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How can I tell if my 6-week-old kitten has FIV or feline leukemia?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

What would be some definite signs of feline leukemia or FIV In a kitten that is about six weeks old

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 18th, 2017

Keep in mind that many diseases have similar symptoms, so the only way to definitively know if a kitten has a specific disease is to be blood tested for it, and I do recommend having that done if you suspect your kitten may have one of these diseases. Kittens born to mothers infected with feline leukemia can have it, and symptoms include anorexia, slow and progressive weight loss, poor coat condition, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, pale gums and other mucus membranes, persistent diarrhea, eye conditions, and infections of the skin amount many other symptoms. Symptoms of FIV include fever, poor coat condition, anorexia, diarrhea, eye conditions, infections of the skin, bladder, and upper respiratory tract, weight loss, and various types of cancer and blood diseases which are more common in cats with FIV.

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on

    I'm afraid that there are really no definite outward signs of this disease. Affected kittens may have a harder time getting over infections or may be anemic and lethargic, but in my experience most infected kittens show no outward signs at all at this age - testing is the only way to determine if they are infected.

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