Prevalence of feline leukemia in stray domestic short-haired cats (Felis catus) in a public wet market in Los Baños, Laguna

Date

6-2015

Degree

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

College

College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Marco F. Reyes

Co-adviser

Marianne Leila S. Flores

Abstract

Cats manifest various diseases brought about by immunosuppression. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) may predispose the cats to other life-threatening disease, and prevalence of this in local domestic cats have been wanting. A total of 35 stray domestic short-haired cats of both sexes and various ages caught within the vicinity of a public wet market in Los Baños, Laguna were used in the study. The FeLV antigen was detected using a one-step immunochromatographic antigen test kit.The results showed that 6% (2/35) of the cats were FeLV antigen-positive. Both cats were adult males,and exhibited respiratory distress. Due to their behavioral habits, roaming and territoriality, adult male cats have a higher risk of infection. Hematologic examination showed that these cats had anemia. Although the prevalence in this study was low, these infected animals confirm the presence of the virus in an area where there is a high population of animals susceptible to the infection. Animal population control, market sanitation and responsible pet ownership are necessary to eliminate the virus in the area and prevent spread of disease.

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2015 V4 L84

Document Type

Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS