Important Facts About Feline Leukemia and FIV

Facts Every Cat Owner Should Know About Feline Leukemia and FIV

Never place a newly acquired cat or kitten into your home without first having it blood tested for feline leukemia and feline immunosuppressive virus (FIV).

The diseases are caused by a virus and there is no cure for Leukemia or FIV.

They are only contagious between cats. People and dogs are not at risk.

FIV is commonly transmitted by blood contact such as fighting and mating. Cats that go outdoors, are intact, have oral disease, or have abscess wounds are at greater risk of infection. 

Feline Leukemia is very contagious, it can be transmitted by hissing, grooming, and sharing water bowls. Kittens do not usually live more than 1 year when contracted at an early age.

All cats should be vaccinated for Leukemia to keep them healthy. Indoor cats  that are not vaccinated for this disease have no protection if they were to escape or if a new cat enters the environment. There is currently no effective vaccine for FIV.

Felines with these infectious diseases can have little to no symptoms. Testing is the only way to know for sure if a cat is infected.

All cats should be tested for Leukemia and FIV. Countryside's in-house blood test will indicate a cat is infected in 10 minutes.

Any newly acquired kittens or cats from an outside environment, shelter, or adoption center should be isolated from other cats until testing for both viruses is complete.

Due to the many variables associated with these diseases, a consultation with one of our veterinarians is highly recommended.