Fiv

[7rider]

So. How reliable are vet's FIV tests? Are there different techniques, one more reliable than another?

Brought Paris and Zoe on for their 1-year checkups today - booster shots and a once-over. Also had Zoe tested for FIV. Both tested positive as kittens, Paris was negative at 6 mos, but Zoe still showed it. Well, she still came back positive. And she had a strong negative reaction to the shots - throwing up 9 times until we brought her back to the vet for further treatment.

BIL, who has two additional litter mates - both negative - doubts the veracity of the test. It seemed pretty easy - like a Pregnancy test - red is positive not-red is negative. Zoe's was pretty red. So, at ~15 mos old, is she now stuck with it? Any chance she'll come back negative at next years visit? Any chance the test is wrong and we should go to another vet to have her tested there?

Thanks, all.

[Koronin]

From my understanding they are pretty accurate. The one that may not be is the FeLV which will give a false positive if the cat was already tested for it. From my knowledge of it, yes she has it and will always have it. What my understanding is, is that if kittens are born to a mother who has FIV you cannot be sure of their first test, but typically at 6 months to a year whatever they test is what they are. However, she is fine around negative cats as long as there are no cat fights in which blood is transferred. We had a stray show up that is FIV positive and actually is now living very peacefully with my mom's cat who is negative. We have no idea how old the stray is. She can live a fairly long life even though she is positive.

[westtexas]

The standard IDEXX FeLV/FIV test (which may or may not include Heartworm antibody and antigen) is a pretty accurate test in cats older than 6 months. At younger than 6 months, it can be influenced by maternal antibodies, as that is what the FIV portion of the test detects (the FeLV detects antigen). Therefore, if your kitty is still testing positive at this age, it's a sure thing.

Luckily, FIV is the better of the two major immune-deficiency viruses of kitties to have. Your kitty can live a long, normal, healthy life as long as she receives good preventative care and you address any medical problems right away. She'll be more susceptible to infections that normal kitties could handle on their own, but for the most part, these guys do alright. FeLV on the other hand - is basically a death sentence. By Age 1, 50% of those kittens die from lymphoma. By age 2, 50% of the remaining are gone and by age 3, they are pretty much all dead (although I have a cat running around right now at the age of 13 who is FeLV positive - very very rare).

FIV cats are safe in multi-cat households as long as there isn't any biting, scratching or excessive mutual grooming. Whatever you do, DO NOT get your other cats vaccinated for FIV. This will cause them to all test positive on future FIV tests as the vaccine stimulates antibodies, which is what the test detects (there are several other majors flaws with the vaccine, but it's not that important). FeLV vaccination is ok, if that is something you and your vet decide is important. For my feline patients who are indoor only I don't bother with it.

If she's got a bad reaction to vaccinations - hopefully just the FVRCP (infectious upper respiratory viruses/bacteria) and Rabies - you may be able to hold off on them provided her contact with other kitties is limited and she's indoor only. Most states require Rabies, but titers can be done (at least in Texas) to prove vaccination in lieu of giving your cat a bad reaction. Sometimes a little pre-medication with Benadryl is helpful, or I often given a nice dose of dexamethasone with my known-reactors.

So, unfortunately, yes, the test is very accurate - but, fortunately, FIV is not a death sentence. If you have other questions, just let me know, I'm here to help.

[Koronin]

westtexas, thanks, I figured someone would know better than I do on this.

For NC the rules on Rabies vaccine is every three years. The ONLY exception is to get your pet on the exempt list, which a vet can do for medical reasons.

[7rider]

Thanks.

Cats are indoor only.

Why not vaccinate the others? Too late, as Paris was vaccinated @ 6 mos when he tested negative and we were reasonably confident that Zoe would, too. At that point, all the litter mates, save Zoe, were negative. Vet said to microchip if we ever let him out, as he'd test positive if lost and picked up - and tested - by animal control. Since we don't let them out, he's not currently microchipped.

House is a 2-cat house - brother and sister. They wrestle some, but nothing major. Both fixed. When we returned to the vet, Zoe got 3 shots: Benedryl, a steroid, and something to settle her stomach - I forget what it was but it stung and Zoe hissed like I would never have thought her capable! She's normally very sweet tempered. They did note on her file to pre-medicate in the future.

[feral1]

Thanks.

Cats are indoor only.

Why not vaccinate the others? Too late, as Paris was vaccinated @ 6 mos when he tested negative and we were reasonably confident that Zoe would, too. At that point, all the litter mates, save Zoe, were negative. Vet said to microchip if we ever let him out, as he'd test positive if lost and picked up - and tested - by animal control. Since we don't let them out, he's not currently microchipped.

House is a 2-cat house - brother and sister. They wrestle some, but nothing major. Both fixed. When we returned to the vet, Zoe got 3 shots: Benedryl, a steroid, and something to settle her stomach - I forget what it was but it stung and Zoe hissed like I would never have thought her capable! She's normally very sweet tempered. They did note on her file to pre-medicate in the future.

It was probably Cerenia.....animals don't usually like it since it does sting a bit.