Discover the facts about this contagious disease and how to keep your cat healthy. <\/p>
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)\u00a0is a serious virus which\u00a0attacks the immune system in cats and can be fatal<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p> While the outlook for infected cats\u00a0is generally\u00a0poor, FeLV can be prevented by keeping cats up to date with their vaccinations<\/a>, as explained by Sarah Elliott, Central Veterinary Officer at Cats Protection<\/a>.<\/p> FeLV\u00a0is a virus\u00a0which only affects cats, so\u00a0it\u00a0can\u2019t be passed to humans.\u00a0It can be passed from an infected mother to her kittens<\/a>, both through her milk and while they are in the womb.\u00a0It\u00a0can also be\u00a0transmitted through saliva \u2013 most often\u00a0when cats\u00a0share\u00a0food and water bowls, lick each other while grooming\u00a0or during mating.<\/p> FeLV attacks the immune system which in turn leaves cats vulnerable to other infections, anaemia and tumours.\u00a0<\/p> The virus can cause\u00a0many symptoms, including sore gums, digestive problems, a high temperature, enlarged lymph nodes\u00a0–\u00a0which may also be cancerous\u00a0–\u00a0and the development of other cancers.\u00a0<\/p> Once infected, it is possible for some cats to clear the FeLV infection and recover after a few weeks, giving them\u00a0some immunity\u00a0in future. However, this is not always the case and\u00a0many cats \u2013 particularly younger or weaker cats\u00a0\u2013\u00a0will be permanently infected.\u00a0<\/p> For cats which can\u2019t clear the infection, there is no\u00a0cure\u00a0for FeLV but\u00a0a vet may be able to help manage symptoms\u00a0to keep your cat comfortable for as long as possible.\u00a0<\/p> Because\u00a0FeLV has a long incubation period, it may be months or possibly years before symptoms appear in those cats which have been permanently infected. However, once signs begin to show,\u00a0FeLV can progress\u00a0quickly\u00a0and 80 percent of cats\u00a0die within three-and-a-half years of being diagnosed.\u00a0<\/p> If you suspect your cat may have FeLV, speak to your vet\u00a0who may recommend a blood test to see if the virus is in the blood.\u00a0<\/p> Fortunately, there is a vaccine for FeLV\u00a0which helps prevent the virus\u00a0and\u00a0is\u00a0given as part of a kitten\u2019s initial vaccinations around\u00a0eight weeks old. <\/p> A booster vaccination should also be given annually to maintain immunity.\u00a0Unfortunately, the vaccine will not work on cats which have already been infected, so\u00a0it\u2019s important to\u00a0book kittens in for vaccinations as soon as\u00a0they\u2019re old enough. <\/p> However, if your cat has never been vaccinated, it\u2019s not too late –\u00a0adult cats can be given their first vaccine at any age.\u00a0Although it\u2019s\u00a0very\u00a0effective,\u00a0the vaccine cannot guarantee protection,\u00a0so\u00a0un-infected cats should not be allowed contact with cats which are FeLV-positive.<\/p> If your cat has FeLV it\u2019s important to avoid the spread of the virus by making sure they do not\u00a0mix\u00a0with FeLV-negative cats. <\/p> This normally means they need to be kept indoors, or in an escape-proof garden that cannot be accessed by other cats. \u00a0<\/p> Cats with FeLV should keep up their annual vaccination boosters, as this will help protect them against other infections.\u00a0Although the outlook for cats with FeLV is poor, your vet may be able to manage symptoms of secondary infections with antibiotics and other drugs.\u00a0<\/p> Sadly,\u00a0many affected cats have to be euthanised because they have a poor quality of life. Your vet will be best placed to talk you through\u00a0what is best for your pet.\u00a0<\/p> Knowing when to let go of a much-loved pet is difficult, and there are services like Cats Protection\u2019s Paws to Listen<\/a> grief support\u00a0that can help.<\/p> Love cats? Check out our\u00a0pets<\/a>\u00a0section for advice on cat care from\u00a0How to take your cat to the vet without stress<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0how to stop them scratching furniture<\/a><\/strong><\/p>What is FeLV\u00a0and how\u00a0is it spread?<\/h2>
What are the symptoms of FeLV?<\/h2>
Is there a cure for FeLV?<\/h2>
What is the prognosis for cats with FeLV?<\/h2>
Should I have my cat tested for FeLV?<\/h2>
FeLV vaccine<\/h2>
My cat has FeLV \u2013 what should I do?\u00a0<\/h2>
Do I need to keep my FeLV cat inside?<\/h2>