malignant type in mammals. By the way, this information played a significant role in the study of retroviral immunodeficiency-AIDS.

Lymphoma-this cancer of Pets, which is considered the most common among all malignant tumors. It should be noted that it may have a different etiology. In addition, infected cats is a higher incidence than normal (in excess of 60-70 times), and it develops in the first 5 years of life. The cats free of the virus, the disease appears on average at the age of 10.

Viral leukemia in cats: symptoms and treatment

In the course of the disease, in addition to changes in the circulatory system, in cats there are other signs of infection, wearing both specific and nonspecific in nature. So, patients with animals there is a significant deterioration of General condition, decreased immunity, fatigue, an active depletion, caused by improper digestion and difficulties in the activities of the heart and the urethra. Among the number of nonspecific symptoms that accompany leukemia in cats (symptoms and treatment described in this section), there is a notable enlargement of lymph nodes and forming tumours even in the most unexpected areas of the body. In addition, in some cases, there is exophthalmia, and a significant excess of the permissible size of the spleen and liver.

How is leukemia treated in cats? The symptoms and treatment today it is impossible to balance in a logical manner, we do not yet have developed methods of eliminating disease, which is quite effective. However, scientists invented a vaccine, which is currently being tested for effectiveness by means of laboratory experiments. Unfortunately, even the most famous modern drugs against cancer, usually do not guarantee absolute recovery. So, the recently discovered vaccine is the only hope to exclude oncological diseases of Pets in the future.

The Virus leukemia cats and related illness

It is Important that the leukemia is considered to be a combination of a number of diseases, the structure of which there are a great many of their forms: lymphosarcoma of the thymus, multiple lymphosarcoma, alimentary lymphosarcoma, lymphocytic leukemia, and others. They are discussed in detail below.

However, all the elements of the given complex is endowed with a common sign: the relevance of the uncontrolled division of cells of the hemopoietic system. The etiology of the disease is due to viral leukemia in cats is relevant when impact on the animal organism retrovirus. The disease is classified depending on the pathogenesis in five stages which have a certain duration. For example, when adequate response of the immune system, the disease can be eliminated for 6-8 weekwhich corresponds to the second or third stage. The permanent presence of the virus in the animal body at the fourth or fifth stage generally occurs after 4-6 weeks after infection. Sometimes this period may be twelve weeks.

Lymphosarcoma of the thymus

As noted above, the virus leukemia cats (its symptoms are very diverse) has in its structure many elements, among which a special place is lymphosarcoma of the thymus gland. The main symptom of the disease is a tumor of considerable size in the anterior mediastinum. Lymph nodes become larger, however, the proliferation of the tumor mass to other nodes is virtually eliminated. Furthermore, unhealthy cells can be observed in the blood is extremely rare.

In the study of clinical signs that accompany leukemia in cats (the symptoms and treatment of pathology interrelated) this form should highlight the huge size of the tumor after a fortnight, causing rapid breathing and shortness of breath and intolerance to physical exertion in nature. In addition, may have difficulty in swallowing due to compression of the esophagus as well as the appropriateness of the deaf heartbeat. It is important to note that this form of leukemia most often seen in cats aged two to three years.

Multiple lymphosarcoma

Leukemia in cats (symptoms described above) can be expressed in the form of multiple lymphosarcoma. In this case, the appropriate involvement in the pathological process of tissue of the whole body. Malignant lymphoid cells are subject to infiltration, which significantly increased lymph nodes. And this excess of size is of bilateral nature. In addition, increased spleen and sometimes the liver.

When multiple lymphosarcoma occurs anemia moderate in nature (about 50 percent of cases). But in the blood tumor cells can be observed very rarely (about 20% of all situations). Treatment of leukemia in cats, cases of multiple lymphosarcoma, is done only after confirmation of the diagnosis (by biopsy of lymph nodes). It is important to note that in 60% of cases the operation has a positive result. The disease usually affects animals aged up to four years.

