Feline Leukemia is serious pet illness that has no cure. Luckily, doctors have developed a way to screen for the virus that causes feline leukemia, and an inoculation that can prevent the virus in cats. The disease can occur in any age cat, but usually occurs in young cats or cats with weak immune systems. Cats can spread it among each other, but it is not the same type of leukemia that strikes humans.
There are some treatments available for cats with the feline leukemia virus that can prolong their lives with a good quality of life for a short time. Some signs of the disease include diarrhea, fever, seizures, behavior changes, weight loss combined with loss of appetite, and others. Once a cat is infected with the disease, it can infect other cats, and it has little chance of long-term survival.
Since feline leukemia can be prevented by inoculation, it is best to test for the disease when you first get a cat, and inoculate it immediately. The testing only takes a few minutes, and most pet illness insurance policies will cover the cost of these precautions. Check with your pet illness insurance provider if you're not sure if they cover these items.
