Changes

[[Image:FeLV Electron Micrograph.jpg|thumb|right|150px|FeLV Electron Micrograph [http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp Public Health Image Library] Image #5610]]

[[Image:FeLV Electron Micrograph.jpg|thumb|right|150px|FeLV Electron Micrograph [http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp Public Health Image Library] Image #5610]]

*Oncogenic retrovirus

*Oncogenic retrovirus

*Causes neoplasia (lymphoma), myelosuppression (anaemia) and immunosuppression (of T cells)

*Causes neoplasia (lymphoma), myelosuppression (anaemia) and immunosuppression (of [[Lymphocytes - WikiBlood#T cells|T cells]])

*2 strains:  

*2 strains:  

**FeLV-A

**FeLV-A

*60% of cats will become immune to the disease and recover

*60% of cats will become immune to the disease and recover

*Cats that are persistantly viraemic will progress to develop FeLV-associated diseases

*Cats that are persistantly viraemic will progress to develop FeLV-associated diseases

*Some cats will become viraemic again if treated with corticosteroids or stressed if the infection lies dormant in the bone marrow

*Some cats will become viraemic again if treated with corticosteroids or stressed if the infection lies dormant in the [[Bone Marrow - Anatomy & Physiology|bone marrow]]

*Diagnosis:

*Diagnosis:

**ELISA

**ELISA

*Subtypes A, B and D

*Subtypes A, B and D

*Causes increased suscepitbilty to infections and neoplasia

*Causes increased suscepitbilty to infections and neoplasia

*Specifically destroys CD4+ T cells

*Specifically destroys [[Lymphocytes - WikiBloodHelper CD4+|CD4+ T cells]]

*Virus is present in saliva, blood and other bodily fluids

*Virus is present in saliva, blood and other bodily fluids

*Feral and outdoor cats (mostly tom cats) most at risk

*Feral and outdoor cats (mostly tom cats) are most at risk

*Virus replicates in lymphoid tissue

*Virus replicates in lymphoid tissue

*Can remain asymptomatic

*Can remain asymptomatic