FeLV is a serious retroviral infection in cats that suppresses immunity and increases cancer risk. Vaccination and testing are essential tools for protecting cat welfare.
FeLV causes significant welfare impacts through immune suppression that leaves cats vulnerable to infections that healthy immune systems would control, and through the direct pathological effects of the virus including anaemia, neurological disease, and lymphoma. Management of FeLV-positive cats requires a proactive approach to preventing secondary infections through prompt treatment, regular monitoring, and minimising exposure to pathogens from other animals. Outdoor access for FeLV-positive cats is generally not recommended both to protect other cats from transmission and to reduce the positive cat's exposure to infectious agents. Supportive care including good nutrition, comfortable environments, and attentive monitoring for declining health enables many FeLV-positive cats to live comfortably for years after diagnosis.