Feline
Leukaemia Virus
The
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) is called such because it was first
discovered from a cluster of cats which were suffering from cancers
of the white blood cells. However, the most common symptom of
FeLV is the suppression of the immune system and in this way it
is very similar to FIV. FeLV can also cause tumours anaemia and
of course, leukaemia.
The
virus is transmitted via saliva and urine and the most common
cause of transmission is via mutual grooming. Therefore, cats
sharing the same household as an FeLV positive cat are at great
risk.
Unlike
FIV, FeLV is easily transmitted from mother to foetus and kittens
will most often be born infected and survive no more than eighteen
months. Once infected with FeLV, most cats will not survive more
than 3 years.
