So far in this blog series, we have focused solely on FIV. However, there is another virus that is often confused with FIV, and we thought it important to share a bit of information about that virus as well – the Feline Leukemia Virus, or FeLV. Though FIV and FeLV do share some common characteristics, they are actually quite different.
Sassy being playful
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SymptomsThe symptoms of FeLV are often similar to those of advanced FIV, which is why the two are sometimes confused. Symptoms may include lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, oral inflammation, chronic eye problems, and pale mucous membranes. However, one of the biggest differences between the two viruses is that an FeLV+ cat will often exhibit these symptoms regularly throughout its life, but an FIV+ cat may remain asymptomatic for its entire life.
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Progression
The FeLV virus has several stages of progression, and a cat’s body may react to the virus in many ways. A cat exposed to FeLV may fight off the virus and become totally immune, it may become a carrier of the virus that doesn’t get sick itself but may infect other cats, or it can fail at fighting off the infection and have a compromised immune system. The final stage of the virus is the development of lymphomas – cancer of the white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Interestingly enough, about 70% of cats exposed to FeLV are able to resist infection or eliminate the virus on their own. However, as described in our post The Ins & Outs of FIV, once a cat has been infected with FIV, the cat will always have it. A cat cannot fight it off and then develop an immunity, like with FeLV.
Interestingly enough, about 70% of cats exposed to FeLV are able to resist infection or eliminate the virus on their own. However, as described in our post The Ins & Outs of FIV, once a cat has been infected with FIV, the cat will always have it. A cat cannot fight it off and then develop an immunity, like with FeLV.
Transmission
The biggest difference between FIV and FeLV is how the viruses are transmitted. As we’ve mentioned in our previous posts, the primary way that FIV is transmitted is through deep bite wounds. It is not passed through shared grooming, shared food/water bowls, or shared litter boxes. An FIV+ cat can even give birth to kittens without passing the virus onto them.
FeLV, however, is a different story. FeLV can be passed through biting like FIV, but it can also be passed through shared grooming, shared food/water bowls, and shared litter boxes. The chances of the virus being passed through these friendly activities is less likely than through biting, but the risk is still there.
Confusing these two viruses is one of the reasons that some may believe that FIV+ cats cannot safely live with FIV- cats.
FeLV, however, is a different story. FeLV can be passed through biting like FIV, but it can also be passed through shared grooming, shared food/water bowls, and shared litter boxes. The chances of the virus being passed through these friendly activities is less likely than through biting, but the risk is still there.
Confusing these two viruses is one of the reasons that some may believe that FIV+ cats cannot safely live with FIV- cats.
Treatment
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Treatment of the two diseases is basically the same. There is no cure for either, but as long as an infected cat is kept indoors, given proper care and love, and is treated for any secondary illnesses, they may live a healthy life. However, 85% of cats who are persistently infected with FeLV will die within three years of diagnosis, whereas an FIV+ cat can live for several years without even showing signs of illness.
There is an FeLV vaccine, but like the FIV vaccine there are a few issues – the biggest being the risk of injection-site sarcomas. Also, the vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing infection. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of the vaccine with your vet before making a decision about whether or not to vaccinate. |
Sassy loves to cuddle!
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As you can see, there are many reasons why one might confuse FIV and FeLV. There are several distinct differences between the viruses though, and it is important to understand them. Knowing the difference between the modes of transmission is especially important when considering the adoption of an FIV+ or FeLV+ cat.
This post concludes our FIV blog series. We hope that our readers may have learned something, and maybe we have even caused someone to consider adopting an FIV+ cat. FIV is not the death sentence that so many believe it to be, and we hope that we have opened the eyes of even just one person.
If you have any questions about FIV, please do not hesitate to ask us. We are more than willing to help out in any way possible. If you would like to read more about FIV, we recommend visiting the Catwork website. It contains a wealth of information on the subject.
Also, we created this FIV awareness badge for anyone who may have an FIV+ kitty. Please take it if you would like to and display it however you see fit. Maybe if someone see that there are so many homes with FIV+ cats, they will think about making their home open to one as well.
