A. FeLV is primarily spread through casual contact such as mutual grooming, sharing food/water bowls and litter boxes.
A. No, FeLV only infects cats and cannot be transmitted from your pet to you or your family.
A. Infected mothers can pass the virus to their offspring, either before birth or through nursing.
A. Between 2 to 3%. Rates jump up as high as 13% or more in cats that are ill, very young, or at high risk of infection.
A. You can protect your cat from infection by preventing exposure to other cats of unknown FeLV status. Of course restricting exposure to other FeLV positive cats is also important. Also, vaccines for FeLV are available. However, they are intended to prevent infections. The vaccine will not have a beneficial health effect if your cat already has an infection.
A. Early signs of infection are often subtle and commonly seen in cats that are simply not feeling well. These signs include decreased appetite, decreased grooming and low energy.
A. Signs of advanced infection may include:
A. Testing helps negative cats stay negative and positive cats get the treatment they need.
A. Spaying and neutering your cat can help to reduce the tendency for your cat to fight and/or mate, thereby decreasing the chance of spreading the virus. Keeping your cat indoors as much as possible can prevent exposure to other cats of unknown FeLV status as well as from cats that are infected with FeLV. Isolating your uninfected cats from other cats in the household if they are infected or have an unknown FeLV status is recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
A. While there is no cure for FeLV infection, there are many steps you can take to help an infected cat lead a normal life. Keep in mind that your cat may appear healthy when there may be an underlying condition such as anemia. Your veterinarian can run tests to know what's really going on. If you have an FeLV positive cat, you should visit your vet twice a year to track your cat's progress and make sure your cat is getting the proper nutrition. Keeping your cat indoors and isolated from other cats in the household will greatly reduce the chance of a secondary illness. Spaying or neutering your cat will also reduce the tendency for your cat to fight and/or mate, thereby decreasing the ability to spread the virus.
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