Hey you I asked you quetsions about my cat yesterday... well we take him to the vet and they just now got back to us that he had feline leukemia. And that he will not get better and that they have to put him down :(

But now I have more questions...


How did he get this is,it in the air ground or did he get it from another cat because he was an outside cat.

Also can I get sick from this or is it only a cat thing

And I am wondering to can my other cats get sick I have another outside cat and an inside kitten. My other outside cat mainly stay away from him they weren't that close.
And when I was seen about the sick one I washed my hands when I went inside every thing I'm sure of it but what if I didn't wash my hands before messing with my inside cat is she at risk of getting this to! I have never heard of feline leukemia so if any of you have some answers can you imform me thanks!

Leukemia is a type of cancer, I'm sorry I don't know the specifics, but I can assure you that your other kitten cannot 'catch' it.
It's just one of those unfortunate things that happens.

Okay thanks!! I'm so worried for my other cats to

And I have never heard of this

Yes they can catch it. (cats not people) I adopted a kitten the same day he got sick he ha aids/luk and said it was very contagious as all his littermates had it as wee. Behaves much like a virus!

Just googled it, it is transferred like a virus through saliva. So if they groomed each other it is possible. I would get your other kitty tested. As well as sanitizing your home to kill the virus.

So they is like aids for cats? And is it airborn or just hand on ?

Sorry, I was partially wrong.

It is hard for them to catch it but not impossible, they have to share things like a food bowl or by biting each other.


Cats persistently infected with FeLV serve as sources of infection. Virus is shed in very high quantities in saliva and nasal secretions, but also in urine, feces, and milk from infected cats. Cat-to-cat transfer of virus may occur from a bite wound, during mutual grooming, and (though rarely) through the shared use of litter boxes and feeding dishes.

It's transferred through saliva. So I gues if they sneeze and saliva lands someplace and the other cat ingests it it is possible. Transmits like any other virus.

What cats are at greatest risk of infection?
Cats at greatest risk of infection are those that may be exposed to infected cats, either via prolonged close contact or through bite wounds. Such cats include:

*

Cats living with infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status
*

Cats allowed outdoors unsupervised, where they may be bitten by an infected cat
*

Kittens born to infected mothers

Kittens are much more susceptible to infection than are adult cats, and therefore are at the greatest risk of infection if exposed. But accompanying their progression to maturity is an increasing resistance to FeLV infection. For example, the degree of virus exposure sufficient to infect 100% of young kittens will infect only 30% or fewer adults. Nonetheless, even healthy adult cats can become infected if sufficiently exposed.

This site has a good explanation and all about how to care for a cat with FeLV.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) (http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html)

Okay thanks I just reda something that sound that this virus can't live out side the cats body for more than a few hours... do you thinks that true? This is something I want to be sure about for the health of my other cats!

If I were you I would get all my cats tested!

Yeah I know I guess you can't be to safe I was just wanting to make sure I was not over reacting!

Get your other cats tested ASAP. Then get them vaccinated for it if they are going to continue being outdoor cats. It isn't just about the current cat, nor just about grooming. It can be spread other ways (like fighting) - and is going to be picked up from a cat outside (or if you let strays in). If they are all tested and then you keep them inside, then you should be safe.