FIV/FELV Questions

I have a friend who just had to put to sleep 2 very sick kittens who tested positive for both FIV/LEUK, their temperatures wouldn't even register on the vets thermometer.  She has 3 other cats, she tested 2 of them last week prior to their spay/neuter surgeries and they were negative.  The vet is recommending retesting everyone in about 6 weeks.  Is that adequate time to test or should she wait longer?  I work for the vet but I have been out of the Vet loop for a few years as I worked as a groomer so I'm not brushed up on it as I should be (going to change that however).  What does she need to do as far as cleaning her house?  I think she had these kittens for about a month and everyone was exposed to them.  I know her 3rd cat tested negative a few months ago before they adopted her.

Well, basically as far as cleaning her house, that's not necessary. These viruses don't last long at all outside the cat. No worries there.

Transfer of FIV is via deep biting, which is pretty doubtful.

Transfer of FELV is another story, and technically speaking can be contracted via food/water dishes, mutual grooming, etc.

HOWEVER, more and more vets are stating that it is highly unlikely to transfer this way, and would at least need to be quite long term for this to be anything more than a small chance.

The younger the kitten, the more chance of them getting FELV this way.

If any do test positive after 6 weeks, it doesn't mean their immune systems will not overcome this, and fight it off. Many more do fight it off than actually come down with the lifelong virus.

This can take months so it is recommended to retest any positive kids in 6 months, to be sure of an accurate diagnosis.

When I said transfer of FIV is doubtful, I meant because they are kittens and not fighting adults, unfixed males who fight to kill are the major spreaders.

Yet another reason to fix all cats!

(I'm constantly preaching the importance of s/n

Thank you for the information.  I thought that was the case, but again I'm a bit rusty just been back working for the vet for about a month now so I need to brush up.  I will pass the information along to her.  I know she was devastated by losing the 2 kittens, and is extremely worried about the rest of her kitties.  I too am a big pusher of s/n way too many kitties out there.

Studies seem to suggest that healthy adult cats have a natural immunity to FeLV. Kittens are very likely to get it if exposed, but healthy cats over 18 months old will almost always fight it off (one study shows the immunity starts to build at age 4 months, and tops out at 18 months. In between those ages they would have some immunity but not as much as if they were older). If any have autoimmune disorders I imagine that would affect their ability to fight it, but otherwise I would not expect any of her cats to actually contract FeLV from casual (non-sexual, non-biting) exposure.


So sorry for her loss . It's never easy even when you know they wouldn't have survived.

If we are talking about kittens (the ones with FELV/FIV that she lost) who are young, they very likely got it from their momma.

It's pretty hard for kittens to go out and get these illnesses in their short little lives.

The ones who were exposed that she is worried about, how old are they?

catwoman707 said:

 
If we are talking about kittens (the ones with FELV/FIV that she lost) who are young, they very likely got it from their momma.

It's pretty hard for kittens to go out and get these illnesses in their short little lives.

The ones who were exposed that she is worried about, how old are they?

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The are about 6 months old, her other one is about 9 or 10 months old.

Oh I am sorry. Were they rescue babies? I believe it is also possible they had the antibodies from their mum (depending on age), but weren't actively infected, and thus not shedding the viruses.