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Are my vaccinated cats at risk of FeLV from an infected kitten?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 7 months and 27 days old

My sister just found out her kitten's sibling has feline lukemia and that her kitten(age 10 months or so) might have it as well. They were tested when they left the shelter but it came out negative. My sister's cat has been sick lately but FeLV was supposedly ruled out. They were saying she had autoimmune issue. Now her kitten is sick again and my 2 cats have been around her kitten. One has had their 3 shots of FeLV and the other has had 2. Are they at risk of catching it if she does have FeLV?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jacqueline Nobles, DVM, DACVECC

Veterinarian, Board-Certified Emergency/Critical Care Specialist

Published on December 28th, 2016

While technically they are at risk, they are adults that have been vaccinated so it is less likely they will contract the virus.
Cats at greatest risk of infection are those that may be exposed to infected cats, either via prolonged close contact or through bite wounds. Such cats include:
1) Cats living with infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status
2) Cats allowed outdoors unsupervised, where they may be bitten by an infected cat
3) Kittens born to infected mothers
Kittens are much more susceptible to infection than are adult cats, and therefore are at the greatest risk of infection if exposed. The degree of virus exposure sufficient to infect 100% of young kittens will infect only 30% or fewer adults. Nonetheless, even healthy adult cats can become infected if sufficiently exposed.
It is best to separate the cats. If it turns out that sister's cat has FeLv, it is not an immediate death sentence. Retrovirus-positive cats may live many years without related illness.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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