Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV can be transmitted from infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved.
Feline leukemia is a disease caused by feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which suppresses a cat's immune system. This virus directly targets a cats white blood cells, resulting in a decrease of defenses.
a. FVR Symptoms in Cats. Symptoms of FHV infection or feline viral rhinotracheitis include fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, salivation, sneezing, nasal discharge, ocular discharge, and conjunctivitis. In young kittens, an FHV infection can lead to death from pneumonia in kittens.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most common and important infectious diseases in cats, affecting between 2-3% of all cats in the United States and Canada. Infection rates are significantly higher (up to 30%) in cats that are ill or otherwise at high risk (see below).
Nevertheless, naturally infected cats usually carry FeLV-A either alone or in combination with FeLV-B, FeLV-C, or both. In consequence, if immunity against FeLV subgroup A is present, the cat is protected against any FeLV infection.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are two feline viruses that can cause a comprised immune system in a cat.
