I was told about the PCR test from my vet just about 2 weeks ago. I had never even heard of it, despite researching the other 2 tests extensively.
I just tried a Google search for PCR feLV test" and got lots of hits so try that for more info. Some of the articles on PCR are outdated, as this test is now currently touted as a fast, effective method of detection. We thought the IFA was the most accurate, but our vet recommended the PCR bc it detects actual viral DNA not just the presence of antigens or the body's response to the virus. It's recommended after a positive ELISA test. Yes, the vet said there can be false negatives on the ELISA due to recent exposure, and that it can take up to one month to show up on the test. On Oct 29, 2008, at 11:12 AM, MaryChristine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > please provide information about the PCR test you're talking about. > the last > i'd heard, there were none available that wree consistently accurate > and > reliable--they've been working on this for a long time and haven't > been able > to establish a test that's acceptibly accurate across many labs. > > i know that they HAVE developed one for FIV to determine if the > virus is > vaccine-induced or not, but as of a month or so ago, it still wasn't > commercially available, tho it's expected to be soon. > > as far as everything i've read, at this time, the IFA is still > considered > the confirmatory test for FeLV. i'd love to see anything newer. > > what has to remembered with FeLV is that, unlike FIV, the ELISA test > is for > ANTIGENS, not antibodies--so a cat can test negative merely because > the > exposure was too recent tos how up--so the negative isn't "false," > it just > was too early. likewise, false positives may be false positives from > all the > things inherent in the test, but they can also be true at that time: > the cat > has been EXPOSED to the virus. antigens are NOT an immune response, > however, > just an indiciation that the kitty has been closely exposed to the > virus. > > this is where the biggest misunderstandings arise: most adult cats > will > throw the virus off anywhere between 30-120 days--their immune > systems will > just knock it out. then a test will be negative because there are no > longer > antigens wandering around irritating them. but if you test too soon, > you'll > just get another positive result because the cat's body hasn't had the > chance to work the virus out. > > doing an ELISA and an IFA right away will probably give you the same > result > on both of them, because it's the EXPOSURE that's showing up. the > only real > way to know is to consider a positive result for what it is: an > indication > that kitty was in close contact with someone who had the virus. (we > don't > know for sure, as far as i have seen, that a cat on the edge of > throwing off > the virus itself can't still pass it on, perhaps at a subclinical > level?)--if you know when the last date the kitty could have been in > contact > with another cat, test if 90-120 later than that..... with the IFA > (or if > there really is a DNA/PCR test newly available, that one) > > and then make the decisions. > > MC > > > On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 11:36 AM, Saehwa Kang <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > >> The ELISA test takes a blood sample from the lower leg, and is >> inexpensive. It's not that accurate, as there are false positives and >> sometimes false negatives. We had 2 three month old kittens who >> became >> negative within 1 month, and one that became negative 3 months later. >> >> You can retest after about 2-3 months with the Elisa again. Better >> yet >> is the IFA test. It checks whether the felv has reached the bone >> marrow- the vet sends a blood sample to a lab and is a tad more >> expensive but much more accurate. >> >> However,the best alternative after a positice elisa test is the new >> PCR test. It's so new you won't see it in many google searches. It >> can >> detect even minute quanitites of the virus and is the most accurate >> test out there- also sent to the lab. Best after two consecutive >> positive ELISA tests. >> >> Your kitties can fight off the virus and change to negative though >> it's not guaranteed. They probably got it from their mother. Many >> kittens can and do fight it off which is why early testinf is often >> inaccurate. In order to do so, you'll need to provide a low stress >> environment, indoor only home to reduce exposure to germs, premium >> food mostly canned (wellness, innova evo, natures variety >> instinct,etc), clean the litterbox and dishes daily and have more >> than >> one box, vaccuum and keep them flea and worm free, as well as spend >> time playing with the kittens and giving them affection, toys, warm >> places to sleep. >> >> There are no guarantees but it is possible to go from positive to >> negative. Just takes dedication and having hope... >> >> And others will tell you a felv positive diagnosis is not a death >> sentence! >> There are plenty of people here who have healthy cats with felv that >> have had long lives. >> >> I don't know about financial assistance, but you should try and talk >> to your vet about payment options. The cheapest ELISA test I found >> ran >> about $25-30 here in LA. >> >> Also, you can do you best to change their positive status to negative >> in the next few months. Even if they don't, you can adopt them out >> when they are a bit older after you've tried or just try to adopt >> them >> out now and tell people they are positive for now but could change.. >> >> >> On Oct 28, 2008, at 7:51 PM, SALLY NORDSTROM <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> wrote: >> >>> I'm getting real confused about the available tests and their >>> accuracy. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? >>> >>> I had to file a bankruptcy and can't afford testing. Is there >>> someplace that can give me help? >>> >>> How hard is it going to be to place my rescued kittens in homes? >>> What resources should I be using? >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Felvtalk mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Felvtalk mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/ >> felvtalk_felineleukemia.org >> > > > > -- > Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors! > Maybe That'll Make The Difference.... > > MaryChristine > Special-Needs Coordinator, Purebred Cat Breed Rescue (www.purebredcats.org > ) > Member, SCAT (Special-Cat Action Team) > _______________________________________________ > Felvtalk mailing list > [email protected] > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list [email protected] http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
