Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)

Home » Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) » Treatment, Prevention

Treatment
There is no cure for FeLV. All treatments, including the following, are aimed at relieving pain and discomfort:

• Antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections
• Blood transfusions
• Chemotherapy to treat tumors
• Dietary supplements
• Immunomodulatory drugs (e.g., drugs that target the immune system), such as interferon, immunoregulin, and acemannan

Prognosis

The prognosis varies considerably. About 70% of cats that are infected with FeLV develop immunity and are able to fight the virus before developing symptoms. These cats usually live a normal life.

Some cats that develop initial immunity suffer a viremic breakout months or years later, usually after being stressed or medicated with drugs that suppress the immune system.

Thirty percent of FeLV-infected cats that don't develop immunity to the virus are persistently viremic. These cats may live months or years, depending on how far the disease has progressed when the cat is diagnosed. More than 50% of these cats die within a couple of years.

Prevention

Several vaccines can protect cats from contracting FeLV. The vaccines are generally safe, although the cat may appear sick or sluggish for a few hours, to a couple of days afterward. Some cats may have an allergic reaction (e.g., fever, diarrhea, malaise).

FeLV vaccines are not 100% effective. Vaccinated cats may develop a short-lived infection after exposure to FeLV, but rarely do they develop clinical disease.

Kittens should be vaccinated at 9 to 10 weeks of age, again 3 to 4 weeks later, and then annually.

Keep a FeLV-infected cat indoors and away from other cats. If the cat dies from FeLV, the Cornell Feline Health Center recommends a waiting period of at least 30 days before getting another cat. The house and cat supplies should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before bringing a new cat home.

An FeLV-positive cat that is not sick is probably still shedding the virus. FeLV-positive cats should not be housed with other cats. Deciding what to do with an FeLV-positive cat in a multicat household can be very difficult. There are several options, including:

• Euthanasia
• Finding a home for the FeLV-positive cat where it will be the sole cat
• Isolating the FeLV-positive cat within the home, by keeping it in a separate room and providing a separate litter tray and feeding bowl

Because FeLV can be spread through litter trays, water and food bowls, and bedding, these should be disinfected with a solution containing 4 ounces of household bleach per 1 gallon of water, or they should be replaced after isolating the FeLV-positive cat. Floors should be cleaned and disinfected with a bleach solution, and rugs should be thoroughly vacuumed.

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