1. THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM…..
“Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?”

2. CASE # 7 Feline Leukemia

3. PATIENT PRESENTATION

4. PATIENT PRESENTATION SIGNALMENT: ~2-3yr old intact male DSH
PRESENTING COMPLAINT: cat seems to have lost weight in the last few months and seems lethargic
Hx: unknown, client feeds this stray cat who is very friendly.

5. PATIENT PRESENTATION PHYSICAL EXAM BCS: 2/5
Temp:103.1, HR: 160, RR: 30
Enlarged mandibular lymph nodes and popliteal lymph nodes (see pic below)
Firm, mid-abdominal mass palpated
Enlarged popliteal lymph node
Lbah.com

6. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS CBC/SERUM CHEMISTRIES ABDOMINAL RADIOGRAPHS
FeLV/FIV Test
All cats that go outdoors or come from unknown backgrounds should be tested for FeLV and FIV when first examined by a veterinarian

7. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS CBC FeLV ELISA Nonregenerative anemia
Leukopenia – this virus can affect the bone marrow resulting in feline panleukopenia-like syndrome
FeLV ELISA
positive

8. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS TUMOR OF THE THYMUS – WOULD OCCUR IN
A YOUNG ANIMAL INFECTED WITH FeLV

9. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

10. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

11. TRANSMISSION & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Feline Leukemia is a retrovirus and is associated with both neoplastic and non-neoplastic disease
Lymphoma is the most common neoplastic disease – tumors can occur in the thymus, GI tract, or lymph nodes throughout the body
Other clinical signs
Secondary infections
Wt. loss
Anorexia
Neurologic signs
Spontaneous abortion

12. TRANSMISSION & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The most likely route of infection is through continued intimate contact such as grooming, sharing food and water bowls (virus shed in saliva, urine, tears, blood) – this is horizontal transmission
The virus can also be transmitted to neonates in utero and through the milk of infected queens – this is vertical transmission

13. TRANSMISSION & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF FeLV INFECTION
1. REGRESSIVE INFECTION - Cat may mount an immune response, clear the virus, and become resistant to future infection
2. PROGRESSIVE INFECTION - some cats fail to mount an effective immune response, become persistently viremic, but with no clinical signs
3. Active infection – with clinical signs
Outcome depends on:
Age, immunocompetence, concurrent disease, viral strain, dose, duration of exposure

14. TREATMENT NO CURE for FeLV
IMMUNOMODULATING DRUGS (none have proven efficacy in cats with FeLV)
Human interferon-α – interferes with viral replication; given orally
Acemannan – known to have antiviral, immunostimulant, and antineoplastic properties; given intraperitoneally (IP)
Proprionibacterium acnes – killed form of this bacteria can be given to stimulate the immune system to fight disease
ANTIVIRAL DRUGS -*can be toxic to bone marrow in cats
AZT – antiretroviral
ANTIBIOTICS
POSSIBLE CHEMOTHERAPY
Zidovudine or Azidothymidine

15. CLIENT INFO & PROGNOSIS
FeLV positive cats should be retested 3-4 months after initial test
FeLV cats should be isolated from all other cats
FeLV cats should be kept indoors
FeLV cats should have reduced stress and regular vaccination and veterinary check-ups
Life expectancy is approximately 2 years after diagnosis
Retest in case cat clears infection

17. CASE #8 Feline Immundeficiency Virus

18. PATIENT PRESENTATION

19. PATIENT PRESENTATION SIGNALMENT: ~4-5yr old, intact, male, DMH
PRESENTING COMPLAINT: inappetant, hypersalivation, lethargy. Cat has had recurrent bouts of skin infections and respiratory disease for several years.
Hx: indoor/outdoor cat, has not had vaccinations in over 3 years. Cat has had a few fights with other neighborhood cats over the years.

20. PATIENT PRESENTATION PHYSICAL EXAM: Other clinical signs may include:
Gingivitis, stomatitis
Wt. loss
Temp: 103.5, HR: 200, RR:36
Mm: pale , CRT: 2sec
Other clinical signs may include:
Chronic fever
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Chronic URI
cachexia
Chronic, unresponsive skin/ear infections

21. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS CBC/SERUM CHEMISTRIES FeLV/FIV ELISA
All unvaccinated outdoor cats should be tested for these diseases as they are contagious and without cure

22. DIAGNOSTIC TEST RESULTS
CBC
Anemia, lymphopenia
ELISA positive
THIS IS AN ANTIBODY TEST, not antigen – there will be interference by maternal antibodies and vaccination!

23. TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION
Most infections are acquired through horizontal transmission among adult male, sexually intact cats
Fight and bite wounds appear to be the major route of transmission.
It is possible to transmit the virus vertically to neonatal kittens, but the virus is not easily transmitted this way.

24. TREATMENT SEE FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS DENTAL SURGERY
Whole mouth extraction of teeth may be necessary in cats with chronic stomatitis and gingivitis

25. CLIENT INFO & PROGNOSIS
Although FIV is morphologically and biochemically similar to HIV, it poses no threat to humans
Infected cats may survive for prolonged periods before experiencing advanced stages of the disease
Some may be asymptomatic for 10+ yrs
Keep FIV+ cats indoors
Keep FIV+ cats free of stress and concurrent disease
Prevention: vaccination, which will cause a positive antibody test!