Feline Leukemia (Cats) FAQ

What to do when your cat tests positive on Feline Leukemia

(dedicated to Oliver and countless other cats whose lives have been mercilessly shortened by this virus. We will all meet them again at the Rainbow Bridge.)

Written by Erin Miller [ ermiller@dgsys.com] with help from James Golczewski, PhD; Edwin Barkdoll, DVM-to-be; Cindy Tittle Moore; Jeff Parke, DVM; C.M. Newell, DVM; Barb French; Richard Kinoshita; and Ann Huber. Additional thanks to Wilf Leblanc, Dan Kozisek, Karen Kolling, Isako Honshino, Patty Winter, Harold Lemon, Jill Kronstadt, and many members of the Cat Fanciers' Internet Mailing List for their comments.

The purpose of this FAQ is to answer frequently asked questions about the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). The Feline Leukemia Virus is a virus which suppresses your cat's immune system. A cat that becomes infected with the virus becomes susceptible to many ailments or breakdowns in its system. The virus was somewhat inappropriately named because it is different than the disease Feline Leukemia. A cat that tests positive for the virus will not necessarily contract the disease Feline Leukemia. However, cats that do test positive for the virus are more likely to catch any one of a number of diseases including, but not limited to, leukemia, lymphoma or opportunistic infections. This FAQ is divided into two parts; the first consists of information every cat owner should know or should ask about the virus. The second part is information for people whose cats have tested positive for the virus.