"Feline Leukemia Disease - AIDS of the Cat World"

Feline Leukemia Disease may take many forms. One of the most common manifestations is when the virus causes immune suppression. The virus holds down the infected cats’ natural immunity to disease. At all times a normal cats’ mouth, nose, lungs, skin, intestine, etc. are covered with bacteria and viruses. The normal immune system keeps these bacteria in check and prevents disease. In human AIDS or Feline Leukemia Disease that natural immunity is reduced to the level that any bacteria or virus can multiply unchecked and cause disease.

 Broadening the use of antiretroviral therapy: the case for feline leukemia virus

While vaccines exist to prevent FeLV infection and spread, they have not eliminated FeLV infection. For FeLV-infected felines and their human companions, antiretroviral therapy would be desirable and of practical importance if good options were available.

 Discovery of drugs that possess activity against feline leukemia virus

Although structural differences affect the susceptibility of gammaretroviruses to anti-HIV drugs, the similarities in mechanism of replication suggest that some anti-HIV-1 drugs may also inhibit FeLV.

 Feline Leukemia In Your Cat

Feline leukemia (FeLV) is the most common cause of serious disease in young cats. It is caused by a retrovirus that is spread from cat to cat through prolonged contact, bites and from parent to offspring. This virus, and its cousin retrovirus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), cause a slow, generalized decline in your cat's health. Human AIDS is also a retrovirus and the two diseases share many similarities.

 Feline Leukemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Feline leukemia, unlike leukemia in humans, is not a form of cancer, but rather, a viral infection. Learn everything you need to know to keep your cat safe.

1-800 PetMeds

All cats are susceptible to feline leukemia but few develop the disease, so that only 1-2 cats in 100 have feline leukemia. Kittens less than four months old are susceptible, but healthy mature cats appear to be immune.

Feline leukemia not always a death sentence

For many years, it has been assumed by animal shelters, rescues and veterinarians that any cat testing positive for feline leukemia will suffer and die within a relatively short period of time. In most cases, any cat or kitten testing positive is euthanized to spare the rescue or owner the expense and emotional trauma of a long and drawn-out illness. However, new information is now available about the outcomes for cats with feline leukemia.

Feline Leukemia Support

Although feline leukemia remains an incurable viral disease that threatens the lives of thousands of domestic as well as wild cats each year, newer methods for treating this disease have become more readily available.

Feline Leukemia Virus

Infection with the Feline Leukemia Virus is one of the most classical diseases in veterinary medicine.

HealthCommunities.com

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection is responsible for more deaths among cats than any other infectious disease. The virus affects domestic cats and occurs in some wild felines as well.

Long Beach Animal Hospital

FeLV is a very serious disease of the feline world.

MaxsHouse.com

The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is the causative agent of the most important fatal infectious disease complex of American domestic cats today.

Morris Animal Foundation

EeLV is a retrovirus, which means it has the ability to integrate into the genetic material, or DNA, of the host. Retroviruses are sometimes called “the ultimate genetic parasites.” There are three subtypes of FeLV, and the diseases it causes depend on the particular subtype involved. The feline immunodeficiency virus, or feline AIDS virus, is another feline retrovirus.

SomeMooreCats.com

Feline Leukemia (FeLV) - One Cat's Experience

VetInfo

Most cats with FIV seem to do well without therapy directed specifically against the FIV virus itself. This seems to be a different situation than exists in humans infected with the HIV virus, although I am not familiar enough with the specifics of care for humans to be sure of that. A rapid progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome doesn't occur in the majority of cats, so most cats with FIV have a long period in which they are not highly immune compromised.

Wikipedia

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects cats.