Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV testing protocols
i did not try to bring in my ferals until they had accepted me. i have a "cat house" on the deck for them to sleep in andi put out food until they don't run and then i start holding food in my hand and letting them approach me. at first they snatch and run, but eventually they learn to trust and let me scratch their chin. from then on, they are mine. it usually takes about 6 - 8 months. then i bring them in and when they are at ease, we go to the vet. Beth Noren wrote: > Hi Georgetta, > Yup, I understand how bitey an unsocialized singleton can be! My arms > were SO scratched up from my first positive that lived in quarantine > from 6-12 weeks. Others here may have better references, but I found > one article that says that the time between infection and testing > positive is normally 2-8 weeks. If funds allowed, perhaps one snap > test when the litters are combined, and another prior to adoption? > May not be practical or affordable for a real rescue, I've just done > my private little rescues and kept more (10 total, 2 now deceased) > than I've managed to adopt out (7). I'll see what other references I > can find in the morning... > > Good night, > Beth N. > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV testing protocols
Georgetta, Here are more links that I could find on when to test, somewhat contradictory. Since the Elisa looks for antigens, not antibodies, you can test as young as you like without worrying about maternal antibodies interfering. But, since the virus needs some time to incubate (I'm seeing anywhere from 2-9 weeks mentioned) the earlier you test, the greater a risk you run of getting a false negative. Maybe decide based on risk factors, quarantining those from colonies with a history of positives, those from hoarders, the runts, and sickies as long as possible, and quickly socializing those born to indoor only cats in small number homes (oops litters, or the "I just wanted the kids to see the miracle of birth" babies)? Most cats are adopted out as negative on the basis of just one test, and most adopters don't retest, so there are probably a lot of positives slipping through already anyway. Beth http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Pages/FeLV_Web.pdf “Vaccination for FeLV does not affect test results since the tests are for viral antigens, not antibodies. Kittens can be tested at any age because maternal immunity does not interfere with testing.” http://www.cpvh.com/Articles/17.html “Diagnosis is made by clinical signs and a positive blood test. Testing is recommended for kittens at least 8-9 weeks of age, all stray cats, and ill cats. Because of the incubation period and also the cat’s ability to fight off the disease, it is recommended to perform two tests at least two months apart. A new kitten or stray cat could be incubating FeLV, and if tested too early in the disease, will receive a false negative result on the test.” http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/iyer/index.php “Viremia is usually evident 2-4 weeks after FeLV infection.” http://www.felineleukemia.org/felvhlth.html Chart for testing protocols which recommends final testing be done 90 days post exposure, if possible. Also gives different protocols based on known versus unknown exposure history. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV testing protocols
I had a single kitten with ringworm so bad that she even lost her whiskers and we called her PJ for Piranha Jane because all she did was bite bite bite bite ;) > Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:30:56 -0400 > From: maxgoodb...@gmail.com > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV testing protocols > > Hi Georgetta, > Yup, I understand how bitey an unsocialized singleton can be! My arms > were SO scratched up from my first positive that lived in quarantine > from 6-12 weeks. Others here may have better references, but I found > one article that says that the time between infection and testing > positive is normally 2-8 weeks. If funds allowed, perhaps one snap > test when the litters are combined, and another prior to adoption? > May not be practical or affordable for a real rescue, I've just done > my private little rescues and kept more (10 total, 2 now deceased) > than I've managed to adopt out (7). I'll see what other references I > can find in the morning... > > Good night, > Beth N. > > ___ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
Re: [Felvtalk] FeLV testing protocols
Hi Georgetta, Yup, I understand how bitey an unsocialized singleton can be! My arms were SO scratched up from my first positive that lived in quarantine from 6-12 weeks. Others here may have better references, but I found one article that says that the time between infection and testing positive is normally 2-8 weeks. If funds allowed, perhaps one snap test when the litters are combined, and another prior to adoption? May not be practical or affordable for a real rescue, I've just done my private little rescues and kept more (10 total, 2 now deceased) than I've managed to adopt out (7). I'll see what other references I can find in the morning... Good night, Beth N. ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
[Felvtalk] FeLV testing protocols
Dear Beth, Thanks for the information. Let me add some information to my previous post. I typically take kittens that are neonatal, usually under about 3 weeks of age. I am one of the few fosters in my group who will foster newborns. I usually have them for a minimum of 3 weeks before I would even think of combining litters. When I have single kittens, I feel it is important for them to develop social skills with peer group kittens - about the same age. I find they develop bad habits otherwise - biting and too rough play. Waiting to socialize singletons until they are fixed and tested at 8 weeks doesn't work well. Since they have been in my home 3 or more weeks when they would be tested, none of the kittens would have any recent exposure to any cats who might infect them with FeLV/FIV. All my litters are carefully quarantined upon arrival, even though it is a lot of work and I have many many litterboxes and food bowls to clean each day. It seems reasonable to me that if they are exposed BEFORE they come to me, in 3-4 weeks, wouldn't they tend to test positive if they had prior exposure to FeLV? What do all you experts think? Thanks again for any input. Georgetta (got one adopted today, but took in 2 starved 5 week olds to stablize for another foster yesterday so numbers are up, not down.) ___ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
