Feline leukemia virus is a significant cause of feline illness and death. Understanding transmission, vaccination, and management protects individual and population welfare.
FeLV infection causes progressive disease that ultimately proves fatal in most regressive cases, causing suffering through immune suppression, secondary infections, and hematological disorders. Prevention through vaccination is highly effective and represents excellent welfare medicine. FeLV-positive cats can live quality lives and do not require immediate euthanasia, but require regular monitoring, prompt treatment of secondary infections, and protection from stresses that compromise their immune system. Shelter populations of FeLV-positive cats require compassionate management that allows comfortable living while preventing transmission. Owner education about realistic prognosis and quality of life monitoring enables informed decision-making.