M. Reinacher et al., A STUDY ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FELV INFECTION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIFFERENT LESIONS IN NECROPSIED CATS, Berliner und Munchener Tierarztliche Wochenschrift, 108(2), 1995, pp. 58-60
Persistent FeLV infection was demonstrated in more than 3000 necropsie
d cats by an immunohistological method. The findings were associated w
ith the diagnoses established by means of post-mortem examination, his
topathological, bacteriological, virological, and parasitological inve
stigations. Statistically significant differences between FeLV-positiv
e and FeLV-negative cats in the relative risk for certain lesions coul
d be demonstrated for the first time. As a consequence, the importance
of FeLV infection for the development of certain lesions in cats is t
o be seen under new aspects for some diagnoses. The relative risk for
development of anemia, e.g., is only slightly increased in FeLV-positi
ve animals whereas the relative risk for focal myocardial necrosis and
coccidiosis is elevated tremendously in these cats. The relative risk
for some lesions and diagnoses is much higher in FeLV-negative cats t
han in FeLV-positive animals, This is true, e.g., for myocardiopathy a
nd hemorrhagic cystitis.