PDF FeLV Fact SheetCurrent 2025
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Fact Sheet What is Feline Leukemia Virus? Feline leukemia virus, also known as "FeLV," is a contagious retrovirus that only infects cats . With progression of infection, it is known to cause a variety of diseases .
Feline leukemia is a deadly disease that affects only felines and is transmitted through their feces, urine, saliva, nasal discharge, and other bodily fluids. This disease is highly contagious and can infect both your indoor and outdoor cat . Symptoms?
PDF FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FeLV)
How Long Do Infected Cats Live: While a cat with Feline Leukemia can live a normal life for a long period of time, once we begin to see signs and symptoms of the disease , the typical life expectancy is only about 2 years. At What Age Can I Start Vaccinating My Cat Against Leukemia : We can start vaccinating kittens as early as 8 weeks of age.
Feline Leukemia Virus What Is the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)? First discovered in the 1960s, feline leukemia virus is a transmittable RNA retrovirus that can severely inhibit a cat's immune system. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of disease and death in domestic cats .
PDF DISEASE INFORMATION FACT SHEET
Feline leukemia virus This Disease Information Fact Sheet accompanies the 2013 AAFP Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel Report published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2013), Volume 15, pp 785-808.
Which cats should be tested? • All cats—at least once • All kittens • Any new cat brought into a household with other cats • Sick cats • Cats with signs of FeLV-associated disorders, such as cancer, anemia, and immune disease • Cats exposed to FeLV
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Feline leukemia virus can be transmitted among cats in close, prolonged contact with each other through saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids including nasal and eye secretions. Often, it is transmitted from a mother cat to her kittens, and kittens are less able to fight off the virus than are adult cats . It is uncommon for a one-time exposure to lead to infection; rather, repeated exposure ...
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is not transmissible to humans or any animal except other cats . FeLV weakens the cat's immune system. FeLV-positive cats typically have more difficulty fighting off disease and infections than FeLV-negative cats . According to research, 83% of FeLV-positive cats do not live beyond 4 years after diagnosis. The other 17% are considered carriers, where the disease lies ...
PDF Updates in the diagnosis and management of feline leukemia virus ...
Updates in the diagnosis and management of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) Not all feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infected cats are the same. There are different stages of infection, different outcomes, and different disease manifestations. Some infected cats will go on to live a nearly normal lifespan while others may die within months to a few years.
FACT SHEET What is feline leukaemia virus infection? Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection can cause anaemia, immunosuppression, lymphoma and/or other conditions. It affects cats worldwide. The prevalence of infection in Europe varies; it is low in the North (≤1%), but higher in Southern countries, exceeding 20% in specific areas.