Feline leukemia (FeLV) is caused by a retrovirus which infects cats. It is passed from one cat to another through contact with bodily fluids. Your cat can become infected by exposure to a FeLV infected cat through grooming, fighting, sharing food or water bowls, or sharing litter boxes.
Infection with feline leukemia virus can also be passed from a mother cat to her kittens.
According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners in their 2008 Retroviral Management Guidelines, 2.3 % of all cats tested in 2004 tested positive for FeLV. That means more than 2 out of every 100 cats is infected with the feline leukemia virus.
Symptoms of Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia can cause a variety of different symptoms and needs to be considered in the diagnosis of any sick cat. It can mimic many other disease conditions.
Signs associated with feline leukemia viral infection include:
- anemia
- hematological disorders
- secondary and opportunistic infections
- neoplasia (cancers)
- chronic inflammatory conditions
- eye disease
- skin abscesses
- inflammation in the mouth
Diagnosing Feline Leukemia
The diagnosis of feline leukemia is done with a blood test. A simple screening test known as an Elisa FeLV test is the most commonly performed test and is often combined with a test for feline AIDS, which is caused by a virus which is similar but not the same as the feline leukemia virus.
Testing is recommended for all cats. Specifically, cats and kittens should be tested:
- at the time of adoption
- any time a cat or kitten is introduced to a multiple-cat household
- any time the feline leukemia virus status is unknown
- if a cat or kitten is going to be vaccinated for feline leukemia virus
- any time a cat is exposed to another cat of unknown feline leukemia status
- any time a cat is sick, regardless of previous tests results or vaccination
If the screening test is positive, your veterinarian may advise repeating the test in a few months if your cat is healthy. Alternatively, your veterinarian may recommend more specific testing, such as IFA testing, to confirm infection.
A positive test for feline leukemia virus in a clinically normal cat indicates exposure, not clinical disease. Decisions to euthanize cats should not be made based on positive test results alone.
Managing a Cat Infected with Feline Leukemia Virus
Healthy cats with a positive FeLV test should:
- be examined at least twice a year by your veterinarian
- be spayed or neutered
- be on a monthly medication to prevent spread of internal and external parasites
- be vaccinated depending on your cat's lifestyle and as your veterinarian recommends
- be monitored closely for signs of illness or disease
- be confined indoors
- be fed a nutritionally balanced diet, avoiding raw food because of the risk of bacterial and parasitic infections
It is important to note that cats testing positive for feline leukemia virus can be potential carriers and can pass the virus to other cats. A positive cat should be seperated from other cats which have a negative status.
Infected female cats which have not been spayed should not be bred because of the risk of exposing the male cat and the risk of producing FeLV positive kittens.
Prevention of Feline Leukemia Viral Disease
A vaccine against feline leukemia is available. Vaccination is advised for:
- cats that go outside
- cats that live with FeLV-positive housemates
- cats that have contact with other cats of unknown status (foster homes, group housing, etc)
Some veterinarians also advise vaccinating kittens but not all veterinarians believe this to be necessary if the kitten is to be housed indoors and is at low risk for contact with feline leukemia.
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