Who Gets Feline Leukemia?
All cats are susceptible to FeLV but few develop the disease, so that only 1-2 cats in 100 have feline leukemia. Kittens less than 4 months old are susceptible to FeLV, but healthy mature cats appear to be immune. However, mature cats that have poorly functioning immune systems, are highly stressed and over-crowded, or already have a serious illness can be infected. Highly inbred cats are more susceptible than crossbred cats. Cats given transfusions of infected blood or injected with a needle used to inject a FeLV-positive cat can be infected. Transient contact with an infected cat does not spread the disease. Cats living for years in a household with an infected cat will sometimes become infected and other times they will not. Kittens are infected several ways by mothers (queens) who are FeLV-positive: • through the placenta before they are born, • through the milk, • through the mother’s saliva, and • through contact with other infected cats. About 1-2% of the general cat population
