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feline leukemia
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Feline leukemia
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Also called:
feline lymphosarcoma
Related Topics:
disease
cat
feline
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Feline leukemia
Feline leukemia Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), electron micrograph.

feline leukemia

disease
Also known as: feline lymphosarcoma
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

feline leukemia, viral disease of cats, one of the most serious diseases affecting domestic cats and a few other Felidae. The disease occurs worldwide. Signs include enlargement of the lymph nodes, depression, emaciation, and, frequently, diarrhea; there is no known treatment, and the outcome is usually fatal. A fluorescent antibody test developed in the 1970s produced evidence that the virus is present in many apparently healthy cats. Preventive vaccines are available. The disease can spread among animals; however, there is no proved connection with leukemia in humans.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.