The Top Three Fatal Feline Diseases
For years now, we've had safe and effective vaccines for distemper, rabies and the respiratory diseases that used to kill millions of cats every year. Because most people are vaccinating their pets for them, these once very common infections are under control. (They are still common in outdoor and unvaccinated cats.) The diseases that are now killing millions of cats are ones that many owners are not familiar with. These diseases are known by a confusing set of initials - FeLV, FIV and FIP.
About 10% of cats in this country are infected with one or more of these viruses. Once your cat becomes ill with any of these diseases, he or she will die. There are no effective treatments or cures. What will save cats' lives is preventing the spread of these infections through blood testing, keeping cats indoors and, when warranted, vaccination.
All three of these infections can be carried and spread for long periods of time by cats that are harboring the viruses with no obvious symptoms of disease. Cats who appear perfectly healthy can be infected, yet not come down with an illness for months or years. During these months or years, however, they are contagious to other cats.
1) The number one infectious disease killer of cats in the United States today is Feline
Leukemia Virus, or FeLV. FeLV destroys the cat's immune system so that he falls prey to anemia, cancer or infectious diseases that a healthy cat would not get. A simple blood test is 99% accurate in diagnosing the disease. The test is less accurate in kittens or in cats that have only recently been exposed to the disease. Many veterinarians routinely test all new cats and kittens entering a household. Vaccination may also be advised. Effective vaccines have been available for more than ten years and are often included in the same vaccine with distemper and the respiratory disease viruses.
Unfortunately, the vaccination for FeLV can be associated with a particular type of cancer called fibrosarcoma. Although the risk for cancer is low, and the potential for death from Feline Leukemia may be much greater, this is something you will need to discuss with your veterinarian.
2) The second leading disease killer of cats is Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP. FIP is a heartier virus than FeLV. It can survive in damp areas, such as the dirt in your garden or sandbox, for several months. You can track it into your house on your shoes, hands or clothes, so your cat may not be safe even if it stays indoors. A vaccine for FIP became available just a few years ago. It requires two initial doses about a month apart and then annual boosters after that. As with all vaccines, the cost is quite reasonable. This vaccine can save your cat's life.
The symptoms of FIP vary, but include fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen, fever, vomiting or diarrhea, liver inflammation, weight loss and debilitation. Once signs appear the disease progresses inevitably to death over several days, weeks or months.
Blood testing for FIP is not very accurate. FIP is caused by a particular strain of virus. The blood test will detect antibodies against many viruses in the coronavirus family to which FIP belongs, so it is not specific for FIP. The disease also seems to be dependant in part on a cat’s individual immune system. Cats may fight infection off, become persistent carriers of the virus without symptoms, or actually come down with the disease. Once symptoms appear, death is unavoidable. A firm diagnosis of the disease can only be made from tissue samples obtained via surgery or after death.
3) The last virus on our list is the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, FIV, a relative of the HIV virus that causes AIDS in people. This virus is present in up to 10% of the cat population in some areas and seems to be becoming more prevalent with time. We have no vaccine yet for this disease. However, there is a good blood test that will tell you whether your cat is a carrier for this disease. If you have not had your cat tested for this disease, you might want to ask your veterinarian about it since these test results will influence all your health care decisions for the rest of your cat's life.
As with the AIDS virus in people, FIV can be carried by a cat for years before symptoms develop. Anemia, low white blood cell counts and susceptibility to infectious disease and cancer eventually develop. Although treatment may slow the course of the disease, it will eventually be fatal.
Rules to remember to help prevent the spread of these fatal diseases:
1) Keep your cat indoors. The more time he or she spends outside, the more exposure there is to infectious disease.
2) NEVER bring a new cat or kitten into the household and let it interact with other cats and kittens until you have it, and the resident cat, tested and vaccinated. Keep any new arrivals in a separate room with separate food and water bowls, and litter box, until your veterinarian tells you it's safe. Many of the cases of FeLV and FIP we see occur in an indoor cat in a household that recently adopted a new cat or kitten. Keeping new arrivals separated also cuts down the spread of parasites and respiratory infections.
WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER HANDLING EITHER PET IF THEY ARE NOT TESTED AND VACCINATED. Also wash your hands after petting any unfamiliar cats outside your home.
3) Remember, 1 out of every 10 cats is carrying one of these viruses, healthy looking or not. That 1 cat in 10 may be a cat in your house right now.
4) If your pet becomes ill with any of these three diseases it will die. We may be able to extend the cat's life but we cannot save it. For a long, healthy life, be sure your companions are protected!
