Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – Symptoms, Treatment & More
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a cancer-causing retrovirus belonging to the Oncovirinae subfamily. This virus weakens a cat’s immune system and makes them more susceptible to illnesses. It is a life-threatening condition for cats because it can lead to cancer and death in the majority of cases. FeLV is one of the most common infectious feline diseases, as it can be easily transmitted from one cat to another. Nonetheless, the only good part about FeLV is that it is one of the few cancers that can be prevented with vaccination. How is Feline Leukemia Virus transmitted? FeLV is spread through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk from other infected cats that are “shedding” the virus, which means the virus is reproducing in the body and being discharged into the environment. This means that cat-to-cat transmission can happen during grooming, biting, wounds, and even sharing feeding dishes and litter boxes. It can also be passed down from mother cats to their kittens whil...