During the first few weeks after the initial infection, cats may have the following symptoms:
- Blood cytopenias (deficiency of any of the various cellular elements normally present in the blood)
- General malaise
- Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
- Mild fever
Symptoms depend on the type of virus and the stage of disease. Common general symptoms include:
- Anemia
- Blood in the stool
- Chronic, recurring infections (FeLV-infected cats are susceptible to bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and other viral infections.)
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased stamina
- Depression
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Excessive drinking and urination
- Infertility
- Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, mucous membranes, and body fluids)
- Low-grade fever
- Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
- Neuropathies, which can cause anisocoria and hind limb paralysis
- Weight loss
Symptoms in FeLV-infected pregnant cats include:
- Fading kittens that often develop symptoms that can lead to death within the first few weeks of life:
- Increased susceptibility to secondary bacterial and viral infections
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Stunted growth
- Thymic atrophy (wasting of the thymus gland)
- Wasting (loss of body mass)
- Fetal resorption (biochemical disintegration of fetuses)
- Spontaneous abortion
About 30% of FeLV-infected cats develop lymphoid or myeloid tumors (e.g., lymphoma, lymphoid leukemia, erythremic myelosis); lymphoma is the most common. Symptoms of FeLV-infected cats that have cancer include the following:
- Constipation
- Cloudy eyes
- Intestinal inflammation and diarrhea
- Liver or kidney disease
- Neurological abnormalities
- Respiratory distress
- Vomiting
Veterinarian-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 01 Mar 2001
Reviewed by: Under Construction
Last Reviewed:
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