Summary:

• FIV and FeLV are deadly viral diseases that infect cats
• Test new cats before introducing them to your existing cats
• Separate positive cats from negative cats to prevent transmission
• Keep cats indoors to prevent fighting with neighborhood cats
• Vaccinate outdoor cats for FeLV
• Provide additional care for infected cats

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are common viral diseases that infect cats. They are in the retrovirus family, and cause illness and death.

Infection is via a bite or a scratch, or the viruses can spread from mother to kitten across the placenta. FeLV can also spread by close contact, grooming, and shared litterboxes over a period of time. The viruses do not survive outside the body for more than a few hours. Infected cats can appear healthy or they may look sick.

FIV causes chronic diarrhea, bad breath, dental disease, a poor coat, weight loss, skin infections, and other clinical signs related to a suppressed immune system.

FeLV causes cancer including lymphoma and leukemia, anemia, chronic infections, weight loss, and other problems.

Current recommendations at Evesham Veterinary Clinic are that new kittens and adult cats being brought into a home for the first time be tested for FIV and FeLV. We also frequently recommend testing on sick cats, especially those that spend any time outdoors.

We use the Idexx SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test, based on ELISA technology. The test is safe, quick, reliable, and affordable. It requires a few drops of blood and takes ten minutes in the office to run.

The Idexx SNAP test is very sensitive, meaning it will give very few false negatives. Recent infection is one cause of false negatives.

The test is also very specific, but there are instances where false positives may occur:

• Positive mother, young negative kitten carrying maternal antibodies to FIV
• FeLV infected cat that spontaneously clears the infection on his own (very rare)

The test may be confirmed by Western Blot for FIV or an IFA test for FeLV. Young kittens who test positive for FIV can be retested by the SNAP test when they are older.

Positive tests alone are not an indication for euthanasia in an otherwise healthy cat. In some cases, the FeLV and FIV viruses can lie dormant for years and these cats can enjoy an excellent quality of life.

In recent years, a misperception about the test has spread among a large number of people. Many individuals who work with kittens are recommending to delay testing until they are six months old because of the chance of false positives due to maternal antibodies. The rationale is that a positive test could result in euthanasia of a healthy animal.

We disagree with this approach for several reasons. Not knowing the FIV and FeLV status puts other cats at risk of infection, and it misses the opportunity to provide increased care for the infected kitten. Although there are some infected kittens that do very well, the majority become ill and have significantly shortened lifespans. Families deserve the opportunity to decide for themselves if they are willing to take on the emotional costs of adopting a positive kitten.

The test has limitations, but one thing it is very good at is detecting positives. If your new kitten tests negative, you have peace of mind knowing there is very little chance your kitten is infected.

The viruses pose no direct threat to humans. However, positive cats can have a difficult time clearing other infectious diseases, and they may shed them into their environment. For this reason we recommend against bringing these cats into a household where any humans are themselves immunocompromised.

A vaccine is available for FeLV.  It is very good, and currently recommended for all cats who spend time outdoors or who live with a positive cat.

There is also a vaccine available for FIV,  but it is reserved for cats at high risk of contracting the disease.  It will make cats test positive on the SNAP test, so all vaccinated cats must be microchipped.

If you have any questions or would like to have your cat tested for FIV and FeLV, please call us at (856) 983-9440.

EVESHAM VETERINARY CLINIC

800 ROUTE 73 SOUTH

MARLTON, NJ

(856) 983-9440

https://www.eveshamvet.com

The post Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Testing appeared first on Evesham Veterinary Clinic.

Diseases & Vaccination

One of the very best things you can do to give your cat a long and healthy life is to ensure that he is vaccinated against common feline diseases. Your cat’s mother gave her kitten immunity from disease for the first few weeks of existence by providing disease-fighting antibodies in her milk. After that period it’s up to you – with the help and advice of your veterinarian – to provide that protection.

How do vaccines work?
Vaccines contain small quantities of altered or “killed” viruses, bacteria or other disease-causing organisms. When administered, they stimulate your cat’s immune system to produce disease-fighting cells and proteins – or antibodies – to protect against disease.

When should my cat be vaccinated?
Generally, the immunity that a kitten gains from their mother’s milk begins to diminish after 8-9 weeks. It is then time to begin the initial vaccinations, usually a course of 2 or 3 injections given 3 to 4 weeks apart. Thereafter, your cat will require repeat vaccinations for the rest of his or her life. Of course, these are only guidelines – your veterinarian will be able to determine the exact schedule that’s right for your pet.

Which vaccinations should my cat receive?
Most veterinarians believe that your pet should be protected against those diseases which are most common, highly contagious, and which cause serious illness. Such diseases could include Rabies, Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Chlamydiosis. Other vaccinations may be recommended, based on your veterinarian’s evaluation of the risks posed by such factors as your cat’s particular heredity, environment and lifestyle.

	Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (“Cat Flu”), included in FVRCP Just as with the human common cold, the virus that causes this upper respiratory-tract infection is easily transmitted from one cat to another, so vaccination is imperative if your pet will come in contact with other cats. Its symptoms may take the form of moderate fever, loss of appetite, sneezing, eye and nasal discharges and coughing. Kittens are particularly affected, but this disease can be dangerous in any unprotected cat, as effective treatment is limited. Even if a cat recovers, it can remain a carrier for life.
	Feline Calicivirus (“Cat Flu”), included in FVRCP This virus is another major cause of upper respiratory-tract infection in cats. Widespread and highly contagious, its symptoms of fever, ulcers and blisters on the tongue and pneumonia can range from mild to severe, depending on the strain of virus present. Once again, treatment of this disease can be difficult. Even if recovery does take place, a recovered cat can continue to infect other animals, as well as experience chronic sneezing and runny eyes. Vaccination is therefore tremendously important.
	Feline Panleukopenia (parvovirus, feline distemper), included in FVRCP Sometimes known as feline infectious enteritis, this disease is caused by a virus so resistant, it can survive up to one year outside a cat’s body! Therefore, as most cats will be exposed to it during their lifetime and infection rates in unprotected cats can run as high as 90% to 100%, vaccination against this potentially fatal disease is absolutely essential. Symptoms can include listlessness, diarrhoea, vomiting, severe dehydration and fever. Happily, the vaccine itself is very effective in preventing the disease, as treatment is very difficult and, even if recovery takes place for a period of time, a once- infected cat can spread the disease to other, unvaccinated animals.
	Feline Leukemia (FeLV) Infection with the Feline Leukaemia Virus can result in a multitude of serious health problems for your cat – everything from cancerous conditions such as leukemia to a wide range of secondary infections caused by the destruction of the immune response system. After initial exposure to the virus, a cat may show no symptoms of its presence for months, if not years, yet all the while infect others. Testing is available to determine the FeLV status of your cat. If he or she has not yet been infected, but is likely to come in contact with cats that are, vaccination against this potentially fatal disease is highly recommended.
	Feline Chlamydiosis, included in FVRCP This bacterial disease is responsible for 15 to 20% of all feline respiratory diseases, and is mostly seen in multi-cat environments. It is extremely contagious, especially in young kittens and the infection rate is very high. It causes a local infection of the mucous membranes of the eyes but may also involve the lungs. Chlamydiosis can rarely be transmitted to humans by direct contact. Vaccination is the preferred method for prevention.

Other Vaccinations
After evaluating your cat’s particular situation and risk factors, your veterinarian may also recommend vaccination against other infectious diseases. These might include:

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