©2000 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. 107561- 1 ©2000 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. 107561- 2

©2000 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. 107561- 1



Experts advise it...


Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Virus shed through saliva - bite wounds

Rarely shed through maternal antibodies

No known prevention

No known cure

FIV positive cats do not always show symptoms!


FIV: Course of Infection

Stage 1 - 4-6 weeks post exposure transient illness (Fever, neutropenia, lymphadenopathy-enlarged lymphnodes)

Stage 2 - Prolonged latency - several months to years - symptoms do not necessarily appear

Stage 3 - Terminal phase - weight loss, recurrent UTI, gingivitis, oral lesions, anemia, etc..


Feline Leukemia Virus Transmitted HORIZONTALLY

through saliva, urine, feces, sharing water bowls or litter boxes

Transmitted VERTICALLY transplacentaly, milk

Vaccination against FeLV available but NOT100% effective

DOES NOT PREVENT SPREAD OF DISEASE IN PREVIOUSLY INFECTED CATS

NO proven effective treatment


Outcome of FeLV Exposure

28% - UninfectedUninfected Resistant to infection Insufficient exposure

42% - Transiently InfectedTransiently Infected FeLV eventually eliminated within 6-9

months post exposure

30% Persistently Viremic30% Persistently Viremic Mortality usually within 3 years


FeLV: Course of Infection1. 2-4 days post exposure: Virus

localized to point of entry (oral and nasal cavities).

2. 1-14 days post exposure. Monocytes and lymphocytes become infected

3. 3-12 days post exposure. Virus infects the spleen and lymphnodes. Some cats may be capable of synthesizing antibodies and eliminate virus before it affects bone marrow


FeLV infection course - continued

4. 7-21 days post exposure. Virus affects bone marrow and intestinal cells.

5. 14-28 days post exposure. Virus liberated from bone marrow and will be in circulatory neutrophils and platelets.

6. 28-56 days post exposure. Virus can be found in saliva, tears, feces, urine, and milk. Cat is contagious.Cat is contagious.


SNAP® Feline Combo FeLV

Detects P27 at stage 2

Could be a transient stage

Confirmation testing required by a different methodology

Confirmatory testing needs to be less sensitive and more specific ( IFA or virus isolation at the external laboratory )

Early detections allows isolation of cat and also preventative care

This approach minimises spread and maximises recovery of transient cats.

Internal Use Only – Training Dept.


There are no distinguishing differences between the two diseases. You cannot tell from Hematological/Biochemical changes which disease (if any) is present.

Not knowing the status:

treat the symptoms, not the underlying cause

may allow for transmission of FeLV

and/or FIV to other cats

Why should “at-risk” cats be tested with FeLV/FIV?

Knowing the status:

enables you and the owner to

better prevent secondary infection


Research supports it...

FeLV/FIV infection rate

among sick cats

In a 1994 nationwide study

involving 166 veterinary

clinics (testing 1,996 cats)

certain combinations of

clinical signs were seen to be

strong predictors of FeLV/FIV

infection in cats.

FEVER & SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES 50%

WEIGHT LOSS & ABSCESSES 55%

ABSCESSES & DEHYDRATION 63%

FEVER & GINGIVITIS 55%

FEVER & ABSCESSES 53%

WEIGHT LOSS & SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES 51%

ABSCESSES & SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES 46%

More than 25% of cats showing any symptoms can be positive for FeLV or FIV.


Gingivitis

FeLV?

Behavior Change

Weight Loss

Diarrhea

Persistent Infections

AbscessesFever

Stomatitis

Bordetella?

FIP?

Upper Respiratory?

FIV?

These signsThese signs…..

……are associated are associated with?...with?...


What is a sick cat?

However, cats often hide illnesses and may only show minor changes if infected with FeLV/FIV:

Behavior Sleeping Eating/drinking habits Grooming Posture

These clinical signs can be latent or subtle

Dr. Richard Ford, DVM, MS, Professor of Medicine, Dip. ACVIM, North Carolina State University


What is an “at-risk” cat?

Cat’s that have not been tested. Cat’s that live in multi-cat

households. Cat’s that go outside. Intact Male Cats. Aggressive Cats. Indoor cats that “escape”

occasionally and spend time outdoors.

Cats with an unknown history.


How can a vet determine if a cat is at-risk?

Get a complete history. Does the Cat currently go out? Has the cat ever been outside

unattended? Has the cat ever been exposed to cats

of unknown history? Has the cat belonged to the current

owner since birth? Has the cat ever been tested in the

past?


-FeLV

-FIV

FeLV/FIV NEGATIVE result...

Repeat test for sick cats Repeat after suspected

exposure (3-4 months post - due to seroconversion)

Repeat after any new cat is introduced to household or there is possible of exposure to cat of unknown history



Are Veterinarians testing all Sick Cats?


FeLV/FIV POSITIVE result...

Strongly suggests infection Repeat testing with serum or plasma Confirm with IFA Determine treatment plan Inform client of what to watch for

Strongly suggest infection Confirm with Western blot Determine treatment plan Inform client of what to watch for

+FeLV

+FIV



Is a positive result a death sentence?

FIV positive cats can live a full life. New supportive care treatments for

positive FeLV cats can help these cats survive longer.

Supportive care incorporates other products that the clinic sells into their client’s daily routine such as:

Prescription diets Support products such as Vitamins Treat secondary diseases

Documents

©2000 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. 107561- 1 ©2000 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. 107561- 2