Pet care

What is FeLV?

Feline Leukemia Virus is one of the most common viral diseases in cats. It affects cats only; other species cannot catch it. It is often seen in cats living in large groups, such as feral colonies. The disease cannot be cured, but cats can live with it and function much like healthy cats.

How can a cat catch FeLV?

Only cats that have not been vaccinated against the disease and have been in contact with a carrier of the virus can become infected!

Infection usually happens through direct contact between two cats. The virus spreads most readily through saliva and respiratory secretions. An infected mother can also pass the virus on to her kittens. 

Unfortunately, the virus survives in the environment for a long time, so infection can also occur indirectly, for example through shared food bowls. 

To protect your cat from leukaemia, keep up with regular vaccinations and avoid contact with other cats that could potentially test positive for the virus. 

What are the symptoms of feline leukaemia?

A cat carrying the leukaemia virus may show no signs of illness at all and behave like a perfectly healthy cat. In some cats, the disease begins with very general symptoms that worsen over time. These cats may show:

• watery eyes and eye discharge 
• coughing and a runny nose
• purulent nasal discharge 
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• loss of appetite 
• weight loss 

How is FeLV treated in cats?

The disease is incurable: veterinary medicine has not yet found a cure, so therapy focuses on managing the symptoms. This approach can make day-to-day life considerably easier for the cat. 

Many owners of cats with leukaemia choose a tailored diet to strengthen their pet’s body. Keeping stress to a minimum matters a great deal too, so any changes at home should be introduced gradually. 

A cat with FeLV needs regular check-ups so that its condition can be monitored continuously. 

How do you care for a cat with leukaemia?

One of the most important rules for cats with leukaemia is that an infected cat must not be allowed outdoors. Free-roaming cats can infect other cats, and the disease will spread through the neighbourhood. 

Before any veterinary procedure, the vet should be told that the cat carries the virus. This is particularly important when it comes to vaccinations. 

What is inflammatory bowel disease in cats?

The condition is known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and refers to a group of chronic diseases of the digestive tract.

The causes of IBD are unknown, but the disease is thought to have a genetic and immune background, arising as the body’s reaction against the lining of the gut. Stress factors may also trigger IBD. The disease has a significant impact on the cat’s daily life and can affect the small intestine, the large intestine or both at the same time.

What are the symptoms of IBD in cats?

The symptoms are fairly characteristic and include:

• frequent vomiting 
• diarrhoea 
• undigested bits of food or grass in the stools
• loss of appetite 
• weight loss

How is inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed in cats?

Diagnosis is a matter of ruling out other diseases. Parasitic diseases are considered first, by testing stool samples, and tests for viral diseases are ordered. Next, diseases of other organs, such as the kidneys, thyroid and liver, as well as cancer, are ruled out. To diagnose IBD, blood tests are needed, including a full blood count, biochemistry, vitamin B12 levels and pancreatic parameters. Food allergies, which can cause similar symptoms, should not be overlooked either. 

A specialist ultrasound scan is carried out to assess the abdominal organs, the lining of the intestines and the thickness of the intestinal walls. A histopathological examination is performed to reach a definitive diagnosis.

How is IBD treated in cats?

The main treatment for this disease is an appropriate diet. To plan the cat’s meals, it is best to see a veterinary nutritionist and bring all the test results along. Based on these, the nutritionist can choose a suitable way of feeding the animal, select a new protein source and probiotics, and improve its quality of life. Medication is sometimes necessary, but that depends on the individual case.

What is a mastectomy?

A mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the mammary chain, that is, the animal’s mammary glands. It is performed when a tumour develops in the mammary gland. Unfortunately, this type of tumour is thought to be the most common of all growths in bitches, and it is, sadly, most often malignant.

These tumours can occur in dogs and cats as well as in small mammals such as rats. 

What can cause a mammary tumour?

Tumours can have various causes, and hormonal factors are often involved. Additional causes include:

• the female’s older age
• not having been spayed
• the use of hormonal contraception
• hormonal activity (heat, oestrus, pregnancy) 

Some breeds are even said to be predisposed to mammary tumours, namely: the German Shepherd, Poodle, Dachshund, Spaniel and Maltese.

Bear in mind that pregnancy does not protect against tumours; on the contrary, it can contribute to their development. 

How can you spot a mammary tumour in your pet?

Growths can vary in size; sometimes they are small and the owner does not notice them straight away, which is why regularly looking your pet over and feeling for lumps works best. 

Animals may show symptoms such as:

• apathy
• weight loss
• drinking less and reluctance to eat

How can mammary tumours be prevented?

The most effective way to prevent this condition is to spay the bitch early. The procedure can reduce the risk of a tumour by as much as 50%, which is why spaying and neutering now count as preventive care. 

It is far better to have a routine procedure done on a bitch than to face the stress of a much more serious mastectomy later on.