How to Treat My Cat With Feline Leukemia

According to PetEducation.com, feline leukemia is a type of cancer that presents itself in cats infected with the feline leukemia (FeLV) virus. The contagious FeLV virus is considered a "retrovirus" and it is specific only to cats. Although the feline leukemia virus affects only a small percentage of the feline population, it is still considered a "major cause of illness and death in domestic cats." If you have a cat who has developed feline leukemia as a result of FeLV infection, there are specific strategies you should take in caring for your pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Bedding
  • Food bowl
  • Water bowl
  • Litter box
  • Cat food, nutritionally-balanced
  • Medications, as prescribed
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a comfortable environment in your home for the infected feline. Cats infected with feline leukemia should be kept indoors at all times. This will not only protect neighborhood cats from the infection, but also reduce your cat's exposure to infections carried by other animals. Prepare bedding, a food bowl, water bowl and litter box specifically for the infected cat. Although it may seem unfair, it is important to keep the infected feline secluded from any other cats you have.

    • 2

      Contact your veterinarian and make an appointment to have your cat spayed or neutered, if necessary. Feline leukemia can spread from a mother to her kittens, so you will need to prevent the cat from having kittens.

    • 3

      Provide a nutritionally balanced diet according to your veterinarian's suggestions. Avoid feeding the cat raw meat, raw eggs and unpasteurized dairy products. These foods have a much higher risk of causing parasitic and bacterial infections, which are extremely dangerous in animals with a compromised immune system.

    • 4

      Visit your veterinarian every six months for a check up. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the veterinarian should examine all body systems, paying special attention "to the health of the gums, eyes, skin and lymph nodes." Tests should also be done on the blood and urine.

    • 5

      Give medications as prescribed. As explained by PetEducation.com, cats infected with feline leukemia are "treated according to the signs of disease they are showing." While some cats are simply prescribed antibiotics, other cats are given antiviral drugs. The cat's veterinarian will determine the appropriate treatment; the cat's owners must ensure the treatment regimen is followed completely.

    • 6

      Monitor the cat carefully for unusual changes in health and behavior. Common signs and symptoms of feline leukemia include weight loss, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite and unusually high fever. The cat may also experience vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing and discoloration of the skin to a blue or yellow color. Notify your veterinarian immediately if any unusual changes in appearance or behavior are noted.