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Show New vaccine injection offers protection from feline leukemia byNANCHALAT ' Record staff writer I "Feline leukemia is one of the most significant problems we see, and up to now we have not been able to do anything about it," said local veterinarian Lyle Jackson. But now, Jackson said, there is a new vaccine on the market that can help to check the spread of this disease which currently infects approximately one of every 10 cats in the United States. The disease is contagious and has been compared to AIDs, the human disease that affects its victim's immune system, Jackson said. "The only thing we can do when a cat tests positive for feline leukemia is to Try to alleviate the suffering. Fifty to 80 percent of them die within the year," he said. There is still no cure for feline leukemia, but Jackson said he is optimistic about the new vaccine Leukocell, which was recently licensed by the United STates Department of Agriculture and is being manufactured commercially by Norden Laboratories. Jackson said research indicates cats that live in multicat households, and cats that are more than eight years old are especially susceptible, but he recommends that all cat owners have their pets innoculated. The vaccine is administered in three preliminary doses and is then updated with an annual vaccination. "In time, I expect the vaccine to be incorporated with the other cat vaccines, but right now it requires a separate injection," Jackson said. Because the leukemia virus first attacks the cat's immune system, there may be no immediately visible symptoms, he said. However, the victim eventually is unable to fight off other infections, including cancer, respiratory ailments and reproductive failure. Some early symptoms may include depression, weight loss, decreased appetite or anemia, Jackson said. |