Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

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Signs and Symptoms of FeLV

During the first few weeks after the initial infection, cats may have the following symptoms:

• Blood cytopenias (deficiency of any of the various cellular elements normally present in the blood)
• General malaise
• Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
• Mild fever

Symptoms depend on the type of virus and the stage of disease. Common general symptoms include:

• Anemia
• Blood in the stool
• Chronic, recurring infections (FeLV-infected cats are susceptible to bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and other viral infections.)
• Decreased appetite
• Decreased stamina
• Depression
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Excessive drinking and urination
• Infertility
• Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, mucous membranes, and body fluids)
• Low-grade fever
• Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
• Neuropathies, which can cause anisocoria and hind limb paralysis
• Weight loss

Symptoms in FeLV-infected pregnant cats include:

• Fading kittens that often develop symptoms that can lead to death within the first few weeks of life:
• Increased susceptibility to secondary bacterial and viral infections
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Stunted growth
• Thymic atrophy (wasting of the thymus gland)
• Wasting (loss of body mass)


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• Fetal resorption (biochemical disintegration of fetuses)
• Spontaneous abortion

About 30% of FeLV-infected cats develop lymphoid or myeloid tumors (e.g., lymphoma, lymphoid leukemia, erythremic myelosis); lymphoma is the most common. Symptoms of FeLV-infected cats that have cancer include the following:

• Constipation
• Cloudy eyes
• Intestinal inflammation and diarrhea
• Liver or kidney disease
• Neurological abnormalities
• Respiratory distress
• Vomiting

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