Can Cat Leukemia Spread to Humans? A Quick Guide

Leukemia Virus in Cats, often referred to as FeLV, is a friendly yet contagious disease that primarily spreads through direct contact, like grooming, and vertically from mother to kitten. Once a cat is infected with FeLV, it carries the virus for life, regardless of its current health status.

When a cat is infected with FeLV, there are typically three outcomes:

1. Abortive infection, where the cat's immune system effectively suppresses the virus, resulting in a positive antibody test.

2. Recurrent infection, where the immune system manages to control the virus replication and viremia, showing up as a positive PCR test.

3. Progressive infection, where the cat's weakened immune system allows the virus to persist in the bloodstream, with positive antibody and IFA tests.

① Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is an in vitro nucleic acid amplification technique developed in the mid1980s, serving as a diagnostic tool for pathogens.

② Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFA).

Currently, the detection of feline leukemia includes ELISA for the virus and P27 antigen, rapid immunochromatographic tests, and PCR. If a cat tests positive, it should never be given a blood transfusion to prevent transmission.

For those who might find the above a bit confusing, here's a simpler explanation: What symptoms might a cat show after infection?

▪ No symptoms

▪ Weight loss

▪ Decreased appetite

▪ Matted fur

▪ Swollen lymph nodes

▪ Persistent fever

▪ Pale mucous membranes

▪ Oral inflammation

▪ Infections in the skin, urinary system, and respiratory system

▪ Chronic diarrhea

▪ Seizures or other neurological symptoms.

What should you do if your cat is diagnosed with leukemia?

Infected cats go through two stages: the first, where the virus is present in the blood, giving the cat a chance to overcome the infection; the second, where the virus reaches the bone marrow and other organs, making the cat a lifelong carrier.

In reality, most treatments are supportive, focusing on maintaining the cat's quality of life.

"Feline leukemia weakens the immune system, making it impossible for the cat to resist common environmental infections. Even a minor microbe can lead to severe illness for a cat with weakened immunity."

How to treat FeLVpositive cats?

• No symptoms: No treatment needed, but strict indoor feeding is recommended.

• Presence of symptoms: Look for underlying diseases. FeLV alone usually doesn't cause symptoms, but treat any underlying conditions.

• FeLVrelated anemia: Identify the underlying cause (like lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome) and consider blood transfusions if severe. Erythropoietin (100IU/kg sc q48H) may be effective, and if not, corticosteroids can be considered.

• FeLVrelated neurological symptoms: Identify the underlying cause (like lymphoma) and treat accordingly. If no underlying disease is found, treat based on FeLVinduced symptoms, using azidothymidine (AZT) 510mg/kg po q12H.

• FeLVrelated recurrent infections: Treat the infections aggressively with longterm antibiotics and consider immunomodulators like feline interferonΩ (1000000UI/kg sc q24H) or staphylococcal protein A (10ug/kg intraperitoneal injection, twice a week).

Advice for FeLVpositive cats:

1. Maintain an indoor lifestyle and provide highquality food to reduce the risk of secondary infections.

2. Spaying or neutering is recommended.

3. Shorten the interval for veterinary checkups and vaccinations (every six months, opt for inactivated vaccines).

4. Avoid introducing new cats into the household.

Finally, for those new to cat ownership, whether your new feline friend looks healthy or not, it's advisable to have them tested for FeLV (at least twice, with a 60day interval between tests). Rapid test kits are convenient, using serum, plasma, or whole blood, with accuracy as high as 92.9%.