Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retroviral disease occurring in cats. Other retroviral diseases include feline AIDS (FIV) and HIV/AIDS in humans. Fortunately, neither feline disease is contagious to humans.

FeLV tends to be a disease of younger, friendly cats, as the disease spreads via shared food and water bowls and licking and grooming behaviors. FeLV causes disease by suppressing the immune system, which can lead to life-threatening secondary infections and even cancer.

Not every cat that contracts FeLV dies. Some reject the challenge by the virus and return to negative status. However, if infected cats remain persistently positive for the virus, then statistically they have an 80% chance of dying over the next three years from chronic illness.

At Plano Animal Clinic, we use a viral treatment protocol similar to the one I developed for treating canine distemper. The protocol uses a proprietary combination of viral inhibitors and immune stimulants to aid the patient's recovery. We have had relatively few patients to treat, but the ones treated have generally done well. We do not know their long-term prognosis, but in the short term, their strength and vitality have significantly improved.