How Do I Know If My Cat Has Feline Leukemia?

See Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a fatal infectious retrovirus that
affects the immune system, and can cause some cancers and associated
diseases. Although it is similar to the virus that causes feline
immunodeficiency disease (FIV) and the virus responsible for human AIDS
(HIV), studies so far indicate that it cannot be passed on to other
animals or to humans. FeLV causes lymphosarcoma, also known as feline
leukemia, a cancer of the lymph nodes. In 1964, the FeLV virus was
first discovered in a household of cats with a high percentage of
leukemia cases.The three forms of feline leukemia are chest, abdominal, and
multicentric. The signs that the cat shows depend on the lymph nodes
and organs involved.
1.Chest symptoms include enlarged chest lymph nodes, compressed windpipe
and esophagus, fluid accumulation in the chest, breathing difficulties,
coughing, and gagging.
2.In abdominal leukemia, malignant cells may be present in the intestine,
lymph nodes, liver, spleen, or kidney. There may be a decrease in
appetite,depression,, weight loss, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, anemia, and jaundice.
3.Multicentric leukemia causes greatly enlarged lymph nodes under the
skin and tumor formation in many organs. The cat may or may not have a
fever.

Feline leukemia is caused by a virus called feline leukemia virus. It destroy immune system and causes some cancer. It is also called AIDS virus of cats. There can be 3 types of these leukemia like multi centric, chest and abdominal. Signs and symptoms include area involved. Generally, if any diseases is not being treated by any medicine, you can suspect feline leukemia. The symptoms can be

1. Swollen lymph nodes
2. fever
3. Lack of activity
4. Lack of energy
5. Loss of appetite
6. Anemia
7. Re-occurrence of Infections
   
8. Bloody stools
9. Changes in bowl habits
10. jaundice
    

There can be many more. Runny eyes can also be due to some allergy. It will be good to see a doctor.

Take your cat to the vet immediately and have it tested.  You must not let it interact with any other cats, and hopefully it hasn't already.  This disease is like human AIDs to cats.  I was going to rescue a cat once, and had it tested prior to bringing it home.  Good thing I did, because I had another cat at home who was healthy, and I could have jeopardized her health.  I was lucky to find a home for her to a woman who had a cat that was also exposed to feline lukemia.  She only lived two years longer with booster shots from the vet.  TAKE THIS CAT TO THE VET.  Also, cats that are kept outside, or inside and out, have a much higher percentage rate of getting this disease.  My cats are inside only, and safer all around.  A cat with lukemia can contaminate a home, via carpet and such and a healthy cat can get it that way as well.  So be careful when moving into apartments, ask if carpets have been steam cleaned.

Take your cat to the vet and get her tested for FeLV and FIV if you're worried. But runny eyes could mean anything. I have seven cats. One of mine has persistently runny eyes, and it's only because he was born without tear ducts, so his eyes are always watery. Your vet can check if your cat has tear ducts, but the cat would have to be asleep while he/she does it because he/she has to poke around with a needle, so you're better off just bringing the cat in and your vet can test the fluid/tears for viruses. If you cat HAS tear ducts, then watery eyes probably mean a common cat eye infection, like pink eye or chlamydia, which are both cured with a couple weeks of ointment. Although it's better to get cats from a 'healthy' place, like a rescue or breeder, ALL of my cats are ones I found outside as strays, and NONE have FeLV or FIV.

The Feline Leukemia virus mostly infects cats. This virus is developed by contact with other cats so an infected cat has caused this virus in your cat.

This virus does not have too many symptoms. Any small kind of infection can lead to major sickness and defense system of cat can not help to control this disease. This disease is somewhat contagious so you cat needs a medical checkup.

leukemia symptoms observed in cats:

Loss of appetite
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Slow but progressive weight loss, followed by severe wasting late in the disease process
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Poor coat condition
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Enlarged lymph nodes
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Persistent fever
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Pale gums and other mucus membranes
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Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and mouth (stomatitis)
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Infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and upper respiratory tract
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Persistent diarrhea

Runny eyes is a sign of feline herpes virus, if the cat is having difficult breathing and has a fever then they have feline herpes with a second bacterial infection. The cat needs a vet immediatly as time lost can mean vision loss. Please take it to get medicine right away and don't make it suffer

Do cats with Leukemia sneeze?

Are cats prone to kidney infections and can they be fatal

I had a rescue who had leukemia, he was a wonderful cat and was able to beat it with a lot of care on my part. Usually they will have major weight loss and lethargy. You will notice a huge difference in your cats ultimate behavior, sleeping all the time, difficulty getting up and moving. You need to take this cat to a vet and get him taken care of, do not let it around other animals its very contagiousto other cats but not harmful to humans. If your cat has any chance of beating this virus he needs help now and fast from you and your vet