Companion Animals

Companion Cat Feline Leukaemia Virus Welfare

FeLV infection causes progressive immune suppression in cats - prevention through vaccination and testing prevents significant welfare harm.

Key Facts

Feline leukaemia virus is transmitted through close contact including mutual grooming and shared food bowls
Approximately 2-3% of cats in the UK are FeLV positive
FeLV causes progressive immune suppression, anaemia, and tumour development
Many FeLV-positive cats remain asymptomatic for years before disease progression
Vaccination is highly effective and recommended for cats with outdoor access
Testing before introducing new cats prevents transmission to existing household cats

Welfare Considerations

FeLV causes prolonged suffering through immune suppression and secondary infections before ultimately fatal disease progression. Prevention through vaccination and responsible testing before introducing new cats eliminates this entirely preventable cause of cat suffering. FeLV-positive cats require supportive care and quality-of-life monitoring as disease progresses.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate outdoor cats against FeLV according to your vet's recommendations
Test all new cats for FeLV before introducing them to your existing cats
Separate FeLV-positive and FeLV-negative cats in multi-cat households
Provide supportive care focused on quality of life for FeLV-positive cats
Support International Cat Care research into FeLV management and welfare