Feline Leukaemia vaccination available for your cat

Many cat owners will be aware of the existence of the Feline Leukaemia virus (FeLV). It is the most frequent infectious cause of death in cats and recent studies have shown that over 20% of the feline population is infected in the U.K.

The virus is very contagious, spreading between cats direct contact (mutual grooming, bites, sexual contact etc) and by indirect contact ( food bowls, litter trays etc). In addition, infected mothers usually infect all their kittens before or after birth. Only one contact with an infected cat is necessary and a large percentage of cats who contract the virus will develop the disease. This deadly disease can take various forms, for example:- Lymphosarcoma ( a glandular cancer), Leukaemia ( a blood cancer), Anaemia, Kidney Failure, Enteritis etc.

A vaccination is now available to protect against Feline Leukaemia, which is highly effective. Initially two doses of vaccine are given three weeks apart. A single booster is essential to maintain protection. FeLV vaccination can be administered at the same time as the usual flu and enteritis vaccines.

In common with all vaccinations only healthy cats should be vaccinated. As FeLV can exist in healthy carriers, we can check that your cat is not carrying the virus by performing a blood test. Whilst this may be ideal it does increase the overall cost and the test can give a negative result if the cat is incubating the virus. Some owners have asked if blind vaccination is acceptable. The FeLV vaccine does not accelerate the disease in an infected cat, but it will not cure it. "Blind" vaccination is then acceptable as long as we can estimate that your cat is not in a high risk category.

Regular vaccination will prevent your cat from acquiring FeLV and will reduce the level of the virus in the cat population, making it a safer world for all cats.