Feline Leukaemia Virus Welfare and Management

FeLV is a serious retroviral infection causing immunosuppression, anaemia, and cancer in cats. Prevention through vaccination and testing is far more effective than treatment.

Key Facts

FeLV affects around 1% of UK cats, higher in multi-cat and outdoor households
It is transmitted through prolonged close contact including grooming and shared feeding
Cats persistently infected become progressively immunocompromised over months to years
FeLV-positive cats are susceptible to secondary infections, lymphoma, and anaemia
Vaccination is highly effective and recommended for all cats with outdoor access or multi-cat exposure

Welfare Considerations

FeLV causes progressive immunocompromise with associated suffering from secondary infections, severe anaemia requiring transfusion, and lymphoma. Affected cats can live comfortable lives for years with appropriate management and treatment of secondary infections, but ultimately develop terminal disease. Prevention through vaccination eliminates this welfare risk. Testing multi-cat households allows identification and isolation of positive cats to prevent transmission. FeLV-positive cats benefit from indoor-only lifestyles reducing exposure to infectious diseases they cannot fight effectively.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate all cats with outdoor access or multi-cat household exposure against FeLV
Test any new cat added to a multi-cat household before introduction
Keep FeLV-positive cats indoors and away from FeLV-negative cats
Provide palliative and supportive care optimising quality of life in FeLV-positive cats