Cat Leukemia – Keep Your Kitty Safe!
Posted by admin | Under Cat Health Saturday Jul 3, 2010
Cats, just like any other animal and their caretakers, can get sick. If you love cats and own them, there are some things you should know about the illnesses that can affect your feline friend.
Leukemia
Feline leukemia virus falls into the category of retroviruses because of the way infected cells behave. The virus produces an enzyme that inserts copies of the virus’s own genetic material into the infected cells.
It doesn’t matter where you are, your cat can be infected with this disease. The best prevention is to keep your Cat Healthy by maintaining its diet and seeing the vet regularly for any and all shots.
How Do Cats Become Infected?
Feline leukemia spreads from cat to cat. There is no limit to the ways it can be spread. Even just sharing a litter box with an infected cat might be enough to spread the disease. Unborn kittens aren’t safe from this disease since mother cats can pass feline leukemia off to their unborn offspring.
What type of cats have a greater risk of being infected?
Any cat is at risk of being infected, although some cats are at a greater risk than most. If a cat is living with other cats that are infected or it is unknown whether they are infected with feline leukemia virus, risks of the cat becoming infected are very high.
If you allow your cats to roam free out of doors then their chances of contracting this disease increases. They run a greater risk of coming in contact with infected cats and being bitten or scratched, allowing the virus to transfer itself. Kittens have a greater risk of becoming infected, especially when they are nursing since the virus can be transmitted through the mother’s milk. Also, they have weaker immune systems.
Feline Leukemia: How to spot the symptoms and what it does to your feline
Feline Leukemia works very much like HIV in humans. It attacks the immune system of your cat, making it difficult for your cat to fight off even the most minor of illnesses. It can cause other health problems for your cat as well, such as blood disorders and has been linked as being a source of cancer in cats.
At first, your cat may show no signs of the virus at all. But over time, your cat’s health will begin to deteriorate or he may suffer from re-occurring illnesses. Some of the main signs that you may notice are loss of appetite and weight-loss. At first, weight-loss will be minimal, but late in the disease, you may notice your cat wasting away.
Poor coat condition and a persistent fever, along with enlarged lymph nodes, and persistent diarrhea, are also telltale signs. You may also notice your cat has pale, inflamed gums, infections such as urinary, repertory or skin and eye conditions. Mother cats that have become infected will also have reproductive problems such as aborting kittens.
By paying attention to your cats health and following these tips, you may be able to avoid this dangerous cat illness.
David P Lee
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/cat-leukemia-keep-your-kitty-safe-122987.html
What should I do for my cat who is pregnant?
My cat, conveniently named Mama, has had two litters before the one she is carrying now. The two previous litters were born and raised outside because originally that’s where I found Mama. She wasn’t completely wild, but still kind of nervous around people. Gradually, she has become a lot more friendly. I have two of my own cats that are fixed and live inside. I was concerned about Mama because the last litter she had I could only find one kitten and after a month the kitten started having seizures and within a day and a half I had the kitten put down. They did a couple tests on Una, the kitten, and I know the one I believe it was for Feline Leukemia was negative, but every seizure she just got worse and she just wasn’t normal any longer so I made the difficult decision to have her put down. I thought maybe, there was some kind of trauma or maybe Una got into to something bad for her because she was becoming curious and roaming around, I just don’t know. The first litter seemed normal. I believe she had five but I only see two now. Strays usually come and go around here so I’m assuming the others just wondered off. The two that are still around are very friendly and don’t usually stray very far. I planned on getting all three, Mama, Socks (female) and Toby (male) spayed and neutered. But a couple weeks later I noticed Mama pregnant again so I brought her inside so I could observe her pregnancy and birth. She seems normal according to all the research I’ve been doing. I thought for sure she’d have the kittens last week but she didn’t and this week she has gotten increasingly bigger and now I can feel them moving in her tummy. I have an area ready for her and she’s been laying in it a little but she is persistent on going back outside. In fact, one day she did escape when my family left the door open. It took 2 to 3 days I believe searching for her and finally she showed up where I put food out for the them. So I brought her back in but like I said, she’ll comfortably hang out and sleep in my bedroom and go into the area I set up for her but after a bit she’ll go to the window and scratch at it and meow but I’m scared to let her out because I don’t know where she goes. I’m asking for an opinion from someone more experienced I guess, should I let her out and basically fend for herself or should I keep her inside where I know she’s safe and has food and water and an area to have the kittens? She seems mostly content except for when she appears to have the urge to go back outside. I’m extremely excited about the kittens and I plan on getting Mama spayed after she has safely raised the babies. Sorry for my long story, but I just wanted to let you in a bit on Mama’s life so I could ask for your opinion. I have always been a cat person since I was a little girl, I know a lot of kitty facts and behavior but when it comes to birth I’m a little wobbly. Thanks once again.
Lisa
If at all possible keep Mama inside for her delivery. Outside predators, climate and parasites could harm the litter. She will look for a dark, quiet place to birth. Cats can become pregnant almost immediately after giving birth so have her spayed ASAP. Your vet can advise on time.
References :
uhhhh ask a vet they will know what to do it is free to call a vet u know
References :
Here’s an answer from someone who has had 20 cats in my life, and currently a total of 6. Many of which I’ve raised from birth.
Since it’s obvious that you care about this cat by naming and feeding her, I suggest you do everything you can to keep her inside. This way, you know no harm will come to her, or her babies. If you do this, get Socks and Toby inside too, this way she won’t want to instinctually go out to check on them.
"The first litter seemed normal. I believe she had five but I only see two now. Strays usually come and go around here so I’m assuming the others just wondered off." You don’t mention how old they were when they "wandered off". If they were young and outside, they could easily have been eaten by a predator.
The regular gestation period for cats is between 58 and 65 days, or approximately 9 weeks. If you can feel the babies moving, it should be within a week or two that the birthing will occur. Don’t interfere with the process and resist the urge to handle the kittens unless it is clear that the mother or baby is in distress.
I hope the area you’ve made is secluded. It’s best to have a box cut so one side has an opening where the wall on that side is 6 inches high and make sure it has plenty of room so that she is comfortable and can move from one side to the other if she needs to change positions. This makes it easy for mom to get in and out while keeping the kittens contained until they’re old enough and strong enough to get out on their own. Lay down a clean towel that you don’t mind if it gets soiled for the birthing. When mom is done birthing, change out the towel with a fresh one. Don’t expect her to hang out there much until she actually does give birth.
She’ll still want to go out, and she’ll let you know, but in this case, it’s best for her and for your state of mind to keep her inside despite her protests. Keep her inside until she is on her way to the vet for her spay appointment. If you haven’t made the appointment, make it now. Different vets have different opinions on when they’ll do it. I feel that a month * after * they’re done weaning is best for they’re body since it allows the mammary glands to dry first. But this might be a challenge to keep her in for that long. Talk to your vet and go from there. It’s hard on her body to keep getting pregnant, and then there are so many little ones to find homes for. It’s best for all involved to keep her inside until she gets in the car to go to the vet to get fixed.
References :