Question On Blood Testing?

[Ela]

As many of you know we have an FIV unit with up to 6 FIV cats at a time. Also as previously advised at the vets we use only once have we had  a  cat tested FIV+ and it was neg but even then the vet advised us that the test was inconclusive and they thought the cat was neg, which Glasgow confirmed after lengthy tests. It was something to do with the antibodies in the blood. Thankfully the cat was taken to our vets and not another because had it been taken to a certain vet on our town it would not have stood a chance. We don't get all cats tested but we always test strays that come in as unneutered toms and any others we or the vets thinks it may be a good idea.
We only ever home FIV cats as indoor only, Although I appreciate it is not as easy to get as some people may think, we home as indoor only for the FIV cats sake, as  they have FIV they more easily pick up any viruses that are around as their immune system is not 100%, also they so not respond to treatment as quickly as ‘normal’  cats. They are very prone to mouth problems and many get polyps in the ears. For that reason we pay for any FIV related problems if necessary for life once homed.

I am pleased to say that since there has been FeLV injections available we hear of FeLV + cats only very occasionally.

[Desley (booktigger)]

i have read that before, and it is a really good article. I personally dont test as standard, and mine do have outdoor access, so are probably coming into contact with a lot of things anyway.

[MBll]

   < dawn

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

I don't get spots but if you have that problem when you eat them, maybe that's more reason to send them to me   

[MBll]

choccies make you go all spotty ...ill send you the wrappers so you can sniff them instead ...hows that grap ya lol

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

I do have a copy of it if you would like me to send it to you, but you do need to ask nicely and also send me lots of choccie in the post   

[MBll]

interesting ma dear.......is this article available ?

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

Just speaking the truth ma dear 

Seriously though, I had an indepth chat with Maureen about this as it's one subject that really gets my back up when it concerns the feral population and people's attitudes towards them.  She really does know her stuff and she's done a lot of research into FIV/FeLV and how it's transmitted etc etc, I sent the article to quite a few rescues basically to try and get them to understand that a cat with FIV doesn't automatically give them a death sentence or warrant them being pts.  I even sent it to Sean as his views on the blood testing is that, the inhouse test is perfectly reliable which we all know it isn't     A lot of peeps, vets included need educating and maybe then, the feral/stray population would be safe regardless of their FIV status.

[MBll]

Oi now whos been cheeky now pmsl 

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

Fair enough oh wise one lol 

   Stop being so bloody cheeky 

I think too much reading can haddle your brain, and you being scottish an all, that could cause problems   

[MBll]

Fair enough oh wise one lol   I was abit iffy on should i shouldnt i,   probably  to much reading posts on the get it done folk.     

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

If I tested every cat that came through my door, I wouldn't have any money to pay for food, vet bills etc.  I think testing is a total waste of money and is better spent on things that are needed......that is me speaking as a rescue, not as an average owner of 2 moggies    If I was concerned about a cats health or the cat was battle scarred etc, then I would test but again, that's me speaking from a rescue point of view.   As an average owner, I'm not sure how I'd go about things or whether I'd do it differently    Ian once said to me, in my situation he wouldn't test, as at the time mine were indoor/outdoor and at any time, they could have been in contact with something.  I'm having Smokie tested this week sometime, and she's also having a full blood profile done.......this is mainly because of where she came from and because of the problems with her babies.

[MBll]

Ok think i understand that... was wondring if/when a new cat comes into the house.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

I've actually spoke to Maureen Hutchinson and I posted her article on CC a couple of years ago now, she talks a lot of sense and I would go along with everything she says.  My vet doesn't believe in blood testing unless needed, as CC has pointed out, what difference is it really going to make to the existing cats in the household if they've been living together for however long.  The only time I get mine tested is if there is obviously something wrong or they are continuously coming down with something.   Luckily up to now, they've all be clear but unless you get every cat tested, I think a few surprises would be in store and theoretically, before they vaccinate against FeLV, they should be tested yearly beforehand because there is no point in vaccinating if they already have it.

[ccmacey]

I think it could mean two things-

1 No point in paying for an in house test when they can be wrong, I mean 42% is a staggering amount.

2 If your cat has FIV/ FILV what difference does it make, its not going to lessen the life of the cat anymore than a cat without the virus.  It also shows the stats of the virus being passed on which is pretty low, 1%- 2%.

So I think the only point in having a cat tested is if your going to treat the cat.

I think if any of us found out that we had a positive cat it would make no difference as we would still keep them as they have already been living in our homes with our other cats.

[MBll]

Mmmm cc i just im bit confused on that  link as it says not to waste ya money getting your cat tested?

[ccmacey]

Have seen that article before but its good to post things like that so people can be in the know.

I'm sure lots of people dread the though of their cats becoming infected with FIV/ FILV and think it automatically means they will have to be put to sleep or they will suffer from a horrid illness- THIS IS NOT THE CASE!

After I read the article only then did I realise I was VERY missinformed and had little knowledge of what FIV/ FILV actually did, how its passed on etc.

Please read its what every cat owner needs to know.

[MBll]

I read this on a cat site  re Blood Testing     http://www.catactiontrust.org.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=21&MMN_position=39:39   what do you think about it?