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My cat has hepatitis. Can she pass it to her newborn kittens?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed

I was told my cat has hepatitis and now she had kittens, will they be transmitted the disease before birth or by nursing on the mother?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 10th, 2018

Hepatitis is inflammation to the liver, and it can be caused by a number of different things. It's generally not transmissible to other cats unless it is caused by one of the infectious viruses such as feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, or feline infectious peritonitis. That means the answer to your question depends on the cause of Lou's hepatitis. I would speak with the vet who diagnosed her hepatitis to find out the cause of it, and if it can be transmitted to her kittens. Best of luck!

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