Harcourt Health Sciences homepage
Harcourt Health Sciences - WB Saunders | Mosby | Churchill Livingstone
Veterinary Medicine
Instructions for Veterinary Clients

Feline Leukemia Virus Infection
Care of the Infected Cat
From Erlewein & Kuhns: Canine and Feline Medical and Surgical Problems

General Information

The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and its associated diseases is the foremost infectious cause of illness and death in cats. About 80% of persistently infected cats die within 3 years of becoming infected. Although some infected cats may live a normal lifespan, nearly all are plagued with recurring illness.

Currently, there are no drugs available that uniformly destroy the virus in infected cats; therefore, treatment is directed at relieving clinical signs, promoting a sense of well-being, and preventing spread of the virus to other cats.

Although various methods to rid the FeLV-infected cat of virus have been tried, none has been highly successful. Approaches to therapy have included anti-viral drugs, interferon, biological response modifiers, antibody therapy, and even bone marrow transplants. Your doctor will discuss the types of treatment available for your cat and the expected results.

Important Points in Treatment

  1. Medication: Give all medication as directed. Call the doctor if you are unable to administer the medication as directed.
  2. Blood tests: Periodic monitoring of your pet is necessary to assess your pet's health status and evaluate the response to treatment.
  3. Diet: Good nutrition is essential to successful management of FeLV-infected cats. Feed your pet as follows:



  4. Activity: Keep your pet indoors and away from other cats. Other cats in the household should be tested for FeLV and vaccinated if negative. Any cats that fight should be separated, as bite wounds are the primary source of infection. While isolation of the infected cat is ideal, often this is not practical. In these cases, vaccination of other cats in the household is the best alternative.
  5. Special instructions:

Notify the Doctor if Any of the Following Occur

  • Your pet refuses to eat, vomits, or has diarrhea.
  • Your pet has difficulty breathing, coughs, or develops a nasal discharge.
  • Your pet has a fever, a foul mouth odor, or pale gums.
  • Your pet loses weight, staggers, or stumbles while walking.
  • Your pet's general health deteriorates.

Your next appointment is:


~ Return to Instructions Table of Contents ~
~ Veterinary Community Home ~


Copyright © 2000, Harcourt Health Sciences,
A Harcourt Company. All rights reserved.