Is Cat Leukemia Contagious? Vet Explains

As a cat owner, you want to keep your feline friend happy and healthy. But when an illness arises, it can be scary trying to understand it fully.

One such condition is feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which affects 2-3% of cats in the US. Given its name, you may wonder - is cat leukemia contagious?

The short answer is yes. FeLV is highly contagious among cats. However, humans, dogs, and other pets cannot get infected. 😌

In this guide, we’ll explore FeLV in depth: how it spreads, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge to protect your cat’s wellbeing. Let’s start by understanding what feline leukemia virus is.

What Is Feline Leukemia Virus?

FeLV is a retrovirus, meaning it inserts itself into a cat’s DNA. It compromises the immune system, leaving cats vulnerable to secondary infections, blood disorders, and cancers.

Specifically, FeLV destroys white blood cells called lymphocytes that normally help fight infection. With a weakened immune system, a cat is prone to illnesses that would be harmless in a healthy cat.

FeLV can also cause cancer, especially lymphoma. In fact, it’s the most common cause of cancer in cats. Other potential cancers include leukemia and fibrosarcoma.

So in summary:

• FeLV suppresses the immune system

• It increases susceptibility to secondary infections

• It can lead to cancer

• It’s one of the most serious cat diseases, killing 85% of infected cats within 3 years

Now that you understand what FeLV is, let’s look at how contagious it is among cats.

Is Cat Leukemia Contagious?

Yes, feline leukemia is highly contagious between cats. It spreads through:

• Saliva - Especially through bite wounds, mutual grooming, sharing food/water bowls

• Nasal secretions - Via close face-to-face contact

• Urine and feces - From shared litter boxes

• Milk - Infected mother cats can pass FeLV to nursing kittens

Casual contact is enough to spread FeLV. Even cats that seem perfectly healthy can be contagious.

Kittens and young cats are most vulnerable since their immune systems are still developing. But cats of any age can get infected if sufficiently exposed.

Not contagious to humans or dogs

The good news is FeLV poses no risk to humans or other pets like dogs. It’s exclusively contagious between cats. 😊

So you don’t need to quarantine your infected cat from people or non-feline animals. Feel free to cuddle and play as normal.

However, an FeLV+ cat should be isolated from other household cats to avoid spreading the virus. Let’s look at symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment next.

Feline Leukemia Symptoms

In the initial stages after infection, a cat may show no symptoms at all. But over time, as the virus attacks the immune system, signs can appear.

Common FeLV symptoms include:

• Lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss
• Poor coat condition
• Pale gums and mucous membranes
• Fever
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Chronic diarrhea
• Recurring infections (respiratory, skin, bladder, etc.)
• Eye inflammation or sores in the mouth
• Abnormal gait, seizures, behavioral changes (neurologic issues)
• Reproductive issues like infertility or stillborn kittens

Since FeLV destroys white blood cells, infected cats struggle to fight off infections. This allows normally harmless agents to cause illness.

If you notice any combination of the symptoms above, get your cat checked for FeLV right away. The earlier it’s caught, the better the outcome.

Diagnosing Feline Leukemia Virus

Veterinarians diagnose FeLV through a simple blood test called an ELISA. It detects special proteins called antigens that are part of the FeLV virus.

False positives are possible with ELISA tests, so your vet may recommend a follow-up IFA (indirect immunofluorescence assay) test. This looks for FeLV antigens inside white blood cells, signaling a progressed infection.

Other confirmation tests like PCR and virus isolation can also be used. These directly detect the virus’s genetic material rather than just antigens/antibodies.

Ideally, testing should occur:

• For new cats before introduction to a household

• Annually for cats with outdoor access

• Whenever symptoms arise suggesting FeLV

• 30+ days after potential exposure, to avoid false negatives

Catching FeLV early through testing gives you the best chance to manage it effectively.

Treating Feline Leukemia Virus

Unfortunately, there is no cure for feline leukemia virus once a cat tests positive. The infection is lifelong.

However, excellent symptomatic treatment is available. This involves managing FeLV’s secondary effects rather than the underlying virus.

For example:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections

• Blood transfusions for severe anemia

• Chemotherapy for lymphoma

• Immune-boosting medications like interferon

Treatment focuses on minimizing symptoms, slowing disease progression, and preserving quality of life.

While the long-term prognosis for FeLV is poor, supportive care helps cats stay happy and comfortable for months or years.

Preventing Feline Leukemia Virus

Since there’s no cure for FeLV, prevention is crucial. Here are some top ways to protect your cat:

1. FeLV Vaccination

Getting your cat vaccinated is vital, especially for outdoor cats or multi-cat households.

Kittens can receive their first FeLV vaccine as young as 8 weeks, then a booster 3-4 weeks later. Annual revaccination is recommended thereafter based on risk of exposure.

While not 100% protective, the FeLV vaccine greatly reduces the chances of a progressed, symptomatic infection. Always vaccinate kittens and at-risk cats. 💉

2. FeLV Testing

Test new cats prior to introduction to your home, and then annually for cats with outdoor access. This allows early detection and treatment.

Isolate any new, untested cat from your other cats during the initial quarantine period.

3. Limit Exposure

Keep cats indoors and away from potentially infected cats. This includes cats with unknown vaccination history.

Supervise outdoor time using a leash or enclosed “catio” to prevent wandering and fighting.

Avoid shared litter boxes, food/water bowls between infected and non-infected cats.

Together, these preventive steps offer the best protection against this serious but manageable disease. 😸

Conclusion

In summary, feline leukemia virus is highly contagious between cats. It spreads through saliva, urine, feces, milk, and other secretions during close contact. Kittens and cats with outdoor access are especially vulnerable.

While FeLV can’t be cured, it can be managed through symptomatic treatment and excellent preventive care. Get your cat vaccinated, test annually, and limit exposure to infected cats. With vigilance, you can help your cat live a long and joyful life!