FeLV/FIV Helpful Guidelines

Kittens
Diagnosing Infection
FIV
diagnostic algorithm
FeLV
diagnostic algorithm
Adult Cats (>6 months of age)
All Cats
History/Physical Exam
History/Physical Exam
History/Physical Exam
SNAP® Combo Test
SNAP® Combo Test
SNAP® Combo Test
Test every kitten,
regardless of age.
FIV Diagnostic Algorithm — Kittens (<6 Months of age)
FIV Antibody-Negative 2
FIV Antibody-Positive 1
May be due to maternal antibodies if
history is unknown.
Consider free of infection and begin a
wellness program immedediately.
Start management program immediately.
FIV Antibody-Positive
FeLV Antigen-Positive
FIV Antibody-Negative 1
All positive results should be confirmed.
Start wellness program immediately
Consider free of infection and begin
a wellness program
Retest immediately with Western blot
FeLV Antigen-Negative 2
All positive results should be confirmed.
Start wellness program immediately
Consider free of infection and begin
a wellness program
Retest immediately with IFA
Retest at 60-day intervals
SNAP® Combo Test
Confirm positive results at a Referral Laboratory
Western Blot Test
FIV Antibody-Positive
FIV Antibody-Negative
Maternal antibodies may take up to six months of
age to clear, continue testing in 60-day intervals
Consider free of infection and begin a
wellness program.
After kitten reaches six months of age...
FIV Western Blot-Positive
FIV Western Blot-Negative
FeLV laboratory Positive
FeLV laboratory Negative
Consider FIV-infected and continue
appropriate management program
and/or treatments (see management plan)
Discrepant results—infection may be in
early stage or initial ELISA results may be
incorrect
Consider FeLV-infected and start
appropriate management program
and/or treatments (see management plan)
Discrepant results—infection may be in
early stage or initial ELISA results may be
incorrect
SNAP® Combo Test
FIV Antibody-Positive
Consider FIV-infected and continue
appropriate management program and/or
treatments (see management plan)
Retest in 28 days using both
SNAP® and IFA
Retest in 60 days using both
SNAP® and Western blot
FIV Antibody-Negative
Consider free of infection and begin a
wellness program.
SNAP® Combo Test and Referral Laboratory Test
SNAP® Combo Test and Western Blot Test
SNAP Pos
W Blot Pos
Consider FIV-infected
and continue
appropriate
management program
and/or treatments (see
management plan)
SNAP Pos
W Blot Neg
Discrepant result.
Repeat both the
SNAP and Western
blot at six-month
intervals. The health
of these cats should
be monitored and
managed with the
same care as if they
were FIV-infected.
SNAP Neg
W Blot Pos
One of the results is
incorrect. Repeat both
tests.
SNAP Neg
W Blot Neg
Consider free of
infection and continue
wellness program
SNAP Pos
Lab Pos
Consider
FeLV-infected and
start appropriate
management
program and/or
treatments (see
management plan)
SNAP Pos
Lab Neg
Discrepant result.
Repeat both the SNAP
and IFA at six-month
intervals. The health
of these cats should
be monitored and
managed with the
same care as if they
were FeLV-infected.
SNAP Neg
Lab Pos
One of the results is
incorrect. Repeat both
tests.
SNAP Neg
Lab Neg
Consider free of
infection and continue
wellness program
1 The kitten’s history should include the FIV status of the queen. An infected queen, or one that has been
vaccinated for FIV with a whole-virus vaccine, will pass antibodies to her kittens.
2 Cats receiving negative results should be retested a minimum of 60 days after their last potential exposure to
allow FIV antibody to reach detectable levels.
1 Cats receiving negative results should be retested a minimum of 60 days after their last potential exposure to
allow FIV antibody to reach detectable levels.
2 Cats receiving negative results should be retested a minimum of 28 days after their last potential exposure to
allow FeLV antigen to reach detectable levels.
Helpful Guidelines
Management Plan
Diagnosing and managing
patients with FIV/FeLV
Effective care and management
can help infected cats live long,
healthy lives
Suggested Management Plan for Cats Confirmed
to be Infected with FIV and/or FeLV
Treatment of Symptoms
Longer and/or more aggressive
treatments may be necessary with
infected cats.
Establish Management Plan
with Client
Semiannual wellness visits to include:
• Thorough physical exam
• Faecal examinations
• CBC
• Blood chemistry panel (annually)
• Urinalysis and culture by
cystocentesis (annually)
Nutritional Counseling
Properly balanced nutritional diet can
be essential in maintaining the health
of immunosuppressed cats.
Avoid raw eggs and meat.
Client Awareness of Secondary
Infections
• Infected cats need to visit the
veterinarian immediately if there are any
signs of illness.
• Keep infected cats indoors and
isolated from other cats in the
household.
–An infected cat’s ability to defend
itself from secondary infections is
significantly reduced.
Spaying/Neutering of Adults
Reduces tendency to fight and/or
mate, thereby decreasing the ability of
the virus to spread; decreases stress
of estrus.
Maintenance of Vaccine Programs
In general, vaccine programs for
asymptomatic, infected cats should be
similar to uninfected cats.
IDEXX Laboratories Limited
Milton Court, Churchfield Road,
Chalfont St. Peter,
Buckinghamshire SL9 9EW,
UK
www.idexx.co.uk
© 2005 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. • 3446-00 UK