Kitty AIDS (FIV)

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Fat Freddy - 31 Jan 2006 15:03 GMT

I wonder how many cat owners are getting the AIDS vaccine for their
cats?

From what I understand, it was developed here at the University of
California, Davis and has been used for several years in Australia, but
has not yet been widely accepted in the USA.

My vet wasn't giving it because he wanted to get more long term data,
but FIV is such an epidemic in this area that he changed his mind and
now offers the shots.

One of my cats recently contracted FIV and died. He was about four
years old, and even though he had been neutered young, he was very
territorial and a fighter. It was through fighting that he caught the
disease.

I had my other two cats tested and they were negative, so I got them
vaccinated. It's three shots over several weeks and cost about $60 for
the series.

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Dan M - 31 Jan 2006 16:39 GMT

> I wonder how many cat owners are getting the AIDS vaccine for their
> cats?

That's not something I plan on!

The reading I've done suggests that after a cat receives the FIV vaccine,
they will test positive on FIV tests. Likewise FIP vaccines.

Since local animal shelters test all incoming animals for FIV and FIP and
immediately destroy any animals who test positive, I'd be afraid to get
those vaccinations for my kitties.

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Lesley - 31 Jan 2006 17:02 GMT

> Since local animal shelters test all incoming animals for FIV and FIP and
> immediately destroy any animals who test positive, I'd be afraid to get
> those vaccinations for my kitties.

I've seen that mentioned on rpch+b and it's the commonest reason to not
vaccinate. I assume it might be okay if kitties were chipped as well
but then I am relying on the shelter to scan what if they don't

Some people argue if it's for an indoor cat then how can they end up at
a shelter? But I've seen cats get past me when I am watching out for
them. Both Fabulous Furballs have been locked out of the flat by
accident. Luckily we're on the first floor and whilst they certainly
enjoy dodging meomie (The speciality is when I've got loads of shopping
or I am not in a good mood and I open the door and both of them do a
synchronised jump out and head in seperate directions I am not going to
repeat what they get called when they do that!)

I'd think about it very carefully

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs

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Fuga :o) - 02 Feb 2006 04:04 GMT

The strain they are using in the FIV vaccination only protects against
specific strain of FIV from Florida and there are a few different strains
FIV out there so it could very well be that a vaccinated cat can still get
FIV with the vaccination (and of course you wouldn't know because by default
a vaccinated cat tests positive for FIV).
.

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jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt@sonic.net - 05 Feb 2006 23:31 GMT

> The reading I've done suggests that after a cat receives the FIV vaccine,
> they will test positive on FIV tests. Likewise FIP vaccines.
>
> Since local animal shelters test all incoming animals for FIV and FIP and
> immediately destroy any animals who test positive, I'd be afraid to get
> those vaccinations for my kitties.

Wow. I never thought of that. I haven't considered getting the FIV
vaccine for Smudge anyway, but now I certainly won't!

What about the FeLV vaccine? Does that work the same way? Would she
test positive for that, since I did get her vaccinated for it?

Joyce

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NMR - 05 Feb 2006 23:42 GMT

> > The reading I've done suggests that after a cat receives the FIV
> > vaccine,
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Joyce

That is the main reason you get your cat microchipped so they can contact
the vet and see what medical information is available. But about the
vaccination causing a positive reaction I am going to have to check that out
It does not sound right but I could be wrong but I will check it out

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Dan M - 06 Feb 2006 17:03 GMT

> What about the FeLV vaccine? Does that work the same way? Would she
> test positive for that, since I did get her vaccinated for it?
>
> Joyce

The 2 vaccines for which that is true are FIV and FIP. Either one will
cause the cat to test positive.

The concern with FeLV is fibrosarcoma (not sure of the spelling). Rabies
and FeLV vaccines are both known to have a significant risk of
injection-site cancers. Fortunately, it is also known that this is due to
the adjuvants - additives to the vaccine that are supposed to make the
vaccine more effective, or to help with related problems. A good number of
vets are now purchasing "PureVax" and similar brands of virus-only
vaccines, packaged without adjuvants.

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Phil P. - 07 Feb 2006 21:55 GMT

> > The reading I've done suggests that after a cat receives the FIV vaccine,
> > they will test positive on FIV tests. Likewise FIP vaccines.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> What about the FeLV vaccine? Does that work the same way? Would she
> test positive for that, since I did get her vaccinated for it?

No. The FeLV vaccine does not produce false-positive test results. The FeLV
test detects viral antigen.not antibodies.

The FIV test detects antibodies to FIV-- which will produce a false-positive
in FIV-vaccinated cats. Kittens less than 8 months can also test false
positive due to maternally-derived antibodies from FIV-vaccinated or
FIV-infected queens without being infected. The risks associated with the
FIV vaccine far outweigh the benefits.

There is no serologic test specific for FIP. An FCoV antibody titer cannot
distinguish benign FECV from FIP. The FIP vaccine is useless and may
actually make cats more susceptible to FIP.

Phil

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jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt@sonic.net - 07 Feb 2006 22:59 GMT

> The FIV test detects antibodies to FIV-- which will produce a false-
> positive in FIV-vaccinated cats.

I don't see why I would have a cat vaccinated for FIV, since it is very
hard to transmit, unless the cat is known to regularly get into fights
with potentially infected cats.

Joyce

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Helen Miles - 31 Jan 2006 17:15 GMT

> I wonder how many cat owners are getting the AIDS vaccine for their
> cats? ///

No way would I get it. Once the cat has the vaccine, they then test +ve
for FIV in FIV tests and there is no way to determine if they have had
the vaccine or whether they have FIV. I could effectively be signing a
death warrant for my cats if they were picked up by the RSPCA for some
reason. AFAIK, the vaccine is also not particularly effective.

Helen M

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Enfilade - 01 Feb 2006 21:51 GMT

> I wonder how many cat owners are getting the AIDS vaccine for their
> cats?

We are not. Ours never go outside, and are unlikely to get outside
because even if they get out the front door, we live in an apartment
complex with doors at each end of the hall. All four have been tested
negative for FIV, and the odds of them ever contacting it in here are
low.

--Fil

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