Hi Kelley,
A light pos indicates that a cat has been exposed to felv. It doesn't
necessarily mean she'd test pos the next time. She could either be in
the process of clearing the virus, in which case the next time she's
tested, she will test neg, or it might even be a false pos. It's like
everything else with this horrid disease, there are so very many factors
and differing opinions that there's not a clear cut answer to just about
anything to do with it. How old are these kittens? Do you have the
mother? Has she been tested? I'm assuming that the little girl was
tested in-house using the ELISA, when you retest, you could use the IFA
test for peace of mind of a more accurate result. Again there are
varying opinions about when it is best to retest. If it were me, I'd
wait 3 months. I realize that these are foster kittens and that waiting
3 months might hurt her chances of getting her forever home. Is there
someone helping you with vet costs with your rescue efforts? I would
test the rest of the kittens in her litter, and any other kittens that
have been kept with her to see if anyone else tests pos. Just because
one tests pos, doesn't mean the rest of the litter will.
You said "these are kittens, and they do get out". Did you mean "they
don't get out"? Even if the kittens actually have felv, your other cats
are probably fine. It has been the experience of most of the people on
this list that felv is not easily transmitted to healthy adult cats,
(and a few studies that I've read). A great many of us have mixed
neg/pos cats for months and years without having our negs turn up pos.
The biggest danger is to young or immune compromised, (old, or ill cats)
whose systems aren't up to fighting off the disease. If your other cats
are healthy, even on the off chance that they do test pos, there is a
good chance that they will clear the virus. I would feel safer about
your other cats had they been vaccinated however. I would have them
tested and if they are neg, have them vac asap. The rescue group that
has you fostering should have made sure your house cats were neg before
placing kittens with you, esp since their advice is to not vac against
it. That said, there is always the possibility that a cat may be
"carrying" the virus, (sequestered in the bone marrow), and test neg
until one sorry day when they become symptomatic and test pos. They
could also test pos and never become symptomatic. As I said before,
this is a maddening disease.
Take a deep breath. What's done is done. Imo, you've found the best
forum for support and information with this list. Please don't hesitate
to ask questions and by all means, keep us informed about what's going
on. Whatever you do, please, please, please, don't let anyone tell you
that asymptomatic cats that test positive should be immediately pts.
There are still many people, vets included, that just don't know enough
about this disease and think that is the answer. These kittens have
found their way to you. You must protect them from the ignorance of
well meaning people and whatever their status, allow them to enjoy their
life, for as long or short a time as that may be.
Thank you for being the kind of person that opens their heart and home
to animals in need,
Nina
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hello all,
I have been doing rescue in Texas for a little less than a year now.
I had a couple of litters come from the local animal control that were
too young to be tested.
I took one litter in to get them spayed/neutered/tested yesterday. I
only had one tested, and she tested "light positive."
These kittens have been MOSTLY separated from my other cats - they are
kittens, and they do get out. However, my other cats have not been
vaccinated for FELV- they have been vaccinated against rabies and
FVCRP. The rescue organization I have been working through does not
require FELV vaccination as we do not adopt cats to people who will
let them outside.
I am beside myself with worry for my other cats, and of course for the
kittens as well.
Can anyone help advise me? Starting with...what the heck is a light
positive?
Thanks,
Kelley
