- FeLV+ cats often have a shortened lifespan, but can still live relatively normal, healthy lives. The signs and symptoms of infection with feline leukemia virus are quite varied and include loss of appetite, poor coat condition, anisocoria (uneven pupils), infections of the skin, bladder, and respiratory tract, oral disease, seizures, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), skin lesions, fatigue, fever, weight loss, stomatitis, gingivitis, litter box avoidance, pancytopenia, recurring bacterial and viral illnesses, anemia, diarrhea and jaundice.
FeLV infection can lead to cancers in a variety of tissues, organs, and body sites. When it affects cells in the bone marrow, it can cause blood cancer like leukemia (elevated circulating white blood cells).
Feline leukemia virus adversely affects the cat's body in many ways. It is the most common cause of cancer in cats, it may cause various blood disorders, and it may lead to a state of immune deficiency that hinders the cat's ability to protect itself against other infections.
- It can weaken your pets immune system, and will render her susceptible to other health conditions, such as skin infections, urinary tract infections, and cancer. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects cats by integrating its genetic material into the hosts DNA.
