Feline leukaemia virus causes progressive immune suppression in infected cats, with welfare management centred on prevention through vaccination and reducing transmission risks.
Feline leukaemia virus welfare management illustrates how chronic viral infection requires long-term welfare monitoring and proactive disease management. FeLV infection does not immediately cause observable welfare compromise - many cats remain in a latency phase for months to years, appearing healthy while carrying the virus. The welfare deterioration occurs progressively as the virus compromises immune function: infections that healthy cats would fight off cause prolonged illness in FeLV-positive cats, secondary infections accumulate, and eventually lymphoma or severe anaemia develop. The welfare management challenge is identifying infected cats through testing, managing their environment to reduce further infectious challenge, and monitoring for early signs of disease progression that can be managed to maintain quality of life. Prevention through vaccination of at-risk cats - those with outdoor access or in multi-cat households - is the most effective welfare intervention, eliminating the risk of infection entirely. Cats diagnosed FeLV-positive benefit from indoor-only management that reduces exposure to secondary infections and prevents transmission to other cats, with regular veterinary monitoring enabling early intervention when disease progression occurs.