How long for FIV/FeLV results?

sarahp

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I'm getting our foster boy tested for FIV/FeLV tomorrow. Does anyone know how long it takes to get results back?
 

white cat lover

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Here they can tell me in 15 minutes. Depends on the test, though, I believe.
 
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sarahp

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I thought it was pretty quick but I just had someone who's interested in adopting Leo say that her last kitty had to be euthanised because of FIV and it took them weeks to get the test results back!
 

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We just had that done with our tiny kitten on Wednesday, and it took 10 or 15 minutes..I can't remember which. And the the worm test took 20 minutes.

Or maybe I have that backwards.
I just remember it didn't take very long, fortunately! I can't imagine going home and having to wait it out.
 

cloud_shade

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Originally Posted by sarahp

I thought it was pretty quick but I just had someone who's interested in adopting Leo say that her last kitty had to be euthanised because of FIV and it took them weeks to get the test results back!
There are a couple of different FIV tests. The SNAP test is done at the vet's office and only takes a few minutes. If the cat is having other bloodwork done, an ELISA test may be done by the lab instead to save the owner money, and then it may take a day or two.

If the test is positive, another test is done to confirm the results. The second test is called the Western Blot. It has to be sent out for analysis so it will take longer to get the results, typically 5 to 7 days. If the cat is under 6 months, they should be retested at 6 months as the test is not as accurate before that age.

http://www.sheltermedicine.com/porta...html#diagnosis
http://www.antechdiagnostics.com/cli...5Fp53%2D54.htm

Also, FIV is not necessarily a death sentence like FeLV. Cats with FIV can live normal healthy lives for many years before they become ill. It is not as contagious as it was once believed to be. It is usually passed by cats fighting and biting each other, rather than casual contact (i.e. sharing food bowls, etc.).
 
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sarahp

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So it turns out that it took this lady's kitty a while because the initial test was positive, so they did additional testing to confirm he did have it
Apparently he was perfectly fine, then just went downhill super fast - this was in January and was eating tinned food which turned out to be on the recall list
So in hindsight, it's very possible that majorly contributed to his rapid decline (we're talking weeks between healthy and so ill he needed euthanising). Poor thing...

Do you think it's safe to let our foster kitty play with our girls? He's not aggressive, and was found outdoors, but didn't have any wounds or scars, so I don't think he's been in any fights or anything like that. They seem to desperately want to play together, and I'd probably sleep better if he was out of the bedroom socialising rather than stuck in the spare room meowing and scratching at the door... I don't want to put our girls at risk though.
 

momofmany

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Originally Posted by cloud_shade

There are a couple of different FIV tests. The SNAP test is done at the vet's office and only takes a few minutes. If the cat is having other bloodwork done, an ELISA test may be done by the lab instead to save the owner money, and then it may take a day or two.
Actually the SNAP test is the Elisa test. The one that they send out to a lab, at least for FeLV is called an IFA test. The last time I had those run, it took nearly a week for those results. I've watched the Elisa test and it actually takes 10 minutes. You are never happier when those dreaded dots don't appear.
 

jane_vernon

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If his test results are all clear, then I would let him out with your girls fully supervised for a while.

If he doesn't seem to be agressive towards them, then I don't see a problem with him having the company!

Good luck!
 

white cat lover

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I would NOT let him play with your girls until he has tested FeLV-. This is why:

These girls tested FeLV+. They don't look sick. Never were in a fight. It is entirely possible that Leo was born FeLV+ & is not showing any signs. I just would not chance it. I've seen way too many cats who are FeLV+ who has no signs of being in fights, look purr-fectly healthy. Look at Katie's cats....they all look purr-fectly healthy!
 
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sarahp

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

I would NOT let him play with your girls until he has tested FeLV-. This is why:

These girls tested FeLV+. They don't look sick. Never were in a fight. It is entirely possible that Leo was born FeLV+ & is not showing any signs. I just would not chance it. I've seen way too many cats who are FeLV+ who has no signs of being in fights, look purr-fectly healthy. Look at Katie's cats....they all look purr-fectly healthy!
Thanks for that. You are absolutely right. Unfortunately Stumpy had other plans and raced in when I was trying to go in. I figured if closely supervised it was very unlikely they'd be able to share germs.

Leo thought Stumpy was the bees knees and snuggled right up to her. Stumpy just checked him out, explored the room, then sat up in the window - her favourite spot and why she so desperately wanted to be in that room


They'll stay separated now until he gets tested though.
 

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The vet we went to for Molly's spay doesn't have the equipment at the vet clinic itself, so when we had Molly tested for FIV/FeLV, they had to send the sample away to Calgary, and I got the results over the phone about a week later (100% negative!)
 

katiemae1277

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

I would NOT let him play with your girls until he has tested FeLV-. This is why:

These girls tested FeLV+. They don't look sick. Never were in a fight. It is entirely possible that Leo was born FeLV+ & is not showing any signs. I just would not chance it. I've seen way too many cats who are FeLV+ who has no signs of being in fights, look purr-fectly healthy. Look at Katie's cats....they all look purr-fectly healthy!
those poor girls! I wish I lived closer to you! I would've taken them in a heartbeat


but yeah, I wouldn't let them interact until the FeLV test comes back negative, even if Leo turns out FIV positive, he can safely interact with negatives, it is very hard to pass FIV, just like HIV, but FeLV is way too easy to pass
 
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