Prevalence and sequelae of feline leukemia virus infection in laboratory cats

Over a 4-year period, 1,683 pound-source cats received at a research institution were screened for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, using an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Viremia was detected in 83 of the cats, for a prevalence of 4.9%. During this period, FeLV infection was detected in 5 kittens on a research project; lymphoma or anemia developed 6 to 17 months after the infections were detected. It was concluded that apparently healthy cats infected with FeLV may not be appropriate for some biomedical research projects.