Optimizing welfare and longevity for FeLV-positive cats through evidence-based supportive care.
FeLV positive cat management has been transformed by the recognition that supportive care can maintain quality of life for years rather than months. The welfare obligation for FeLV-positive cats focuses on preventing the opportunistic infections that cause clinical progression while maintaining a low-stress, high-quality living environment that supports immune function. The specific welfare challenges include maintaining appropriate vaccination schedules for non-FeLV pathogens, dental disease management that reduces chronic infection burden, and monitoring for the lymphoma and anemia that are the most common serious complications. Owner education about realistic prognosis and what constitutes good quality of life for affected cats is essential for welfare-positive decision making.