[Felvtalk] Transmittal via fleas

[Lee Evans]

I would be very surprised if fleas could transmit FeLv.  If that were true, most of my cats would have it.  I have had lots of experience with leukemia cats.  My last two were living in a room separate from the regular group of negative cats but the room was adjacent to the negative group and fleas are notorious for their ability to move from place to place on shoes, under doors, on clothes and just plain hopping around until they reach a nice warm cat.  No one in the regular room contracted FeLv.  I have even had two FeLv+ cats living with a group of FeLv- cats some years ago and no one in the healthy group contracted leukemia.  The two cats who had it were old and in addition to kidney failure, they went symptomatic with leukemia.  They had tested negative most of their lives so I assume the disease was hiding in the bone marrow and surfaced when their general health broke down from age.  I'm not sure that asking a veterinarian would clarify
 this issue for you since I have come across vets who were so ignorant that they thought FeLv and FIV in cats could be transmitted to humans.  When it comes to cats, we seem to still be living in the Dark Ages of witch hunts and superstition.

 
Spay and Neuter your cats and dogs and your weird relatives and nasty neighbors too!




________________________________
 From: Natalie <atia2 at optonline.net>
To: felvtalk at felineleukemia.org 
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Transmittal via fleas
 

Hi, Kathy,
Welcome – I’m sure that those with more experience with FeLV will respond in more detail.
My exposure to FeLV has been limited – only 1 kitten years ago, and 2 adult cats very recently.
I’d be surprised if the kittens of a FeLV positive mother would be FeLV negative.
I don’t know about fleas transmitting FeLV to other cats; it could be like the mistaken idea years ago of HIV being transmitted by mosquitoes.
In addition to the flea treatment, get a flea comb, fill a small bowl with water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid or other soap.  When you comb kittens or your cats, dip comb into the water, and with your fingers remove any fur with fleas under the water.  Fleas will drown because the soap removes their waxy covering, otherwise they would float on top of the water and jump off.
When kittens are too small, I always use this method, and spot-check all the other cats this way.  
Buy a flea collar, cut off a small piece activate by pulling it, and place it inside your vacuum OR immediately dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the vacuum if it’s the bag-less type.
Natalie =^..^=
From:felvtalk-bounces at felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-bounces at felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of Kathy
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 10:06 AM
To: felvtalk at felineleukemia.org
Subject: [Felvtalk] Transmittal via fleas
 
I'm new to this group & to FeLV.  2 kittens showed up at my house about a 3 weeks ago, I took them inside, bathed good & put in separate room away from my 2 other cats.  I just found out that the mother cat has FeLV so have been told that the kittens probably do as well.  I found a few fleas on one of the kittens last night so immediately bathed both of them again & vacuumed the room really good.  I've been so careful to keep them away from my other 2 cats & now am a bit concerned that a few fleas could transmit if they got on my cats.  Any advice that can be offered is appreciate.  I researched briefly online & saw that it was a possibility so am concerned.  I also treated the kittens (a little over 8 weeks) w/a flea spot treatment about an hour after their bath………..it was specifically for any kitten or cat 8 weeks & older.  Was a milder treatment I could tell b/c it doesn't kill flea eggs.
K-
Kathy Wood
“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” 
Anatole France 1844-1924 
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