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This hair loss leads to all the fur on your furniture and clothing, but it’s normal. However, cats can experience too much hair loss and develop bald spots or areas with thin fur. This abnormal hair loss (also called Alopecia) can be caused by many different health issues, including allergies, fleas, mites, Ringworm, pain, and stress. The acute stage of FeLV infection occurring 2–6 weeks after infection is rarely detected but typically characterized by mild fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy, and cytopenia. Cats unable to mount an adequate immune response may become regressively or progressively infected.
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It is generally treated with various dips or oral medications, but some vets also recommend shaving the infected cat completely to help control the fungus. Once the ringworm fungus is gone, the hair should regrow, but know it may take several weeks or even months. Pyoderma is a bacterial infection that commonly sets in when the skin is traumatized from scratching and biting.
Understanding the First Signs of Feline Leukemia
About 30-40% of cats have a partially effective immune response following exposure to the virus and develop a regressive infection. While a cat has a regressive infection, it cannot actively infect other cats with the disease, and it is very unlikely to experience clinical signs from FeLV. However, it is possible for the virus to reactivate and start replicating again, especially if the cat becomes immunosuppressed through illness or medications. When this happens, the cat is again infectious to other cats and at risk of developing clinical illness. As with all mammals, the shedding of hair is a completely normal process for felines.
Recovery of Hair Loss Related To Cancer in Cats
The objective here will not be to regain lost hair, but to prevent pain and infection in exposed areas. Owners should consult with their veterinarians as to their best options regarding the cat's comfort and quality of life considerations. Virus is shed in very high quantities in saliva and nasal secretions, but also in urine, feces, and milk from infected cats. Cat-to-cat transfer of virus may occur from a bite wound, during mutual grooming, and (though rarely) through the shared use of litter boxes and feeding dishes. FeLV doesn't survive long outside a cat's body—probably less than a few hours under normal household conditions. Hair loss in cats with feline leukemia can be a distressing symptom for pet owners.
Although the development of cancer is one outcome of FeLV infection, other diseases are more common. In many cats, FeLV infection results in a moderate to severe suppression of the immune system. This means that the infected cat is less able to defend itself against a wide range of infections that would not normally cause a problem in healthy cats. Affected cats may develop various clinical signs, and there is a progressive deterioration in their health over time. Most FeLV-infected cats will eventually die or require humane euthanasia due to diseases related to their infection. However, many cats showing FeLV-related disease will improve with symptomatic treatment, at least temporarily.
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You should read your policy and review your Declarations page for complete information on the coverages you are provided. If there is any conflict between the policy and this summary, the provisions of the policy shall prevail. While it can be emotionally taxing to receive a cat leukemia diagnosis, it's important to stay calm while you put together a plan with your veterinarian. The best course of action you can take is to follow their advice to a T. While removal of the tumor is a good step, it may not cure the cat as, in many cases, the cancer has spread.
Hair Loss in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
After exposure, the virus will spread into the bone marrow and organs before the body can eliminate it from the bloodstream. The infected cat won’t normally develop further disease unless their immune system becomes compromised and it is “reactivated.” Infected cats are not contagious unless they have the active form of FeLV. Clinical signs of feline leukemia virus come from the blood cells being attacked. Initially, cats may show little signs of infection until the virus has strengthened and taken over more of their immune system. Over time, clinical signs may become more involved as cats develop cancers secondary to the leukemia virus.
Diseases Caused by FeLV
Unfortunately, there is no cure for FeLV, so treatment is aimed at managing the specific problems caused by the disease. For example, this could involve managing gum inflammation with dental treatment, providing antibiotics for secondary infections, and treating the anemia (where appropriate) with blood transfusions. Treatment for each cat will vary depending on their case but is aimed at extending a good quality of life for as long as possible.
Hair Loss Related To Cancer Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
For environmental allergens, there are treatments to reduce the allergic reaction. Diagnosis of FeLV-induced neoplasia is similar to that of other tumors. Cytologic examination of fine-needle aspirates of masses, lymph nodes, body cavity fluids (eg, pleural effusion), and affected organs may reveal malignant lymphocytes. Bone marrow examination may reveal leukemic involvement, even when the peripheral blood appears normal. Biopsy with histologic examination of abnormal tissues is often necessary for diagnostic confirmation.
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You can reduce your cat’s risk of contracting feline leukemia with regular vaccination. It is recommended that cats who spend any time outdoors—or cats that have exposure to potentially infected cats—get an annual vaccination. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends all kittens be vaccinated within their first year. Young kittens start the vaccine series at 8 weeks of age and receive a booster 3 to 4 weeks later.
Platelet dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia are all possible sequelae as well. There’s no cure for FeLV, but there is a preventative vaccine if your cat is more likely to be exposed to the virus. The only completely effective method of protecting cats from FeLV is to prevent exposure to cats who are positive for the virus. Alopecia is the partial or complete lack of hair in areas where it is normally present. Hair loss is a sign, and its underlying cause must be determined in order to be treated. If a cat has hair loss and is scratching the area excessively, the itching problem should be investigated first.
Most positive tests should have follow up testing performed 6-12 weeks later to determine if the FeLV infection is progressive or regressive. Because of the different ways a cat’s body can react to FeLV infection, more than one test is generally required to accurately diagnose the disease. No single test at one time point is sufficient to determine if a cat has a progressive FeLV infection. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
She is a passionate advocate of preventative medicine, educating clients, and believes medicine never has a one size fits all approach. When not vetting, her happy place is out walking the hills with her baby daughter and over-excited Labrador in tow, and writing. Stages of Infection Following exposure to FeLV, infections may progress in several different ways. Only a few drops of blood are needed, and most veterinary clinics can run the test in-house.
Vaccines are indicated only for uninfected cats because there is no benefit in vaccinating an FeLV-positive cat. An IFA tests for the presence of FeLV p27 and other structural core antigens in the cytoplasm of cells. In clinical practice, peripheral blood smears are usually used for IFA; however, cytologic preparations of bone marrow or other tissues can also be used. An IFA requires submission to a diagnostic laboratory and cannot detect infection until bone marrow involvement occurs. False-negative test results may occur because of technical error, leukopenia, or lack of bone marrow involvement, whereas technical error is most often the cause of false-positive results. Like ELISA, IFA may not detect regressive infection because of the lack of sufficient viral antigen production.
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