Will CBD prevent the development of FeLV in cats?
For most breeders, their pets are full-fledged members of the family. Their passing can be very devastating to the owner. Even more so when the disease strikes suddenly and has a very rapid progression. One such case is FeLV - feline leukaemia virus. Can CBD drops prevent this insidious disease? Or at least slow down its progression and ensure a good quality life for your feline friend as far as possible?
There is a problem with cats. Unlike dogs, they do not draw attention to their health problems and behave rather solitary. They don't experience pain, they don't seek out contact, they don't demand attention, they don't meow. It is their owners who must notice minor deviations from normal behaviour and seek veterinary help. Unfortunately, this usually happens only when the disease is already in an advanced stage.
What is FeLV?
FeLV is the name for feline leukemia virus (Latin for feline leukemia virus). It is an unfamiliar term to many breeders. About three percent of cats struggle with the disease. Although there is a vaccination available that is given to kittens at eight and twelve weeks, the vast majority of cats do not receive it. There are several reasons for this. The first is probably the higher cost, which can run into thousands of crowns, and the second is that people are not interested in FeLV and vets often do not actively offer the vaccine to cat owners.
It is a virus that progresses through the cat's body and attacks the immune system. Pets that have other health problems, such as respiratory problems, impaired kidney and heart function, a history of lymphomas (cancers of the lymphatic system) and sarcomas (malignant tumours in connective tissues), or diabetes, are many times more likely to develop FeLV than healthy individuals. Leukemia manifests differently in each cat. Sometimes within a few days, other times the disease can run rampant in the body for several months before breaking out in full force. The only thing to do is to monitor the cat's behaviour and look out for changes in its habits, appearance or signs of pain.
How FeLV manifests itself:
- Significant weight loss (over a kilogram in a matter of weeks)
- Deteriorated coat quality
- Loss of appetite
- Enlargement of lymph nodes
- Inflamed gums, loss of colour
- Small breathing
- Fever
- Urinary tract infection
- Purulence in the eyes
Transmission of FeLV is unfortunately relatively easy and rapid. It is spread through saliva, oronasal secretions, urine and faeces. Therefore, if the cat goes outdoors or shares the household with other animals where the owner has no idea of active viral leukaemia infection, the risk of infection is high. Not only biting or scratching, but also sharing crates or bowls and toilets is risky.
Viral feline leukemia falls into three categories. All of them cause serious health problems, sharply reduce the animal's quality of life and lead to death.
FeLV-A
This type of virus is found in all infected cats and mostly attacks the immune system, which stops protecting the body. Although the progression of the disease is the slowest and the animal may live for several months, its condition worsens and problems with movement and breathing become more severe.
FeLV-B
About half of all cases of FeLV present with variant B. In this case, cats suffer from abnormal tissue growth and tumors appear.
FeLV-C
The third type of FeLV is relatively rare and affects only one percent of infected cats. It is characterized by a subtle disease progression and anemia (anemia), where the animal loses energy and interest in its surroundings.
Treatment and prevention options
The only way to protect your cat is prevention. Have your cat tested for the presence of the virus in its body before taking it from a shelter or breeder. You can have the animal vaccinated while it is still a kitten. However, the vaccine is not 100% and you can give your cat maximum protection by avoiding contact with other animals.
Viral feline leukaemia can only be detected by a blood test, but the disease cannot be cured. Vets can put you on medication for associated problems that accelerate and worsen the development of FeLV, such as breathing problems or inappetence. However, these are usually medications that have a number of side effects and can even lead to a deterioration in health if the immune system is compromised.
FeLV and CBD
Cat owners don't have many options to relieve their cat of their ailments. There's no telling how much time the animal has left. Deterioration of the condition can come from one day to the next. Sometimes it is a very rapid progression, with the end coming within a few weeks, while other times the cat may live another year or two.
Cannabidiol is an interesting alternative to dampen some of the problems exacerbated by FeLV. This is because it is a cannabinoid compound and a substance that the WHO (World Health Organization) has deemed safe. There is quite a wide range of products directly for animals on the market. In principle, it is not a problem to give a cat CBD oil intended for humans, only the THC content should be avoided. If you are not sure whether your CBD oil contains THC and in what amount (in the Czech Republic the legal limit for THC content is 1%, in most other European countries 0.3%), always choose CBD oil intended for animals. Such oils contain a so-called broad-spectrum hemp extract (containing other cannabinoids besides CBD except THC) or CBD isolate (cannabidiol only), mixed with the selected carrier oil. Hemp seed oil can serve as a carrier oil, as can olive oil. More digestible carrier oils for cats include coconut oil or salmon oil.
How CBD can relieve cats from FeLV infection:
- Relieve chronic pain
- Support appetite
- Inflammation reduction
- Strengthening the immune system
- Improving sleep (regular rest)
There is no cure for FeLV. Feline viral leukemia is an aggressive disease with a rapid onset, and there is no known cure that will give animals more years of life. However, many cat owners turn to CBD for their cats, which, according to their reviews, can relieve their pets of the most pressing problems and suppress the pain and inflammation that exacerbate the condition. Taking cannabidiol won't stop the disease, but it may make the last weeks or months of a pet's life a little calmer.
Summary
No research has confirmed the effect of CBD on FeLV (feline viral leukemia). However, cannabidiol has a great potential to relieve chronic pain, fight inflammation, counteract anxiety and lack of appetite, and positively influence the immune system, which may dampen the symptoms of the disease. However, it depends on the associated problems and the stage of the disease.
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