FIV E FELV E SUAS CORRELAÇÕES COM PARÂMETROS HEMATOLÓGICOS EM FELINOS DOMÉSTICOS

Abstract

Feline retroviruses, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), pose significant clinical challenges due to their capacity to induce immunosuppression and hematological abnormalities, particularly anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. While FIV primarily targets T lymphocytes and leads to progressive immunosuppression, FeLV affects the bone marrow and may result in severe anemia and neoplastic conditions. This quantitative, descriptive, and correlational study analyzed 50 cats treated at the MariClin Veterinary Clinic from September 2024 to September 2025. All animals were tested for FIV and FeLV and underwent complete blood counts, considering variables such as sex, age, reproductive status, and hematological alterations. Data were processed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation, with a significance level of 5%. The sample showed a predominance of young and adult males, with coinfection occurring mainly in this group, reinforcing territorial behavior as a risk factor. FeLV presented the highest number of isolated positives. Among the hematological abnormalities observed, thrombocytopenia was the most frequent (46%), followed by anemia (6%) and leukopenia (6%). The findings highlight the significant impact of FIV and FeLV on feline hematological health, emphasizing the importance of regular testing, early diagnosis, and integrated evaluation combining serological tests and blood counts. Identifying correlations between viral infection and hematological changes supports more effective clinical management, assists in prognosis, and contributes to prevention and control strategies, promoting better welfare and reducing the spread of retroviruses.