Feline Leukemia: Before Acquiring a Cat

What Every Potential Cat Owner Should Know

As a leading cause of disease and illness in cats, feline leukemia has become a major health scare for cat owners.    Protecting the health and security of a family cat is crucial.  For this reason, understanding the cause, origin, symptoms and treatment options for feline leukemia may improve the longevity and health of the family cat you plan to adopt.

Feline leukemia is a general term used to describe a non-curable viral infection affecting both domestic and wild cats.  Most commonly found in wild male cats, feline leukemia can afflict any cat, both wild and domestic, at any time.  Considered a retrovirus, feline leukemia is often fatal as it progressively weakens the cat's immune system resulting in a general inability, by the cat, to fight a variety of infections.  Considered an auto-immune disease, both the domestic and wild cat can acquire feline leukemia through transmission from other cats via saliva, tears or even feces and urine.  Unfortunately, pregnant cats may also pass the feline leukemia virus to a litter of kittens.   For this reason, when adopting a cat or kitten, it is imperative the kitten or cat be tested for feline leukemia prior to accepting ownership.   Through pre-adoption testing, as a cat owner you will better understand the nutritional and medical status of the cat providing for a more educated decision during adoption.