FeLV+ CATS
Adorable little superheroes with delicate force fields
FeLV+ cats are like little love bugs with VIP immune systems; they just need extra care and snuggles! Think of them as adorable superheroes with a delicate force field—strong in spirit but needing a bit more protection from germs. With the proper care, they can live happy, playful lives and bring just as much joy as any other cat! Adopting an FeLV+ cat is a compassionate choice, giving a loving home to a cat who might otherwise face barriers to adoption, and many adopters find it a deeply rewarding experience.
The FeLV+ cats will have a video icon next to their names.
FAQ's
FeLV+ results can often be a barrier to adoption for some cats. And we feel really strongly at SPCA Wake that these cats deserve loving homes. And just like every other cat, they just need regular veterinary care. They are loving cats, and deserve to live in a compassionate home.
What does FeLV stand for in cats?
FeLV stands for feline leukemia virus
What is feline leukemia virus?
In summary, the feline leukemia virus is a virus that can affect a cat’s immune system, making them more vulnerable to infections and other illnesses over time.
Should I adopt a FeLV cat?
Absolutely! FeLV-positive cats can live happy, fulfilling lives. They thrive in a stress-free, indoor environment with proper care and regular veterinary check-ups. Adopting an FeLV-positive cat is a compassionate choice, giving a loving home to a cat who might otherwise face barriers to adoption, and many adopters find it a deeply rewarding experience.
Is it dangerous to humans or other pets?
FeLV cannot spread to people, dogs, or other non-feline animals, so it’s safe to have them in a household with these pets. However, it is possible for this virus to spread to other cats. Because of this, it's not recommended to house non-FeLV cats together with FeLV+ cats due to the risk of transmission.
FeLV+ cats thrive best either in a single cat household or when living with other FeLV+ cats.
If I adopt a cat with FeLV, what do I need to do to keep them healthy?
If you’re considering adopting an FeLV+ cat, it’s important to know:
- They should be kept indoors to protect them from exposure to other infections and to prevent spreading the virus to other cats.
- They should be housed separately from FeLV-negative cats, ideally in a quiet, stress-free space, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
- We recommend relying on your vet’s recommendations, on an individual basis, because the virus comes in different forms.
How long can a cat live with FeLV?
While FeLV is not curable, many FeLV-positive cats live happy, playful, and fulfilling lives, particularly in a supportive, low-stress environment. Life expectancy varies; some cats live only a few years after diagnosis, while others, with proper care, can live relatively normal lifespans.
Regular veterinary care, including wellness checkups and prompt treatment of any illnesses, can help FeLV-positive cats maintain their quality of life.
A DEEPER DIVE INTO FeLV+ CATS
When a kitten (less than six-months of age) tests positive on a screening test, it means one of two things:
- Either the test is a true positive where the virus is detected -OR-
- It's a false positive. False positives can happen, especially in young kittens when the test is used for screening purposes. Further testing (60 days after the first test) may be needed to determine if the kitten truly has FeLV or if the first test was incorrect.
FeLV guidance is best provided on an individual basis at a veterinarian post-adoption. This is because the virus is a complex disease, and presents in three main forms:
- If a cat tests possible, and is retested (60 days later) and it comes back negative, this is the best case scenario – it is possible for a cat to clear the infection completely on their own.
- The second form is a regressive infection, where the FeLV+ cat never really clears the virus, but it might “hide out” in their bone marrow and only come out in times of stress. These cats typically live long happy, healthy lives.
- The third form is progressive disease. This is the form where the cats live a few years after diagnosis. But until then, they can live fulfilling, happy lives.
When you work one-on-one with your veterinarian, they might recommend retesting several different times to try to get a good picture of the cat’s true FeLV status. Unfortunately, it's not as clear cut as a single test.
When adopting a cat or kitten that possibly has FeLV, it's important to take precautions to protect both the kitten and other cats in the home. The kitten or cat should be housed separately from other FeLV-negative cats, ideally in a quiet, stress-free space, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in case they are truly FeLV+.
It is very important for all FeLV+ cats to be kept indoors and ideally in a home without other cats or only with other FeLV+ cats to avoid spreading the virus.
Overall, adopting an FeLV+ cat is a compassionate choice, giving a loving home to a cat who might otherwise face barriers to adoption, and many adopters find it a deeply rewarding experience.