+FeLV for cats who had shots???

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Chris - 10 Dec 2003 19:40 GMT

I was told that cats who get immunized for this always test positive later
on? I have not read this but it does seem to make sense...any idea if
accurate???

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Joe Pitt - 10 Dec 2003 20:28 GMT

That is what I understand also. That makes it imperative you have an
unloosable ID on your cat - microchip. If an animal control agency or rescue
group end up with it they will most likely put it down. My group has a chip
reader and we scan cats and dogs turned into us. We figure most are dumped,
but accidents do happen. Mine are all chipped just in case someone breaks
into my house and leave a door or window open and they start exploring the
new territory.

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> I was told that cats who get immunized for this always test positive later
> on? I have not read this but it does seem to make sense...any idea if
> accurate???

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Yngver - 10 Dec 2003 21:19 GMT

>I was told that cats who get immunized for this always test positive later
>on? I have not read this but it does seem to make sense...any idea if
>accurate???

This is true for FIV but not for FeLV. FeLV tests detect antigens, not
antibodies; therefore FeLV vaccination will not produce a postive FeLV test
unless the cat was already infected prior to being vaccinated.

With the new FIV vaccine, however, if a cat is vaccinated, it will then test
positive on an FIV test.

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Cheryl - 10 Dec 2003 23:31 GMT

>>I was told that cats who get immunized for this always test positive
>>later on? I have not read this but it does seem to make sense...any
>>idea if accurate???
>
> This is true for FIV but not for FeLV. FeLV tests detect antigens, not
> antibodies;

This is my understanding, too. After Shamrock was retested and vaccinated,
I had him tested again 6 mo later to make sure he hadn't turned positive
being in close proximity of Shadow. He tested neg. The new vet doesn't
believe in doing tests regularly when the cat is vaccinated, but I suspect
I'll ask her for one from time to time. He hasn't been retested since the
Spring, and Bonnie is vaccinated as well. Her next vet appt I'll probably
have her retested (Springtime, here's hoping!)

I am probably doing the wrong thing letting them all together but it seems
it would be a cruel life to isolate Shadow for the rest of his (not just
for him, but the others. Shamrock genuinely enjoys Shadow's company). I
just plan to make sure they eat good quality food and get FVRCP vaccines
however often the vet feels they should be given. (not Shadow, he's on a
no-vaccine order since he had a bad reaction last Spring, and being an
older kitty and vaccinated throughout his life, everything I've read
indicate he's probably still covered.)

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Cheryl

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Alison - 11 Dec 2003 00:14 GMT

Hi ,
Does the same thing happen with rabies vaccinations ?
Alison

> >I was told that cats who get immunized for this always test positive later
> >on? I have not read this but it does seem to make sense...any idea if
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> With the new FIV vaccine, however, if a cat is vaccinated, it will then test
> positive on an FIV test.

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Nadine - 11 Dec 2003 00:37 GMT

>From: alison@allofustoo.fsnet.co.uk (Alison)
>Hi ,

> Does the same thing happen with rabies
>vaccinations ?

No, only with the FIV vacc. I don't even want to go into how they test
for Rabies.

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Laura R. - 11 Dec 2003 06:31 GMT

circa Thu, 11 Dec 2003 00:14:15 -0000, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
Alison (alison@allofustoo.fsnet.co.uk) said,

> Hi ,
> Does the same thing happen with rabies vaccinations ?

Rabies testing requires the animal to be killed. No, the same thing
does not happen.

Laura

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Laura R. - 11 Dec 2003 06:30 GMT

circa Wed, 10 Dec 2003 19:40:38 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
Chris (tisme@mindspring.com) said,

> I was told that cats who get immunized for this always test positive later
> on? I have not read this but it does seem to make sense...any idea if
> accurate???

Inaccurate. I just had Jacob tested for FeLV because I was concerned
about one of his blood values (CRF cat), and he was negative. He has
been vaccinated for FeLV in the past, although not for several years
now.

Laura

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Phil P. - 11 Dec 2003 11:19 GMT

> I was told that cats who get immunized for this always test positive later
> on? I have not read this but it does seem to make sense...any idea if
> accurate???

No, its not accurate. We'd be in *big* trouble if it was! I hope your vet
didn't tell you that!

The FeLV-ELISA and IFA assays detect the viral antigen --p27-- that's
released from the cells as the virus replicates. FeLV or other vaccines
don't affect the test results because the tests detect the *actual viral
antigens* or infectious virus - *not antibodies* to FeLV or other antigens.

Also, *unlike* commercial FIV tests passive transfer of maternal immunity to
FeLV doesn't affect the test results.

HTH,

Phil

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