When should I retest FeLV positive kitten?
Because the test detects antibodies to the disease, a kitten may test as positive for the disease due to circulating maternal antibodies. These antibodies have generally dissipated by 5 to 6 months of age, so if a kitten tests positive, it is recommended that the kitten should be retested after 6 months old.
Can kittens test false positive for FeLV?
Accurate results are paramount. A false-positive result means that a healthy, uninfected cat has tested positive. A positive test result could lead to that cat being euthanized unnecessarily. A false-negative result means that an infected cat has been missed and is considered free of the infection.
Can you tell if a kitten has FIV?
Some of the most common signs seen in FIV infected cats are: Weight loss. Recurrent fever. Lethargy.
Does FIV go away in kittens?
Though there is no cure for FIV, recent studies suggest that cats with FIV commonly live average life spans, as long as they are not also infected with feline leukemia virus.
What does it mean if a cat tests positive for feline leukemia?
However, testing positive just means that the virus is circulating in the cat’s blood; it does not mean that the cat will be permanently infected. It is possible for them to fight off the infection. To find out if it is a persistent infection, an IFA test can be sent to a lab.
How old do kittens have to be to test for FIV?
A small number of cats will fail to produce detectable levels of antibodies after infection and these cats will have false negative results with both ELISA and Western blot testing. Positive FIV antibody tests in kittens under 6 months of age must be interpreted carefully.
What does a negative FIV test mean for a kitten?
A negative FIV test should be confirmed, but for all intents and purposes, a negative FIV test in a kitten strongly suggests that the cat is not infected with the virus. FeLV is spread to cats through direct contact, such as licking, grooming, fighting and sharing food bowls, water bowls and cat litter boxes.
What should you do if your kitten test positive for FeLV?
If a queen or any one of her litter of kittens tests FeLV-positive, all should be considered potentially infected and isolated, with follow up testing to resolve status. Susceptibility to FeLV infection is age-related, with the highest infection rates in very young kittens.
How long do FIV antibodies last in kittens?
Maternally derived vaccine-associated antibodies may persist in kittens for longer than 8 weeks, giving another reason to interpret positive FIV antibody tests in young kittens with caution and to recommend re-testing.
Can a stray cat test positive for FIV?
Positive FIV test results are a fairly common occurrence. Stray cats, old cats, and even kittens oftentimes test positive for FIV.
A small number of cats will fail to produce detectable levels of antibodies after infection and these cats will have false negative results with both ELISA and Western blot testing. Positive FIV antibody tests in kittens under 6 months of age must be interpreted carefully.
What should I do if my cat has FIV?
The veterinarian, like a vet should, suggests a FeLV/FIV test. Two days later, the test comes back positive for FIV. You, as an owner, need to know how to handle this scenario. The first test we run is called an ELISA test.
If a queen or any one of her litter of kittens tests FeLV-positive, all should be considered potentially infected and isolated, with follow up testing to resolve status. Susceptibility to FeLV infection is age-related, with the highest infection rates in very young kittens.
