The Feline Leukemia Virus is one of the most widespread infectious diseases in cats. It can severely weaken a cat’s immune system, leading to a higher risk of infections and diseases and even causing cancer in cats. The virus can go unnoticed for some time and, unfortunately, there is no cure. However, vaccination can prevent FeLV, which is excellent news for cat lovers and owners.
Unfortunately, there are many risk factors that can expose cats to FeLV, including outdoor access, aggressive interactions with other cats, existing illnesses , and being unneutered or not spayed. “It’s critical to consult a vet if your cat exhibits any symptoms,” says Dent. “Prevention is always better than the cure, or in this case, disease management, as there is no cure for Feline Leukemia Virus. FeLV testing is recommended for cats who are sick, being adopted, exposed to risk, or when their FeLV status is unknown. It’s a simple test that veterinarians perform using a small blood sample and cat owners can receive their results in as little as 20 minutes,” says Dent.