Animals with special needs are often misunderstood and the information regarding their care can often be confusing.  Animals with special needs are still routinely euthanized just for failing a blood test or thrown outside because they have some cosmetic defect, or no one wants to take the time to help them with their fears.  At the Ranch, we take the time; we do it for everyone!

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Ernie Mittens was our first FeLv kitty and Raggamuffin was our first FIV kitty.  At the time we new nothing about feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus.  Boy, much has changed over the years! 

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  The main things we have learned is that FIV is not contageous through mutual grooming or sharing a living space with FIV kitties.  As long as there is no deep biting by the infected kitty, cohabitiation of these kitties with healthy kitties is not a problem.  FIV kitties should be kept indoors though and not exposed to sick kitties to be protected from getting infections which may shorten their lives.  Otherwise they can live a relatively normal lifespan. 

 

FeLv on the other hand is very different.   Feline leukemia is a devistating disease, especially to kittens.  Cats that are truly FeLv positive need to be isolated from non infected cats and kittens.  The common test for FeLv is the in-office Elisa test (Aka: Snap test).  This test detects circulating viral antigen in the blood which suggests a cat has been exposed to the leukemia virus.  Cats testing positive should have blood sent for more a definitive test known as the IFA, or Hardy test to see if they were able to effectively fight off the virus.  Many vets charge over $100 to send this sample to a third party lab.  Please shop around as there are vets that charge less than half that and send the blood to Dr. Hardy's lab in New Jersey.  Negative IFA cats are not to be treated as infected.   

Please visit the following sites to learn more in depth knowledge of Feline nutrition, FIV, FeLv diseases, testing, vaccination and recommendations. 

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National Veterinary Lab

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FeLv vaccine Study 

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FeLv Study 

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Feline Nutition Foundation

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FIV  

For the webcast go to

http://www.maddiesfund.org/update-on-fiv.htm

 

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