How can a baby kitten transmit feline aids and feline leukemia to adult cats?

FeLV and FIV are spread through bodily fluids – blood, urine, and saliva. Fighting, hissing, or even grooming could potentially transmit the viruses.

for those who don’t know, syz is fluther’s very own personal vet and shilolo is the fluther doctor, so their answers to such Qs are never “guesses”

Good to know! Thanks PnL!

Well, I just spoke to our vet about this very issue (we’re fostering a kitten abandoned in a parking lot in the oppressive heat of summer) and they said what syz said :0)

I love that we have a vet here!!!!

In the interest of full disclosure (and so as not to be accused of misrepresenting myself), I am not a DVM. I am a vet tech with 20+ years of experience who now manages a 24 hour emergency and specialty hospital. I also have at my disposal 6 helpful veterinarians for support and backup.

I have two cats that are positive for FeLV and it is transmitted easier than FIV. FIV (feline HIV) requires blood contact or sexual contact. FeLV (feline leukemia) can be transmitted through more casual saliva contact, like sharing a water bowl, or bathing each other. That’s what my vet said, at least