The FeLV is a virus which is specific to cats. This virus belongs to the retrovirus family. It is the main cause of illness and death among cats the world over. The virus can cause a cat’s immune system to break down and can also cause anemia, leukemia and tumors. There are three kinds of feline leukemia virus.

FeLV-A which causes immunosuppression in affected cats, FeLV-B which commonly causes tumors and abnormal tissue growth and FeLV-C which causes severe anemia. This virus is extremely fragile and does not survive on surfaces which are constantly cleaned with detergents or bleach. This virus gets transmitted only when a cat makes contact with another infected cat. Saliva is the most common means of transmission of the feline leukemia virus. It spreads easily when cats groom, lick or bits each other.

It can also spread when the infected cat shares dishes and litter pans with other cats. A main feature of this virus is that it can stay in your bone marrow in a dormant condition for a very long time. This is called latent infection. The disease can pass to kittens from their mothers during birth or while nursing.