Are my vaccinated cats at risk of FeLV from an infected kitten?
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.
Updated on September 23, 2025