Alimentary lymphosarcoma

In the case of alimentary lymphosarcoma type malignant masses located in the walls of the digestive system. In addition, they can spread to the lymph nodes mezenterialnah character. The tumor is often localized in thick, thin or cecum. Sometimes it is in the stomach or the rectum. Detection of diffuse infiltration of a large part of the intestine is extremely rare.

Among the clinical signs of the occurrence of the considered diseases, it should be noted significant weight loss usually lead to anorexia. If the tumor mass obstructs the passage of the small intestine, with a probability of one hundred percent vomiting. But diarrhea is when the tumor has developed in the small intestine or in the lower part or diffusely. In addition, with alimentary lymphosarcoma usually occurs anemia. The disease is important in relation to cats at the age of eight years. The test result on viral leukemia is positive in about 30% of cases.

Lymphocytic leukemia

This type of lymphoma is associated with exposure of the tumor mass on the red bone marrow, then in the pathological process involved and other tissues by hematogenous, which operates much more efficiently than nodal. The result of malignant cells can be observed not only in the circulatory system, but also in the spleen and liver.

Among the relevant clinical signs should be there aren't any specific effects: fever intermittent character, apathy, and excessive depletion, leading to anorexia. The diagnosis is confirmed by hematological activities. Due to the development of anemia relevant weakness and complete loss of appetite. As a result of thrombocytopenia occur petechial hemorrhage in the epidermis and in mucous membranes. In addition, it often happens that the observed splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. But lymph nodes with lymphatic leukemia increase in size is extremely rare. During this test the disease and considers the positive result is approximately 60 percent of cases.

Leukemia in cats: is transmitted to humans the disease or not?

Considering the virus has been spread widely all over the world, but the special tendencies of its occurrence (for example, depending on seasonality) were identified. However, the disease is actively progressing in areas where there is a particular cluster of homeless animals that are carriers of many diseases.

How is leukemia in cats? The virus is transmitted through saliva, feces or urine. In addition, there are known cases of infection through parasites (especially fleas). It is important to note that an adult cat can give the virus through the placenta not yet born offspring. So, as a result of contact with pathogenic element in the unformed body of a kitten is observed activereproduction in the tonsils and lymphatic tissue of infected cells, which later are formed in the bone marrow.

Many owners moustached-striped concerned about the issue: "Viral leukemia in cats transmitted to humans or is this phenomenon eliminated?" Fortunately, such transmission is impossible. Therefore, we can reject all doubts and fears, but it does not cease to monitor the health of their Pets.

Prevention

The Treatment of leukemia in cats-a very difficult process, but the sad thing is that to achieve a successful outcome is often impossible. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct a number of activities for the prevention of virus penetration into the body of the pet.

The Most effective method of protection is vaccination. In Russia the incidence of vaccine "Lacotel" ("Pfizer"). It induces durable immune defenses in three weeks after injection. The effect persists for one year. In addition, the drug is used and FeLV Purevax(Merial), developed in France.

Among the traditional measures for the prevention of the disease should be allocated to periodic washing of bedding for the cats in hot water, as well as thorough hand-washing after contact with other people's animals to prevent infection of their own Pets.

In conclusion, appropriate to note some interesting facts concerning the virus of leukemia of animals:

• Considers the virus is very contagious, especially when it comes to large groups of living beings. This should include not only feral cats, but also representatives of elite breeds, vast numbers of which are in kennels. Thus, the infected may not only street animals, but also purchased from a breeder (a lot of money, mind you).
• Persistence of the virus low, and therefore a serious disinfection of the premises helps in dealing with it. If you this kind of disease has killed the cat, you should refrain from purchasing a new pet and to thoroughly disinfect everything "secret places" old favorite.
• If the apartment is home to only one cat, consider that even in case of infection it can live long enough and be healthy, because some animals are asymptomatic carriers of the virus. This cat should not be in contact with other animals to eliminate the infection of their fellows. Leukemia in cats (symptoms, photos of sick animals presented in the article) is often a serious obstacle for pregnancy because the virus crosses the placenta. In addition, kittens can be infected from the mother through the milk.
• As noted above, the disease carries a great danger just for cats. Infecting people with the virus is considered a category completely eliminated, allowing you to overcome your fear and continue to effectively care for your pet.