Feline leukemia virus is a retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV can be transmitted from infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved.
FeLV vaccines protect cats from Feline Leukemia Virus, a feline-only virus that can lead to severe health problems such as anemia, immune suppression, and cancer. Cats under one year of age should receive the FeLV vaccine as its considered a core vaccine for them.
ABCD cats & vets: GUIDELINE for Feline Leukaemia Virus Infection.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most common and important infectious diseases in cats, affecting between 2-3% of all cats in the United States and Canada. Infection rates are significantly higher (up to 30%) in cats that are ill or otherwise at high risk (see below).
Protecting Your Cat From Feline Leukemia Virus. Keeping your cat indoors and away from infected cats is a sure way to prevent them from contracting FeLV. In addition, vaccines can be given to cats at high risk of exposure, such as those who go outside or live in shelters or catteries.
Causes of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). FeLV in cats is spread through saliva. It is spread most commonly from those exposed to one another for longer periods of time through mutual grooming, mating, or shared food/water/litter boxes.
Feline leukemia is sneaky. Cats may have no signs during early stages, and then over weeks, months or even years, health may progressively deteriorate. Or, an FeLV-positive cat may have recurrent illness interspersed with periods of relative health. Symptoms include
ly infected cats can continue to live a healthy. and happy life for many years, if well cared for. Figure 2 It can be helpful to think of the outcomes of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection in terms of a set of balance scales, with the cats immune response. on one side and the virus on the other.
