FIV and testing positive

jen

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If a cat is vaccinated for FIV (or FeLV) and then tested for that disease, say if they were vaccinated then ran away and was found by someone who took them in to be tested, would the test come out positive? Don't they vaccinate by injecting some of the disease into the cat? Is that how vaccinations work?

If this is the case the how long would this cat come up positive for the disease and how can it be determined if the cat actually has it or was really just vaccinated for it?

Thanks.
 

jennyr

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As I understand it, that is one of the problems with vaccinating for FIV, plus the fact that the vaccine is not very effective - statistics vary. But now there are dead vaccines and live ones - I am not sure if there is a difference in the test results.
 

petnurse2265

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If vaccinated for FIV, they will test positive on the standard snap test, and need to be verified positive with the western blot test.

Felv does not cause a positive on the snap tests.
 
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jen

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Thank you very much. It is a co-worker of mine who found "Buster" already neutered and positive for FIV so either he was dumped when the owners found out he had the disease, or he was just neutered and vaccinated when he got lost. He is an extremely healthy, big-boned little guy otherwise. They wanted to keep him at first but are afraid their one other cat might get it. Only problen is that they have sniffed each other many many times through the screen and her cat is not vaccinated, so I guess her cat could have probably caught it by now.

2 more questions regarding this:

1. What is the likelyhood of an unvaccinated cat catching FIV from a stray by sniffing each other through the screen multiple times and the FIV cat being allowed in the living room at night (seperate from the unvaccinated cat) and then put in the garage during the day so the unvac'd cat can go in that room? Using seperate litterboxes and food dishes and toys of course. Is she being cautious enough or after all that is it likely her cat might have it by now?

2. About the original question, how long would a cat test positive after being vaccinated? Until it the vaccination wears off or only for a certain amount of time?

Thanks again.
 

petnurse2265

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Dozen2luv, Felv not not cause them to test positive.

Jen, FIV is transmitted only through bite wounds so if the cat if not biting anyone you are fine. As far as testing positive the do forever, as far as I know after the FIV vaccine. I would recomend doing the wetsern blot test (through your vet) to be sure.
 
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jen

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Ok she said she will take her cat back to the vet for that test. Any chance it may be called something different out here in Ohio?

So is it possible for the two cats to live together with out spreading the disease to the healthy one? If she wants to keep both of them, should she vaccinate her cat or not worry about it? Will it ONLY spread through biting? They so far are completely relaxed and happy around each other. Does FIV also spread through litter box use and grooming each other too?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure out the best option here and to understand FIV a little better.
 

elizwithcat

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Originally Posted by Dozen2luv

Does that mean my kittens that were vacinated for leukemia will show a positive for leukemia?

Dozen2Luv
No, Felv doesn't work that way, only FIV. My kitten has been vaccinated for Felv by the breeder and he didn't show up positive when I tested him, so Felv vaccine is fine. It's the FIV vaccine that can lead to the false positive results.
 

elizwithcat

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Originally Posted by Jen

Ok she said she will take her cat back to the vet for that test. Any chance it may be called something different out here in Ohio?

So is it possible for the two cats to live together with out spreading the disease to the healthy one? If she wants to keep both of them, should she vaccinate her cat or not worry about it? Will it ONLY spread through biting? They so far are completely relaxed and happy around each other. Does FIV also spread through litter box use and grooming each other too?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure out the best option here and to understand FIV a little better.
What does her vet say about it? I know from reading FIV is less dangerous and infections than Felv, but I imagine the vet might still want to vaccinate the second cat considering he will be living with FIV cat. Unfortunately, after vaccination, the second cat will also test false positive for FIV.
 
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jen

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I don't think the vet said anything about it, just tested the cat and said well you never know if it is a false positive or not and that was it. I don't think he suggested anything else to do.

She didn't even think having both of them together was an option. I just suggested that instead of having him euthanized or given away to someone who might not be a good home and then she would lose track of this great cat, that she vaccinate hers and keep them both togther. Then I was wondering if my thinking was right or not and that led to all my questions.

Thanks for all your replies.
 

elizwithcat

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Originally Posted by Jen

I don't think the vet said anything about it, just tested the cat and said well you never know if it is a false positive or not and that was it. I don't think he suggested anything else to do.

She didn't even think having both of them together was an option. I just suggested that instead of having him euthanized or given away to someone who might not be a good home and then she would lose track of this great cat, that she vaccinate hers and keep them both togther. Then I was wondering if my thinking was right or not and that led to all my questions.

Thanks for all your replies.
Here is some info for you.
"In 2002, the first vaccine against FIV (Fel-O-Vax FIVÂ[emoji]174[/emoji], Fort Dodge) became available in the United States. This vaccine may prove helpful to protect high-risk groups of cats. However, the vaccine introduces a testing dilemma. Current FIV antibody tests cannot distinguish between antibodies from vaccination and antibodies from disease. Newer testing methodologies are in development to devise tests based on the virus itself, so eventually it will may be possible to tell a vaccinated cat from an infected cat."
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/FIV.html
It's not very easy to transmit, because the virus dies easily, so it's mainly transmitted trough cat fights -bite wounds.
Your freind should discuss with her vet regarding vaccinating her second cat.
I don't know how effective the vaccine is, and also her cat will test positive after being vaccinated, so it should be discussed with her vet on wether to do it or not.
 

booktigger

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There was a study done in Scotland with FIV+ and - cats homed together. Out of 100 cats, only 1 or 2 contracted it, and neither of them died from it. They can lead long healthy lives, so I would give him a chance - he would have to be indoor only though, as his immune system can't cope with things as well as a 'normal' cat, and they shouldnt be given raw meat due to their immune system.
 

semiferal

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Originally Posted by Jen

1. What is the likelyhood of an unvaccinated cat catching FIV from a stray by sniffing each other through the screen multiple times and the FIV cat being allowed in the living room at night (seperate from the unvaccinated cat) and then put in the garage during the day so the unvac'd cat can go in that room? Using seperate litterboxes and food dishes and toys of course. Is she being cautious enough or after all that is it likely her cat might have it by now?

2. About the original question, how long would a cat test positive after being vaccinated? Until it the vaccination wears off or only for a certain amount of time?
1. Absolutely zero. The virus is transmitted exclusively from saliva to blood. So unless they have the opportunity and the tendency to bite the snot out of each other, the virus will not be transmitted.

2. Forever. There is, as of yet, absolutely no way to distinguish a cat who is vaccinated for FIV from one who actually has the virus. The only blood tests in existence test for the presence of antibodies and not for the actual virus.
 
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