Management of a feral cat colony (3) – FeLV

Feline Leukaemia Virus is a serious disease in cats and estimates state that 80-90% of infected cats die within 3-4 years of FeLV diagnosis.

FeLV causes tumours to develop in infected cats. FeLV also affects the immune system and causes anaemia which can be the major cause of death; probably more so than tumours.

Cats suffering with FeLv typically show poor condition, skin issues or bite wounds and weight loss

Signs of FeLV

There are many signs of FeLV infection – fever, weight loss, poor appetite, and recurrent breathing, skin and intestinal issues being some. Symptoms can present very similarly to other viral infections in cats, such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

How is FeLV Transmitted?

Mutual grooming may transfer the virus to other colony cats

The virus is shed in the cat’s saliva, faeces, urine and the milk of nursing queens. It is a fragile virus and does not last in the environment for very long, however FeLV is a big issue in feral cat colonies as it is so easily spread through a close group of cats, through sharing food sources and mutual grooming (where the virus enters the body through ingestion). It can be transmitted through biting, so via entire toms fighting, and mating queens. FeLV positive pregnant queens will transmit the virus to unborn kittens and any kittens that survive to birth will also be infected (often though, many kittens are aborted before birth).

The diagnosis of FeLV

As with FIV, there are diagnostic test kits available through vets, where a blood sample is taken, and a “SNAP test” done. And, as with FIV, a further laboratory blood test should always follow a positive result, to check for false positive results.

Prognosis

Sadly, for a cat with FeLV there is no cure and the cat can only be given treatment to alleviate symptoms. With feral cats, this is not possible and the only humane option is to put the infected cat to sleep. Any infected tame strays should be rehomed separately, to an indoor home to prevent the potential infection of other neighbourhood pets.

Vaccination

There has been a very successful vaccination available for FeLV for many years. This provides a good level of protection for pet cats against contracting the virus from feral or stray cats that may be carriers. CAT77 has a strong policy on vaccinating the cats that we rehome, and strongly encourages owners to regularly booster their cats to maintain protection against FeLV and other main diseases, such as Feline Herpes Virus, Feline Calicivirus and Feline Infectious Enteritis.

© Cat Action Trust 1977