Myelodysplasia is a group of blood disorders affecting the formation of blood cells in the body especially, but not exclusive to bone marrow. The medical term for blood cell formation is hematopoiesis and is also referred to as hemotogenesis or sanguification. You will come across many medical terms referring to myelodysplasia including preleukemia, myeloid leukemia, oligoleukemia, odoleukemia, refactory anemia, and more. Though blood formation is present, somehow the proper formation of blood is obstructed, by plaque (fatty buildup) tumors, and other obstructions.
A condition called Erythremic myelosis occurs where the blood cells are immature and do not regenerate to produce more cells. Once this condition is present in cats, it will progress into acute leukemia within a matter of months.
Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia a cancer of the white blood cells and is considered to be a viral disease, Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV) effects thousands of wild and domestic animals yearly. This virus is contagious and will infect other cats through body secretions and cat saliva. Cats transmit the disease during grooming, sharing litter boxes and feeding bowls, and biting each other. A pregnant cat can infect her unborn kittens or pass on the disease while nursing. The potency of the virus will last between 2 and 48 hours depending upon if it is present in a dry or damp area such as a cat litter box.
Some cats which were previously exposed to the virus develop IgG antibodies which provide immunity against further infection. Kittens under the age of eight months are susceptible to the virus but as they age they become more resistant to it. Some cats never get the disease itself but become carriers passing the virus onto other cats.
There are more cats in the city contracting FelV than country cats because they have more contact with each other.
To date no cure has been found but the good news is feline leukemia is treatable with a comprehensive treatment plan. However, there is still the possibility that your cat may have to be euthanized.
Causes of Feline Leukemia
The cause of Feline Leukemia has yet to be discovered. The contributing factors are:
Stress
Airborne and other pollutants
An improper diet which includes chemical additives and preservatives
These factors are known to damage and impair your cat's immune system and thus weaken the body's ability to ward off cancer cells.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Feline Leukemia are somewhat general and involve a number of things such as vomiting, fever, weight loss, general or chronic illness, weakness, lethargy, anemia, behavioral changes, diarrhea, Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) discoloration of the mouth and gums (loss of the pink or red color) and a yellowish color in the sclera (whites of the eye). There could also be signs of blood in feces, and hind leg paralysis. It is wise to consult your veterinarian if any of these symptoms should occur but most crucial when several appear at once.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually done through blood tests. There are two tests available at this time. There is the Elisa which is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the Ifa or immunofluorescence assay, (known also as the Hardy or slide test).
Treatment for Feline Leukemia
Prevention remains the best fight against the disease. Prevention includes proper diet, annual visits to the veterinarian and immunizations against the disease.
Once you find out that your cat indeed has feline leukemia, educate yourself, and learn as much as you can about the disease. Make sure you provide your cat with a proper diet approved by a veterinarian that is designed to booster your cat's immune system and slow down the spread of cancer to surrounding cells.
Consult with your veterinarian to provide a comprehensive therapy program for your cat which includes drug therapy, aromatherapy, supportive therapy, and can include the newer holistic healing programs, homeopathy, and acupuncture.
Herbal therapy has afforded some success in the treatment of Feline Leukemia. Herb therapy has been a natural remedy used for centuries in eastern countries. Medical research confirms that herbal therapy is effective in bolstering the immune system, slowing down the growth of malignant (cancerous) tumors and the spread of cancer to otherwise normal blood cells. Again as a caution, consult with your veterinarian before attempting any of these remedies on your own.
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