What should I do if my cat has leukemia? Feline leukemia is a general term for several different types of malignant neoplastic diseases. Among them, the most serious harm to cats is feline malignant lymphoma.

Feline malignant lymphoma is caused by feline leukemia virus and feline sarcoma virus. First, the disease is transmitted vertically, that is, a sick mother cat can transmit the virus to her fetus through the uterus or to her kittens through the milk of a sick mother cat. Another route of transmission is indirect transmission through fomites such as food bowls. In addition, blood-sucking insects may also become vectors.

In the early stages, sick cats have no obvious symptoms, but later develop progressive weight loss, anemia, lethargy, loss of appetite, and some have symptoms such as coughing and vomiting. The most striking symptom is enlarged and hardened lymph nodes throughout the body. In the advanced stages, cats completely lose their appetite and refuse to eat or even drink.

There is currently no effective treatment for this disease. Once diagnosed, a veterinarian should be asked to perform euthanasia as soon as possible. Children and pregnant women should not be exposed to sick cats.