Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Feline Leukemia Virus Welfare

Feline leukemia virus causes immunosuppression and cancer in infected cats, with vaccination and testing providing effective welfare protection for cat populations.

Key Facts

FeLV is transmitted through close contact including grooming, biting, and shared food bowls
Infected cats have severely compromised immune systems making them susceptible to other diseases
Vaccination is highly effective at preventing FeLV infection in at-risk cats
Testing before adding new cats to a household prevents disease spread
Antiviral treatments provide supportive care but not curative treatment for infected cats

Welfare Considerations

FeLV causes progressive immune failure and cancer causing significant suffering and shortened lifespan. Vaccination of at-risk cats prevents this devastating disease, making testing and vaccination fundamental welfare interventions for multi-cat households and outdoor cats.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate at-risk cats against FeLV before potential exposure
Test all new cats for FeLV before introducing them to existing cat households
Isolate FeLV-positive cats from FeLV-negative cats to prevent disease spread