Question about felv/fiv testing

[Catlady711]

Where I work we test cats 4 months and older. Positives are retested 1-2 months later.

If they test negative for FELV we go ahead and vaccinate. We don't use the FIV vaccination where I work because it causes a cat that has been vaccinated to test positive for the disease since the test (SNAP combo) doesn't know the difference between the actual disease and the vaccine immune response. (BTW this is not the ONLY reason our hospital doesn't use that vaccine)

That's about all I know about it, although if I get a chance I'll ask the head vet next time I'm at work because now I'm curious. lol

[smokey the elder]

FIV seems to be endemic in southern Westchester. We've had several false positives from there; the kittens probably had antibodies from the mothers. Western Blot tests, while slow and expensive, are very good for confirming the results. The kittens in question did throw off the virus and tested negative at 6 months.

If we followed the one year old protocol, we would not be able to adopt a single kitten. Many vets in our area will test at 8 weeks, but call the results "at risk" and say they are not 100% accurate. Well, no test is.

[moosmom]

Michelle,

Sorry, but I beg to differ with your vet.

I had a kitten, 9 weeks old who was tested for both. She tested POSITIVE!! I adopted her from a rescue organization as a feral baby who was bottle fed. To say I was devastated is an understatement. Debi, the president, told me to bring Marina Mar to her and she would have blood taken and sent out to a lab. "Snap" tests, as they are called, often test positive if done before 4 months of age.

The second, more reliable test turned out NEGATIVE!! Have them do the blood test. PLEASE!!

[kittycats_delight]

Michelle,

Sorry, but I beg to differ with your vet.

I had a kitten, 9 weeks old who was tested for both. She tested POSITIVE!! I adopted her from a rescue organization as a feral baby who was bottle fed. To say I was devastated is an understatement. Debi, the president, told me to bring Marina Mar to her and she would have blood taken and sent out to a lab. "Snap" tests, as they are called, often test positive if done before 4 months of age.

The second, more reliable test turned out NEGATIVE!! Have them do the blood test. PLEASE!!

You know Donna it seems that the vet was slightly confused which is what I believed in the beginning. The is the first practice she has been involved in as a 'vet' per say. She was involved more on an assistant level before now.

As it goes right now I am waiting to hear from my vet in canada. I emailed him friday and he got back to me saying he tried to call but could not get through. So he said he is going to go over my email this weekend and get back to me with everything I want to know tomorrow(monday). Vega is not going anywhere. She is staying with us unlesss it is absolutely necessary to rehome her. She will be tested for sure. I am just waiting for Dr.D (my vet in canada) to tell me the best time to go so.

Thanks so much everyone
Michelle

[jennielynn1970]

We've had kittens test positive, only to turn out negative later on.

One of my fosters, Piglet, tested positive 2 or 3 xs when the family who originally had him tested him at her vet's office. I had him from the time he was 1 1/2 to 2 1/2yrs old. We retested him 3xs. He was negative 3xs in a row .

From what I was told by the vet's office was that it was possible to test a false positive, but NOT possible to test a false negative. Same with human HIV tests. You can't test negative and not be negative. If the antibodies are there, they will be picked up by the test, even if it's light.

[Kalei]

I dont' know anything about this stuff, but I hope you can get a straight answer soon. Little Vega wants to be tested so she knows if she can stay with you

Many prayers coming your way for an answer, and for Vega to be negative

[lvpets2002]

I am taking Rastus Gem back in for a checkup this coming Saturday && I am going to ask my Vet about this question.. I will tell you all what my Vet's response is..