Is there more than one manufacturer of tests? If so is this a problem with all manufacturers?
Beth Dont Litter, Fix Your Critter! www.Furkids.org --- On Thu, 8/19/10, MaryChristine <[email protected]> wrote: From: MaryChristine <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] False positives with snap test? To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010, 8:08 PM i've been writing about this on the lists since may. there has been a huge increase in positive test results for both FIV and FeLV ever since the newer tests were introduced, all over the country. so many positives, in fact, that those of us who do this rescue thing all day, realized that it had to be a problem with the tests somehow. it became clear that the problem was the new tests, because also all over the country, cats retested with either the western blot or IFA were testing negative: all of them, not just the majority as would be expected. i actually only know of one cat who has tested positive on an IFA following a positive on the new test. as most of you know, i usually am adamant about NOT retesting too soon for FeLV, as the SNAP and IFA both test for exposure, not infection, so tests taken too close together will show the same result. however, with this pattern so clearly presenting itself, those of us following this are recommending IMMEDIATELY retesting any FeLV positive cats with the older, FIV/FeLV only tests. again, there's only been one report over a wide network of rescues and rescue vets where a positive on the new test has been confirmed. of course there will be others, because there ARE positive cats out there--but this test isn't the one to trust re: finding them. just heard about a vet today who has had false positives with the HW component, as well. is this confirmed? no--it's too new, and without a lot of talking amongst ourselves we wouldn't have seen the pattern; most individual vets aren't seeing it because they aren't the one being called daily to take all the newly diagnosed positives! try to get a hold of some of the old tests--i heard that last month, they were on back order (so vets are starting to rethink using the new ones) would be my completely biased suggestion. MC -- 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
