Hi Simba,
I recently found an adorable kitten & am already in love with it. Yesterday I took it in for it's first vet visit. The vet said it tested positive for feline leukemia, however we would test again in three weeks to be sure. I am not going to have the kitten put down no matter what the test shows. She is a very lively and happy kitten.

How long is it before you see symptoms? When should you put a cat down with this disease? Could the cat have many years of good health? I am distressed over this news. I want to know what I should do in caring for a cat with this disease. Donna G

Dear Donna G,
How wonderful you have taken this little gal into your home. She is lucky to have a caring person as you to watch our for her. Here is a little background on Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

As you know, FeLV is a common cause of illness and death among cats as it can cause severe immune system suppression, anemia, and the development of tumors. Some 1-2% of cats are infected with FeLV, although this figure is significantly higher in more urban and densely populated areas.

How do Kitties get it?

One of the major modes of transmission of FeLV is viral shedding of saliva from an infected cat through mutual grooming, sharing of food bowls or from biting, or contact with an infected cat's waste products. Infected mother cats usually pass on the virus to their kittens, which results in early death or abortion.

However, not all cats exposed to FeLV become infected with the virus since some cats may not be exposed to sufficient quantities of the virus or they are able to defend themselves via an effective immune response that eliminates the virus from the body. Cats that develop protective immune responses do so generally in the first few weeks following infection. Those cats that develop a protective immune response many times exhibit a viral 'latency' where there is no virus present in the blood, although some infected cells are present in the bone marrow.

Age is also important on the outcome of exposure as this is directly correlated to the immune system's development. Kittens less than 4 to 6 months of age are at higher risk of developing persistent infections if exposed to FeLV.

What Does FeLV Do?

FeLV infection results in the death of an infected cat. Nearly 90% of persistently infected cats will die within 3 1/2 years after diagnosis. Some 50% of deaths are caused by immune system suppression in which the virus infects and replicates in many cells associated with the immune response which causes the depletion or impairment of these cells. This leaves kitty with a weak immune system with which to fight other diseases that he/she would normally overcome. Signs to watch for include fevers, lethargy, and loss of appetite, weight loss, chronic respiratory disease, intestinal problems and skin diseases
Anemia is the second most common cause of death in FeLV kitties, affecting 25% of infected cats. What happens is that the red blood cell in the bone marrow or in the blood stream become infected by FeLV which causes depletion and anemia.
Tumors affect some 15% of infected cats. The most common tumors are lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. The remaining 10% of kitties infected with FeLV die from neurological disease, uveitis, severe weight loss, severe enteritis, and a panleukopenia-like syndrome.

How do you Test for it?

Diagnosis of FeLV infection is straightforward, as the virus is present in the blood and within infected cells in the blood, bone marrow and elsewhere in the body. Because of the risk of misdiagnosis, it is usually best to do more than one test.

Is there a Vaccine?

Yes, but it can be dangerous as it has been known to cause tumors. The vaccine is recommended for high-risk cats only, as in those coming from infected homes or those that roam outside.

As for your little gal, the onset of symptoms will depend on the strength of her immune system. Obviously, if she is infected you do not want to expose her to other cats. Your best bet is to continue being the loving and supportive parent you are and to treasure your moments with your new friend. I wish you well. Simba

Dear Simba,
My family and I just got a 6-week-old kitten last night. We took it to the vet today to get it checked out and they ran a blood test. From the blood test we found that the kitten may have leukemia, we will not know for sure until Monday. My question is what do we do next if the kitten has this problem. We are totally new to the cat world and are trying to learn as we go. From people I have talked to this test is somewhat unreliable. I have been told that if the kitten has leukemia it still will live a long life. If this is true what do we need to do to keep as health as possible? I have a 4 and 2 year old that are getting attached quick and the less pain for everyone the better, that's including the kitty too. Kevin W

Dear Kevin W,
I certainly hope that as I write this your little kitten is free and clear of Feline Leukemia. If he is not, do not give up just yet. Although he is against the odds, your little friend may make it after all. Given your young children and your wish to avoid causing them undue pain, you may want to give the kitten to a foster care home where the little guy can be cared for. There are many loving folks out there that will open their hearts to needy kittens, if only for a short time. Keep me posted. Simba

Dear Simba,
I read the letters on FLV and wanted to add something. I'm glad you urged your readers to wait and see if their cats are okay. My cat Sheba caught FLV at an early age. Sheba was a year old when we found her. She's now close to her 9th birthday. Over the years, we've had only minor problems with FLV - Sheba had one mouth wound that required surgery to heal, and 2 decaying back teeth required removal. That's it! We've been very lucky, and I'm so glad that I listened to my heart and didn't put Sheba to sleep when we learned she was FLV+. I want to encourage fellow cat lovers to give FLV+ cats a chance! Do not put your cats 'to sleep' unless s/he is in severe pain or discomfort. Thanks for letting me share Sheba's story! Michelle in Houston


Thanks for the note. I'm glad you and Sheba are doing well! Simba