How long can a kitten with FeLV live?
Although a diagnosis of FeLV can be emotionally devastating, it is important to realize that cats with FeLV can live normal lives for prolonged periods of time. The median survival time for cats after FeLV is diagnosed is 2.5 years.
At what age can kittens be tested for feline leukemia?
Kittens should only be tested if they are above 8 months of age.
How long does the FeLV vaccine last?
The duration of immunity—or the length of time that the vaccine protects your cat—is proven at 1 year in most vaccines. Studies have shown that several vaccines can provide 2 years of protection, but not all cats will experience full protection at 2 years.
Why is FeLV called leukemia?
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a retrovirus, so named because of the way it behaves within infected cells.
Can a cat be falsely positive for FeLV?
No! As previously stated, 40% of cats exposed to FeLv will successfully shed the virus from their systems. Kittens who are tested too young can test falsely positive for the virus. Tests can be wrong. In addition, Life With Cats shares: “When you have a household of both feline leukemia negative and positive cats as I do, you can do two things.
Do you euthanize cats that are positive for FeLV?
Life With Cats shares, “There are people who believe that euthanizing cats that are positive for FeLV is helping to prevent an epidemic against the whole feline population. This is incorrect.
What does FeLV stand for in medical terms?
FeLV stands for feline leukemia virus. As the name implies, it is a viral infection of cats that affects a cat’s immune system and bone marrow. How does a cat get FeLv? FeLV is passed along from cat to cat through bodily fluids and requires repeat exposure (i.e. bite wounds, mating, some cats are born with FeLv if they have a positive mother).
What should I do if my cat has FeLV?
All cats should be tested for FeLV prior to introducing them into a home, and infection-free cats should be housed separately from infected cats. Food and water bowls and litter boxes should not be shared between FeLV-infected cats and non-infected cats.
Is it possible for a cat to test negative for FeLV?
A cat in the initial stage of FeLV infection may test negative. A cat exposed to FeLV may test positive during the transient phase of the infection and then test negative if the virus is overcome. Tests are not 100 percent accurate and can yield false positive results.
Can a cat with FeLV be transmitted to a human?
FeLV is a feline-only virus that cannot be transmitted to humans. Cats who test positive for FeLV can live for many years without serious symptoms. A positive FeLV test result SHOULD NOT be a death sentence. A vaccination for FeLV exists, but it is not 100 percent effective.
Can a positive FeLV test be a death sentence?
A positive FeLV test result SHOULD NOT be a death sentence. A vaccination for FeLV exists, but it is not 100 percent effective. In rare instances, FeLV can spread through the shared use of litter boxes and/or feeding dishes. A positive FeLV test in a cat is not necessarily a diagnosis.
How long does it take to get a positive ELISA test for FeLV?
If the initial ELISA test is negative but you believe the cat was exposed to FeLV, you can have the test redone after 30 days for a more accurate result. If the initial ELISA test is positive, a more in-depth test is required to confirm the diagnosis.
