Hematologic abnormalities preceding apparent recovery from feline leukemia virus infection

A 5-month-old domestic short-haired cat was referred to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine because of hemorrhage from the mouth. Neutropenia and bone marrow dyscrasia developed within 2 weeks, and results of a fluorescent antibody test for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) were positive. During the next 6 months, the feline oncornavirus cell membrane-associated antibody titer increased, the hematologic abnormalities regressed, and the cat became negative to the FeLV fluorescent antibody test (FeLV test). The results of 3 consecutive FeLV tests were negative, and the cat has been clinically normal for the past 18 months.