Feline Leukemia Virus is Endemic in Hawaii
Feline Leukemia Virus is Endemic in Hawaii
Feline leukemia virus or FeLV is very much like the virus that causes Feline AIDS. There are free-ranging cats with FeLV in Hawaii and they are a potential source of infection to all cats with whom they have close contact.
Cats can transmit FeLV via scratches, bites, mating, and from queen to kitten. Spayed and neutered cats tend to engage in less of these higher risk activities. Feline leukemia can also be transmitted (though not as easily) through close casual contact between cats, including grooming and shared dishes or litter pans.
Infected cats do not always show signs of illness right away. Still, Feline leukemia does threaten health and longevity and most infected cats succumb within a few years. FeLV typically brings about the patient's demise by suppressing or altering their immune system, thus lowering resistance to infections and cancer. Infected cats can still be treated, but there is currently no cure for FeLV.
There is a vaccine for FeLV, however, it is not 100% protective. Moreover, the vaccine is of the type (adjuvanted) associated with tumor development at the injection site in a small number of cats. As with any vaccination, the benefits should be weighed against the risks. The safest and surest way of protecting cats from FeLV is to ascertain that they are FeLV-negative before bringing them into your home and preventing contact with FeLV-positive or FeLV-unknown cats.