One of my cats was just diagnosed with FeLV. We have had her for eight years and she has lived with our other cats during that time. When we took her in eight years ago, she was a stray and had a nasty wound on her leg, we do not know from what. I was stunned to learn she has feline leukemia virus after all this time. All of our cats are indoor only, and if they do go out it is to our huge cat pen for a few hours a day, then back indoors. We have our sick cat isolated in a room away from the other cats and I am being meticulous about everything. Took our other cats for feleuk vaccinations asap. My question is-Can fleas infect my healthy cats from my sick cat, even though they are separated? They all still live in the same house. I bathe them regularly, but am going to get Advantage asap. This is worrying me, any advice is much appreciated.

Oh god what a nightmare Im not sure if it can be trasmitted by fleas but I would think possible.

I would get your other cats tested before vaccinating though, the cat who has it may have had it since day one, so the rest have been exposed to it already. We had two kittens years ago who were ferral & probably caught it off there mum they were 1yr old when they became ill, but our other cat lived till he was 16. Hope your other cats are ok x

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All my children have paws!

Yes, it is a nightmare. We went ahead and got the other cats their feleuk shots the day after we found out that Skittles had Felv. Our oldest cats had been receiving their shots anually. I didn't think there was anything to worry about, since we keep them all indoors, except for their outdoor pen. By what I have researched, the felv vaccine will not cause a positive reading on the snap test. I am going to have them all tested.

Our vet at the time said to wait 3 months before getting our surviving cat tested then vaccinated but that was a good 20 years ago so things may have moved on What did your vet say about testing now?

Its mainly very young or old cats that are more at risk as there immune systems can be lower. Some cats can just be carriers & never show any signs of the disease

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All my children have paws!

Sorry to hear about your cat. Exposure to the virus doesn't mean the others in the household will actually go on to develop the conditon.

Have you had only one test for the virus? Here is more important information from another thread.

FeLV and Interferon

FeLV is spread by contact with other cats through the saliva, tears and urine by way of bite wounds, shared dishes or litter trays, or close contact ie grooming each other. Theoretically possible I suppose though unlikely I would have thought via fleas . I would discuss with vet.

Thanks so much for the responses and info. I did ask my vet whether fleas could transmit and he said it could be possible but was very unlikely. He said if it were feline aids, then I would have something to worry about. AS for getting the rest of the cats tested, I have read that it might be best to wait at least 30 days after my sick cat was diagnosed. The Felv just came on so quickly in Skittles. Three weeks ago she was normal weight, and she is now skin and bones. I hate what this is doing to her, the vet wants me to finish up her meds then put her on interferon. Please pray for her and that my other cats remain healthy.

Everything crossed here for your fur family x

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All my children have paws!