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From what I understand, there are three levels of infection:
transient viremia
latent viremia
and persistent viremia
Usually, there is a 90 day window from when a cat is exposed to the virus;
in that time frame three things may happen:
the cat may successfully fight off the infection;
the cat may fight off infection to the extent that there is no virus
present in blood or saliva, but the virus may have reached an organ or bone
marrow and be sequestered there;
the cat may fail to fight off the infection and the virus will spread
throughout the bloodstream and saliva.
Cats who are infected and completely fight off the virus will test negative
on all the tests and can be considered negative. From what I have read, there is
a 25% chance of this occurring.
Cats who are infected and partially fight off the virus may give discordant
test results--a negative IFA and consistently positive ELISA or PCR. This means
that while there is no active infection, the cat can possibly become symptomatic
or shed virus and be contagious. The virus may also activate during times of
stress and the latent infection could turn into persistent infection. Everything
I have read about discordant results says that these cats should be treated as
positive.
Cats who are persistent viremia should be monitored for symptoms and will
test positive on any test, including the confirming IFA. They are definitely
positive and have little to no chance of reverting.
So, it sounds like Pilgrim has not reached the persistent viremia stage. A
second ELISA will tell you whether or not Pilgrim has successfully fought the
virus off completely. I would wait a few weeks to a couple of months before
retesting and I would perform the ELISA first--if it's negative, the infection
was likely transient and Pilgrim is probably fine. If it's positive, then retest
on the IFA. If that is still negative, then you should probably treat it as
discordant and assume that the cat is POSITIVE because he may be able to give
the disease to other cats and may become actively symptomatic down the line. I
think his prognosis is generally better, however. If the IFA is positive this
time around, then he's positive.
In the meantime, the advice to boost his immune system is a good one since
it's possible he's still in the process of fighting off the virus--immune
boosting medication and supplements may help him to do this. I think a new
veterinarian is in order and if you can afford it, a trip to a homeopathic vet
might help as well--s/he can recommend immune boosting supplements and dosages
for your particular cat.
Melissa and the foster FeLV positives in NJ
In a message dated 1/6/2005 2:08:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Rhonda, |
- Pilgrim Jill Poe
- Meligar
