Feline leukemia virus, or FeLV, is a contagious, potentially fatal viral disease in cats. Feline leukemia virus is passed from cat to cat through contact with body fluids and symptoms of FeLV can vary.
The Feline Leukemia Virus Test
Testing for feline leukemia virus is recommended under a number of different circumstances. The following testing guidelines for the feline leukemia virus have been endorsed by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).
- All kittens or cats entering a new household should be tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) to prevent exposure to other cats within the household.
- All newly adopted kittens should be tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) regardless of whether the kitten will be in a single-pet household or a multi-pet household.
- All cats whose feline leukemia virus (FeLV) status is not known should be tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
- Cats which have experienced a recent exposure or possible exposure to the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) should be tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) regardless of their past feline leukemia virus test status.
- Any cat who is ill should be tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) regardless of their past feline leukemia virus test status because feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has been associated with many disease symptoms.
- Any cat scheduled to receive a vaccine for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) should have a feline leukemia virus test completed prior to the vaccine.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Vaccine Administration
Cats which are at risk for exposure with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) should receive a vaccine against feline leukemia virus. Cats at risk for exposure to FeLV include those cats which spend part or all of their lives outdoors.
Cats which live inside and do not contact other cats are not at high risk for exposure to feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and thus are not generally recommended as candidates to receive a vaccine against feline leukemia virus.
The AAFP does recommend that all kittens receive a vaccine against feline leukemia virus due to the fact that young kittens are more susceptible to feline leukemia than more mature cats and kitten owners often do not know for certain whether they will be allowing their new kitten access to the outdoors or not.
The AAFP further recommends that all cats which are to receive the vaccine for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) have a negative test for feline leukemia virus before vaccination.
- The feline leukemia virus vaccine does not provide protection against feline leukemia virus for those cats which are asymptomatically infected.
- Even if vaccinated, these cats still remain an exposure risk for other cats.
- When/if these cats become ill, vaccination failure may be suspected if the feline leukemia virus status of the cat was not previously known.
In kittens, feline leukemia virus vaccine administration is recommended starting at 8-12 weeks of age with a booster feline leukemia virus vaccine given 3-4 weeks later. Adult cats receiving an initial vaccine against feline leukemia virus should have a booster given 3-4 weeks later as well. For cats at risk, annual vaccination against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is recommended following the initial two booster series of feline leukemia vaccines.
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