Oh What a wunnewful posty. Fank yous so much fur writin’ ’bout thes pawful but manageable diseases. And fanks again fur doptin’ bootyful Sassy. Happy Evewyfin’ Sassy. 🙂
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Thanks for sharing! Everyone should know about these pawful diseases. xx Roxy & Tigerlino <3
Very good information. We think a lot of people get FIV and FeLV mixed up or think they’re the same thing. We’re gonna share this!
This series has been so informative. Thanks 🙂 And that picture of Sassy is adorable!! xx
This is great! We have noticed that people really do confuse FeLV and FIV (too bad they both start with F and end with V!), so this kind of information is really important. We’re going to hang onto this link as something to refer people to in the future.
Thank you for all the information! I’ve learned how the virus is passed is very big difference between FIV and FeLV and should be well understood when adopting kitties. This has been such a wonderful and inspiring series!
The photo of you and Sassy together is very sweet 🙂 Happy Monday xoxo
This series has been so informative and important for all cat parents and anyone thinking about adopting any cat. Thanks for doing it. Sending love to all. Astrid sends Sampy kisses that would cover every inch of him. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
You series has been so very informative and we appreciate the knowledge!
Thanks for this info!
This was really interesting, Emily. I can see how the two conditions can easily be mixed up! As with the FIV vaccine, we’ve chosen not to vaccinated our kitties for FeLV because they do not go outdoors nor are they ever around other cats.
I am sure that this series has taught people many things. Thank you for writing it.
What a super series with tons of information to keep people straight on these often confusing conditions……BRAVO!
Hugs, Sammy
guys…manee thanx for takin de time ta put theeze posts two gether….we did lurn sum stuff…N de badge yur mom maded iz way kewl ♥♥ !!! happee two dayz bee for pie day ☺
Thanks for taking the time to put this series together Emily! Great info…we were in the dark a bit about FeLV. It sounds as though this virus would be more of a challenge for both kitties and adopters as it seems more potentially aggressive than FIV.
the critters in the cottage xo
Thank you for the excellent and informative posts. Mom rescued an abandoned kitty in our neighborhood 2 months ago and after getting him vetted we found out he has FeL V. We are all very sad. Mom is desperately looking for a home for him.
C S Charles
OMG. I just read this and I am so frustrated. I brought in a stray cat that I wanted to bring in mibthta agobto get neutered. But he disappeared. He reappeared with a larg injury to his neck (chemical burn perhaps). Finally catch him and bring to the vet. Tested and found to have FIV. Vet says he has to be isolated from all cats and live indoors. Well I have 3 cats and that isn’t possible so he says the other option was to take him out of the population so we had him euthanized. I hated it. My neighbor let another neighbor know because her cat was unneutered and had been in a few encounters with the stray. So she brings him in yesterday. Was told if he had it he HAD to be euthanized. He had lost weight (but this family was not taking care of him well) and he was always hunting for food just like the stray. They found deep bite marks under his collar so they forced her to euthanize him. I talked to my vet’s office. They indicated that contract it by sharing bowls so they have to be isolated or euthanized !!! I am not reading this from your article.
Oh my gosh, Mary… I’m so sorry to hear that your neighbor was forced to euthanize her cat because he tested positive for FIV, and that you also were given bad information from your vet. I am truly sorry for the loss of your cat. Unfortunately, many vets are not up-to-date with the most current research and information regarding FIV. I too had a negative experience with a vet when my Sassy girl tested positive. He said that she would probably die soon and should be kept separate from my other cats because she could pass FIV to them through shared food/water bowls and grooming. I decided to do my own research and found that information to be completely WRONG! Cats with FIV can live with other cats, as long as the cats get along. FIV is passed through deep bite wounds, so as long as the cats don’t fight (like serious fighting, not just play fighting), then there really is no risk of the disease being passed between them. Here is another post I did that you may like to read – it is all about FIV, how it is passed, what it means, etc… https://kittycatchronicles.com/home/the-ins-outs-of-fiv1/
Again, I am so sorry to hear about you and your neighbor’s experiences. Please let me know if you have any other questions.