What are the chances of bringing home feline leukemia?

Question

and spreading it to my kitties at home.......

I have been around a cat that recently was put down due to advanced feline leukemia. I petted the cat a couple of times, before I realized it was sick. But I have held and petted cats that have been around the sick cat and as far as I know those other cats tested neg for FLV.

My 2 kitties are all up to date with all their vaccines including FLV.

Answer 1

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Feline leukemia requires direct cat-to-cat contact to spread, it can't survive in the environment for very long. So the chances of bringing it home on your hands or clothes is slim to none. And keeping your cats' vaccines current makes the chances slim to none that they'd catch it even if they were to come in direct contact with an infected cat. This is EXACTLY why everyone should vaccinate ALL their animals. Your cats are very well-protected. You don't need to worry.

The feline leukemia vaccine does NOT cause feline leukemia in any way, shape or form. ALL cat vaccines carry a very small risk of causing tumors to form (vaccine induced sarcoma) but it's much less of a risk than leaving your animals unvaccinated. It's still unknown if it's something in the vaccines, or just the physical trauma from the injection that causes it. Dogs don't seem to make these tumors, just cats and horses. And most vets now give cat vaccines in the rear, because it's much easier to remove a tumor from a rear leg should one form. And since feline leukemia is ALWAYS fatal, it's much better to get the vaccine done.

Answer 2

No. It is not safe to bring another cat into the house because it can catch it also. if you have more than one animal, get them checked, and keep and eye on her. p1 Keep your cat permanently indoors. Because of his weakened immune system, the outdoors is dangerous for your cat. It also prevents him from spreading the feline leukemia virus to any neighborhood cats. Step2 Have your cat spayed or neutered. When a pregnant cat is infected the virus spreads to the kittens. Step3 Feed her a nutritional diet. Infected cats need the immune system boost that a healthy diet gives them. Ask your veterinarian for a recommended brand. Step4 Bring him to the veterinarian clinic at least once every six months. Your veterinarian can do an examination to see what your cat's overall health is and how much deterioration there has been. Warn the clinic ahead of time that you are bringing in a feline leukemia positive cat so that they can take precautions to avoid other cats being infected. Step5 Watch her for any signs of illness or changes in health. If you notice any differences, call your veterinarian immediately. Step6 Get all cats in your household tested. Infected cats often aren't diagnosed until after they have already had the chance to infect the others. Step7 Protect your non-infected cats by keeping them separate from the one infected with feline leukemia. Use different food dishes and litter boxes. Prevent them from having any contact with each other.

Answer 3

Hon I'd say you have very little to be concerned about. FeLeuk is usually spread by contact with an infected cat's saliva or urine. And if your cats are vaccinated, there's practically no chance whatever.

Now...relax and get a good night's sleep :)

Answer 4

if your cats are vaccinate no worries, did you wash your hands?

i would not worry too much

im a groomer and have dealt with Flv and Fiv+ cats and never had a problem my cats were all vaccinated though

its highly unlikely that there is an issue

Answer 5

Leukemia is spread from cat to cat through scratches, bites and bodily fluids. So as long as you washed your hands and clothes there should be no problems

Source(s): I am a vet assistant

Answer 6

Feline leukemia is only transmitted through diect contact (fighting involving bites, mating and such) and if your kitties are up to date on vacc. then I'd say they're okay

Answer 7

i already had 2 cats at home and picked up a third stray. i had her for a few weeks before we took her to the veet because of the funny smell. she was put down because of feline lukemia. one of my other cats cuddled with her and both of them stayed healthy.

Answer 8

Very, very slight if it is indeed at all possible. Don't vaccinate your kitties for leukemia. The vaccine has been implicated in actually causing the disease.

Source(s): www.littlebigcat.com. Dr. Jean Hovfe's article titled "Vaccinations".

Answer 9

I'd say pretty slim. I believe it is passed through saliva and direct contact. And since they are up to date on vaccines, you really don't have anything to worry about.

Answer 10

well i dont think you can spread lukimea by petting 1 cat,then paetting another,i use to hold hands with my gf who had it and i touched other people and they don't have it so...ya