Feline leukemia virus
Species of virus / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV can be transmitted from infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved. If not defeated by the animal's immune system, the virus weakens the cat's immune system, which can lead to diseases which can be lethal. Because FeLV is cat-to-cat contagious, FeLV+ cats should only live with other FeLV+ cats.
Feline leukemia virus | |
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Electron micrograph of Feline leukemia virus | |
Virus classification ![]() | |
(unranked): | Virus |
Realm: | Riboviria |
Kingdom: | Pararnavirae |
Phylum: | Artverviricota |
Class: | Revtraviricetes |
Order: | Ortervirales |
Family: | Retroviridae |
Genus: | Gammaretrovirus |
Species: | Feline leukemia virus |
Synonyms[1] | |
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FeLV is categorized into four subgroups, A, B, C and T. An infected cat has a combination of FeLV-A and one or more of the other subgroups.[2][3] Symptoms, prognosis and treatment are all affected by subgroup.[2]
FeLV+ cats often have a shorter lifespan, but can still live "normal", healthy lives.[4]