FeLv testing

[OLM Catnip Cottage]

We are getting down to the last cats to test - the fractious, difficult ones. Chloe tested positive this morning for Feline Leukemia.

 

[Venita]

Oh no Maureen. ((((Chloe))))

 

[Kimber and Bunny GA]

I'm so sorry!!!

HUGS....Kitty, although he had to be separated from the other cats, did really well for Two Years with FelV. He was not sick until the end...

 

[Cheryl and Winnie]

Remember, the test is only 80% accurate, and many kitties who carry it never get sick or live a very long happy life before they do.

Have you ever been to this website Maureen? the owner was active on the lymphoma board and I thought very knowledgeable about Felv pos. kitties :

http://felvpositivefelines.org/index.shtml

I hope Chole is one of the lucky ones .

(( Maureen ))

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I am curious where you found the 80% accuracy number. Here is the link to Idexx's Snap Test accuracy page.
http://www.idexx.com/view/xhtml/en_us/s ... b=Accuracy

Remember, the test is only 80% accurate, and many kitties who carry it never get sick or live a very long happy life before they do.

Have you ever been to this website Maureen? the owner was active on the lymphoma board and I thought very knowledgeable about Felv pos. kitties :

http://felvpositivefelines.org/index.shtml

I hope Chole is one of the lucky ones .

(( Maureen ))

 

[Cheryl and Winnie]

I am curious where you found the 80% accuracy number.

Hi larry. I got that number from alley cat allies. I linked a post to a paper on the old board. couldn't google it out( i still miss using the old board search function , so I went back to alley cat allies looking for the paper . They now state this:

Moreover, FeLV tests can provide inconclusive results:

* A cat in the initial stage of FeLV infection may test negative.
* A cat exposed to FeLV may test positive during the transient phase of the infection and then test negative if the virus is overcome.
* Tests are not 100% accurate and can yield false positive results.

They have changed their numbers. My own vet quoted me the same statistic many years ago when I took in a stray. I am guessing tests have improved over the years ! A very good thing. I know the local rescue always tests a second time if a cat is positive. I'm glad they do for the above reasons. If the cat is healthy, but confirmed positive, they will adopt it out as an only cat or to a home with another confirmed "+" cat.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. It also gave me the chance to do some reading and find a great new write ups on their web site with links to other resources.

Here is their "overview page" on feLv and FIV:
http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=456

Felv:
http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=458

they reference and link the feline practitioners web site along with other nice resources.

Thanks again larry for prompting me to get updated.

Maureen -- I hope this information is able to help you a bit with the difficult situation at your sanctuary.
Best to you and your kitties.

ed: typo