Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is primarily transmitted between cats through close contact, and it’s more common than many cat owners realize. Here’s how it spreads:
🧬 Main Transmission Routes
- Saliva and Nasal Secretions: The virus is shed in saliva, so mutual grooming, sharing food or water bowls, and bite wounds are major transmission routes.
- Blood, Urine, and Feces: Though less common, FeLV can also be present in these fluids.
- Mother to Kitten: Infected mothers can pass the virus to their kittens in utero or through nursing.
🐾 Common Scenarios for Spread
- Grooming and Fighting: Cats that groom each other or get into fights are at higher risk.
- Shared Resources: Litter boxes, feeding dishes, and water bowls can be sources of transmission in multi-cat households.
- Outdoor Exposure: Cats that roam outdoors unsupervised are more likely to encounter infected cats and get bitten.
🛡️ Risk Factors
- Young Cats and Kittens: They’re more susceptible due to immature immune systems.
- Multi-Cat Households: Especially if cats are of unknown FeLV status.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor: Indoor-only cats have a significantly lower risk.
FeLV doesn’t survive long outside the body—just a few hours under normal conditions—so environmental transmission is rare.
If you’re caring for a cat or considering adopting one, testing and vaccination are key tools to prevent FeLV.
Check here, https://www.ringbio.com/solutions/pet/feline-leukemia-virus-felv-ag-rapid-test-kit