Expert: Jessica - 10/12/2010

Question
Hi there,

I attended a pet adoption day Saturday and I was looking at some of the pets.  I held a kitty and it was at least 5-6 hours before I got home.  I'm almost positive that I washed my hands between those times.

I just was looking at animals that shelter had online and found out that the cat I held is positive for feline leuk... from what I've read online it is passed by saliva, blood, urine, etc.  Do I need to be getting my cat checked out?  From what I've found online it states the it is passed by direct contact between cats.  I didn't hold the other kitty for very long and can't imagine that I got any sort of fluids on me.

I sent the shelter an e-mail saying that they need to tell people cats are positive for feline leuk before they let anyone hold them.  I know it isn't contagious to people but to protect the other animals at the adoption day.

Thanks for your help.
Andrea

Answer
Hi Andrea,

Sorry for the delay in my response.

Your cat should not be at risk.  Because the leukemia virus is so unstable outside of its host, and cats are quite resistant to the virus by nature, the transmission of the virus takes prolonged contact, such as the repeated sharing of food and water, or repeated mutual grooming, or an intense direct route such as a deep penetrating bite wound.  Indirect contact such as petting one cat and then petting another cat a while later won't result in an infection.  However, I agree that anyone who holds the kitty should be made aware of her infection so that they can disinfect their hands before holding other cats, as a precaution.  If the cat licks your hands, you won't want to pet any of the other kitties immediately.

Best wishes!

Jessica