Do you test your cat for Leukimia/FIV or just vaccinate them against it?

savethekitty

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What do you do if you cat has leukimia or FIV and  you want to adopt another cat who is healthy? I understand that the vaccine for leukimia is not a guarantee that they will not catch it and there is no vaccine for FIV, so what do you do if the cat you want to adopt has FIV? 

Thanks
 

denice

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There is a vaccine for FIV but most people who really know cats including vets recommend against it.  The vaccine will cause a cat to test positive for FIV the rest of their lives.  That would mean a death sentence if they are picked up by animal control and end up in a high kill situation.

If two cats get along well an FIV positive cat shouldn't be an issue.  It is passed by way of a deep bite.

FeLV is a different story.  If I had a kitty that was FeLV positive I would probably only adopt another FeLV positive cat.  There are some rescues that kind of reach out to FeLV positive cats and put them up for adoption.
 
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savethekitty

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thank you for replying. 
I will take him for testing and if negative, i will vaccinate him. Hopefully he has nothing. :)
 
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savethekitty

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He is negative. Yay.

Microchiped and vaccinated for leukimia,

They say I have to bring him back for another shot in 3 weeks. Isn't that too much too soon?
 

denice

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With many vaccinations there is an initial series.  After that it's a booster normally every 3 years.  
 
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