Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

Outdoor cats and cats in multiple-cat environments are considered the most at-risk for contracting feline leukemia, a virus spread through warm fluids, such as nasal secretions, saliva, urine, or a mother’s milk. It can also be spread from a mother to her kittens while they are still in the womb. Grooming one-another and fighting tend to be the most common ways in which the virus spreads. Because feline leukemia cannot survive outside of a host, ordinary detergents, including bleach, successfully kill the virus on household surfaces.

The virus only affects cats and cannot be transmitted to humans, dogs, or any other animal. Through immunosuppression, FeLV impairs the affected cat’s immune system and is capable of causing a variety of diseases such as liver disease and intestinal disease as well as certain types of cancer. Because of their impaired immune system, cats with FeLV are also highly susceptible to various general infections.


What are the symptoms of FeLV? 

  • Avoiding litter box
  • Bladder infection
  • Diarrhea
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Seizures
  • Skin lesions which may or may not be infected
  • Tumors 
  • Uneven pupils
  • Weight loss
  • Wiry, coarse coat
  • Wobbly gait

Diagnosing and treating FeLV

The process of diagnosis for FeLV is through a blood test.

Because there is no known cure for feline leukemia, there is no specific treatment. This is why we offer a non-core vaccination for feline leukemia at all of our vaccine cat appointments. 


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