I had a request for information about cats with leukemia, called FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). Can they live normal lives without having to be quarantined or isolated?
The conventional advice from conventional veterinary authorities is, of course, to either keep them away from other cats or to simply euthanize them now, before they become too sick to have any "quality of life" or spread it to another cat.
This is an outdated view these days, but it's still the traditionally accepted method of handling them. The more progressive opinion is that even leukemia positive cats can - and should - be allowed to live fulfilling lives. Simply killing them off is not humane, contradicting those who believe it is, and in the end, it does nothing to stop the disease. It's still the most common deadly disease of cats, but the statistics may surprise you. They are not quite as dire as many think, and a surprising number of cats actually outgrow the virus if they live long enough, conferring lifelong immunity.
It must be noted, however, that FeLV cats must be handled correctly if they are to enjoy their lives without endangering others or suffering themselves.
They can even be quite healthy, despite their viral infection, which results in a diminished immune system. This makes them more vulnerable to common ailments which then can become deadly. While they can successfully live with other cats, it's not done by simply allowing them to be together without taking precautions.
I found several articles online about leukemia cats that suggest helpful and hopeful ways to give them the life they deserve as much as any other cat. The message at these few sites is that FeLV does not have to be a death sentence.
Find a holistic vet, if possible, or try to work with the vet you have on assisting in their care if or when these cats need medical attention.
As expected and observed, the disease is most deadly for kittens, who can acquire it from their mothers before even being born, or from close contact with infected cats in their environment. It doesn't take much contact to spread this virus to vulnerable young ones.
However, I want people to know that taking kittens away from their mothers too soon has more than behavioral consequences. It also results in lowered immunity due to poor nutrition (humans can never feed them as well as their own mothers do) and the loss of natural antibodies passed to them through mother's milk.
If you are considering fostering or adopting a leukemia positive cat (bless you), please research and learn what your responsibilities will be to ensure their health and well being.
