Home  Cats Feline Leukaemia virus (FeLV)
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Feline Leukaemia virus (FeLV) |
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
Over 70% of cats pick up this
infection at some time in their life and a third of these will develop
a related disease (often years later). Some cats will become carriers
and spread the virus throughout the cat population.
The virus causes many of the cancers seen in cats as well as
immunosuppression. This predisposes the infected cat to a very wide
spectrum of disease, particularly the infectious agents of feline
infectious anaemia, feline infectious peritonitis, viral respiratory
disease, mouth infections and abscesses. The virus also causes
infertility.
The vaccine is almost 100% effective if given to a non-infected
cat. If the cat already has the virus (and it can be passed from the
mother to her kittens) then the vaccine may not be protective. All cats
can be tested at the practice to see whether they already have FeLV.
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