What are the FeLV and FIV Tests?

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is one of the most common infectious diseases in cats. Infection rates are significantly higher in cats that are ill or otherwise at high risk, such as young kittens. Fortunately, the prevalence of FeLV in cats has decreased significantly in the past 25 years since the development of an effective vaccine and accurate testing procedures. FeLV adversely affects a cat's body in many ways. It is the most common cause of cancer in cats, may cause various blood disorders, and may lead to a state of immune deficiency that hinders a cat's ability to protect itself against other infections. Because of this, common bacteria infections, viruses, protozoa, and fungi that usually do not affect healthy cats can cause severe illness in FeLV-infected cats. These secondary infections are responsible for many of the diseases associated with FeLV. Although there are some therapies that have been shown to decrease the amount of FeLV in the bloodstream of affected cats, these therapies may have significant side effects and may not be effective in all cases.  Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for FeLV.  Veterinarians treating and managing FeLV-positive cats showing signs of disease usually treat specific problems, such as prescribing antibiotics for secondary infections or performing blood transfusions for severe anemia. If your kitten tests positive for this disease, we will discuss expectations moving forward, but will not continue with vaccinations.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), also referred to as feline AIDS virus, is one of the most common and consequential infections diseases in cats around the world. In infected cats, FIV attacks the immune system, leaving the cat vulnerable to many other infections. Although cats infected with FIV may appear normal for years, they eventually suffer from immune deficiency, which allows normally harmless bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi found in the everyday environment to potentially cause severe illnesses. There is no cure for FIV.  If your kitten tests positive for FIV, we will discuss expectations moving forward.

If Your Kitten Has a Negative FeLV and FIV Test,

Your Kitten Will Be Provided Booster Shots for the Following Vaccinations:

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• Rhinotracheitis: This disease is triggered by the feline herpes virus and if left untreated, it causes starvation, dehydration, and eventually death.

• Calicivirus: Kittens are particularly susceptible to this disease of the respiratory system which can also cause mouth ulcers and develop into pneumonia if left untreated.

• Panleukopenia: Also known as feline distemper or parvovirus, panleuokopenia affects nearly all cats. It develops extremely fast and can kill a kitten within 12 hours upon contraction without immediate medical intervention.

The three-in-one combination vaccine known as 1-HCP or FVRCP, immunizes kittens against these illnesses. It's administered as a shot to kittens beginning at 6 weeks old and repeated at 9 and 12 weeks old.  Kittens have passive immunity from antibody absorption from their mother through the intestine for 24-48 hours after birth.  This protects them against the diseases during the first few weeks of life but they do need to build longer-lasting active immunity in order to remain protected against these diseases.  Because it is impossible to predict when a kitten will lose its short-term immunity, a series of vaccines spaced at regular intervals boost the cat's chances of developing active immunity. This aim is to administer vaccines at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks during the critical window after the kitten loses maternal immunity before exposure to infectious disease.