Low Positive FIV Antibodies

I had Josie tested for the combo FIV/FeLV today because the shelter I adopted her from can't afford to run those tests, so I took care of that today, she came back negative for Leukemia thank goodness, but she has a low positive result for FIV, which my vet told me is most likely because her mother had it and Josie has gotten those antibodies from her and so she'll need to be checked again in September to see if there is any change. He said it's uncommon for kittens to get this from their mother and she's probably fine. So I'm asking, was he just trying to keep me calm or is this really true? I'd like to hear from anyone who has experience. Josie is about 4 months old now and I'll be having her checked again at 6 months old. I would also just like to note that I'm not considering giving her up regardless of the outcome of the September test.

Your kitten has a very good chance of retesting negative. I would let the shelter know however so they can inform other owners.

IMO it is irresponsible of the shelter to claim they don't have enough $ to test their cats, ridiculous really. They can do in house snap tests for virtually nothing and they can always tack the charge (plus a little extra) on to the adoption fee. They are crazy if they don't think adopters will pay a few dollars extra for the peace of mind of a negative result. I've never heard of a shelter not testing for fiv/felv.

Josie was the only cat from that litter that was ever found, it's unlikely she'd have given it to another cat there.

They are a small shelter, technically they are animal control for the city they are in, and not a "real" shelter, even though they re-home most of the city's abandoned animals. I was surprised though that they didn't test for that anyway.  Most of the pet owners around here I know haven't even heard of FIV/FeLV they probably wouldn't even think to ask.  The only reason I found out about it was because one of the shelters I was looking in had signs that said the cats were tested for FIV/FeLV and I asked what those were.

I really have my fingers crossed she'll test negative when we retest. Keep good vibes her way.

Well, even if she does have FIV, it's unlikely she would have given it to any other cat. FIV is not passed with casual contact. It is transferred primarily through mating and deep bite wounds - serious fighting. Thus intact roaming cats are most at risk.

I have an FIV+ cat living inside-only with 8 other non-FIV+ cats. He's lived with us for four years. No other cats have contracted it.

Hopefully all they saw was antibodies from mum.

If they are animal control contracted by the town or county and they house animals then they are a real shelter and I stand by what I said, it is not responsible of them not to test. They could easily tack the small cost on to the adoption fee.

I'm not saying I disagree with you, that's just what they told me.