If you are wondering if your cat has leukemia, then you need to become educated on what it is and what Feline Leukemia symptoms to look out for.
Feline Leukemia is a virus that pertains specifically to cats. Since the diseases is contagious, and passed between cats primarily by close contact with each other, Feline Leukemia symptoms can be evident in more than one cat in a home. The virus that is Feline Leukemia is present in all of the bodily fluids, which include urine, saliva, feces, tears, blood and other discharges. Most often the virus is passed when cats share water or food bowls, when they groom each other, when they fight each other or share a litter box. There is even the possibility that a mother can pass the virus onto newborn kittens before they are born. Cats who primarily live indoors have a smaller risk factor to contacting Feline Leukemia than outdoor cats, mainly due to lack of exposure to social outdoor cats and fight risks among felines.
Feline Leukemia symptoms are not always evident. There are many cats whom test positive for Feline Leukemia that show no evidence that the virus has taken a hold of them. Most cat owners will find out the cat has contacted the disease when their feline has a normal blood check-up. The problem with Feline Leukemia is that when it does show symptoms, those symptoms usually mimic other diseases.
Generally, Feline Leukemia is a viral experience that suppresses the immune system of the cat, so Feline Leukemia symptoms usually show first as symptoms of other sicknesses. This will make your cat susceptible to infections that are secondary in nature. They may be bacterial, fungal, or viral, and will affect any system of the body. For this reason, any time that a feline falls ill, Feline Leukemia should be considered as a cause that has potential. Ruling out Feline Leukemia closest to when your cat becomes sick will give you the best opportunity to treat your cat thoroughly.