Feline leukemia is a common viral disease in cats. All cats should be tested for the feline leukemia virus. Cats infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are those that test positive for FeLV and these cats need special consideration in their care in order to keep them healthy.
What does a Positive Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Test Mean?
A positive feline leukemia virus, or FeLV, test in a cat means that the cat has been exposed to the disease. A cat testing positive for the feline leukemia virus can potentially pass the feline leukemia virus to other cats. However, a positive feline leukemia test does not necessarily mean that the cat is sick. In fact, many cats which appear to be perfectly healthy test positive for feline leukemia virus.
Does a Cat Which is Positive for Feline Leukemia Virus have to be Euthanized?
At one point in time, the normal recommendation for a cat testing positive for the feline leukemia virus was to euthanize the cat. This is no longer the case. With current advances in knowledge, we now know that cats which are infected with the feline leukemia virus can live for long periods of time, sometimes years, without being ill.
What Special Considerations Need to be Taken for Cats Infected with Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)?
Cats which test positive for the feline leukemia virus are considered to be contagious because they can potentially pass the feline leukemia infection on to other cats. Therefore, cats which test positive for the feline leukemia virus should be housed alone or only with other feline leukemia positive cats.
Cats which test positive for feline leukemia virus also should be spayed or neutered and should never be bred as they could pass the infection along to their kittens as well as to their mate.
What Else can be Done to Keep a Feline Leukemia Virus Positive Cat Healthy?
There are several other steps which cat owners can take to help make certain that their feline leukemia virus positive cat stays healthy.
- Regular veterinary examinations, along with complete blood testing, are recommended at least every 6-12 months. Examinations and blood testing can sometimes detect health issues earlier in the course of disease and early intervention may lead to a more successful treatment outcome.
- Cats with feline leukemia virus infections usually have compromised immune systems, making them more susceptible to infection. Feline leukemia virus positive cats should be housed separate from other cats and should be kept current on vaccinations.
- Cats testing positive for feline leukemia virus should be housed indoors. These cats should never be allowed to roam outside of the house.
- Cats with feline leukemia virus infections should visit the veterinarian for an examination at any sign of illness or disease.
Treatment for Feline Leukemia Virus Positive Cats
Numerous medications have been used to treat cats which test positive for feline leukemia virus. These medications include various immunomodulators as well as anti-viral medications. However, to date, no controlled studies have been performed to evaluate the efficacy of these medications. There is ongoing research in this area, but treatment protocols remain speculative at this time.
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