Companion Animals

Companion Cat FeLV Prevention and Management

Prevention, diagnosis, and management of feline leukaemia virus, a serious disease with significant welfare implications.

Key Facts

FeLV is a retrovirus that suppresses immunity and causes progressive disease in infected cats
Vaccination is highly effective and recommended for cats with outdoor access
Infected cats may live for months to years with appropriate management and veterinary care
Multi-cat households with FeLV-positive cats require careful management to prevent transmission
Testing before introducing new cats is essential in households with FeLV-negative cats

Welfare Considerations

FeLV causes progressive immune compromise and ultimately fatal disease, but management of infected cats can maintain reasonable quality of life for extended periods. Prevention through vaccination and testing significantly reduces the welfare burden from this disease.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate outdoor cats against FeLV as part of routine preventive healthcare
Test new cats for FeLV before introducing them to existing cats
Provide supportive care for FeLV-positive cats to maintain quality of life for as long as possible