Companion Animals

Cat FeLV Management: Positive Cat Welfare and Prevention

Feline leukaemia virus management has advanced, allowing FeLV-positive cats to live good quality lives with appropriate care.

Key Facts

FeLV causes immunosuppression and is associated with lymphoma and anaemia
FeLV-positive cats can live 2-5 years or more with appropriate supportive care
Vaccination is highly effective at preventing FeLV infection
FeLV-positive cats should be kept exclusively indoors to prevent transmission and protect their weakened immunity

Welfare Considerations

FeLV-positive cats who receive appropriate monitoring, infection prevention, and supportive care can maintain good quality of life for extended periods. Rather than immediate euthanasia, welfare assessment of individual cats guides management decisions. Prevention through vaccination is the most welfare-effective approach.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate all outdoor cats against FeLV - it is a core vaccine for cats with outdoor access
Test all cats for FeLV before introducing them to a household with other cats
Provide exclusively indoor management for FeLV-positive cats with regular health monitoring