It's too bad that economics have such an effect on shelters.  Just a reason why we all should do what we can to help out.

When we adopted our new dog, Zeke, from the shelter, he had no testing done, but did have vaccines.  Before we brought him home, we took him directly to the clinic where I work.  We did a heartworm test, fecal test, and a booster of his vaccines (it had been a month since his intake vaccines at the shelter).  The doctor did a full physical, and only after all that did I feel comfortable bringing him home to meet my other dog.  The shelter did not advise that - I did it because of my knowledge of what I've seen clients bring home with their new shelter pet.  I think that, just as a breeder should advise that the new owner's vet check the pet ASAP, the shelter should advise the same.

I did have a client adopt a dog from the same shelter, who was heartworm positive - on the shelter's test!  It was in their paperwork, and they never pointed it out to her.  She found it only because she is the type of person who reads everything that she is given.  If she hadn't seen it, the dog would probably not have been checked for a year.  He had pretty severe disease, with a collapsed lung, but did well with treatement, and has recovered completely.  I wish that the shelter personnel had pointed it out to her, in the dog's best interest.  If they are going to do the test, they should let the adopter know the results.

Sassy May 25th, 2009 12:17:09 PM

The testing is expensive, and in tough times, even for the average pet owner it's hard to justify spending on average (in my area) $50.00 for an FIV/FELV test. However, because FELV is so contageous and although feline interferon is showing some success in treatment (although must be aquired with FDA permission in this country) felv has limited treatment options and ultimately leads to the decline of the cat. I think testing for the felv is not something that should be abandoned.

It is always a trade off in shelters and rescue groups because in any economy there are always more mouths to feed and treat then funds coming in.

However, I am not sure the general public understands about Felv and I doubt shelters are offering up your sage advice <Something along the lines of, "You MUST go straight to your veterinarian and have him tested!" works for me>

again however, the statistics that Dr. Derr quote are very interesting and If they are valid, then perhaps she makes a good trade as long as she is vigilant in informing adopters.

LorriM May 25th, 2009 02:31:55 PM

I never bring a stray or shelter animal into the main area of the house until they've had a vet check, including (for cats) a SNAP test. SNAP testing post-adoption isn't foolproof, as there's always a possibility that the animal was recently infected and hasn't yet seroconverted, but it's better than nothing.

I'm comfortable with most shelters forgoing the FIV/FeLV test, provided they are informing prospective adopters of this and educating them as to A) what these diseases are, and B) why they ought to consider having the cat tested  post-adoption, especially if there are going to be other cats involved. I agree with Lorri, though- staff can't just operate on the assumption that everyone is informed. I would say that 80% of the times I've discussed FIV with other cat owners while sitting in the waiting area at our vet's office (when there's a wait, people invariably want to know what's wrong with the kitty-in-the-box) I've been met with blank stares. Our local shelters who don't test offer no education at all. Maybe they're afraid of scaring off potential adopters, I don't know. They do leave the FeLV/FIV box unchecked on the adoption contract, which, yes, new owners should bother reading... and they generally give you a certificate for a free exam to be performed within the first week (where, theoretically vet staff ought to be broaching the subject) but let's be honest, it's not a perfect world, and these things don't always happen.

That said, I'll be honest, I don't know that I would be comfortable adopting from an open-area shelter where cats are premitted to mingle if they weren't testing for FeLV. If the cats are going to be living in close quarters, grooming one another, and sharing amenities, I think they ought to be tested.

FIV doesn't make me as nervous because it's harder to transmit. I have had a mixed household (one positive, two negatives) for the past five years. There is no overt intercat aggression, and the negatives continue to test persistently negative. (One was last tested a couple months ago when he developed uveitis.)

Ramen Connoisseur May 25th, 2009 04:10:34 PM

Eh, permitted, even.. where's the edit box when you need one?   :)

Ramen Connoisseur May 25th, 2009 04:12:18 PM

<<FIV doesn't make me as nervous because it's harder to transmit. I have had a mixed household>>

Ramen, if it makes you feel better, my FIV+ cats lived with my negative ones for almost 15 years and no one ever tested positive and I was never concerned about the FIV. I firmly believe that most of FIV transmission comes from sexual transmission and repeated deep bites from fighting unneutered males.

My concern is that unchecked box...seen it and know for a fact that most don't explain it.

LorriM May 25th, 2009 04:45:18 PM

Animal sheltering is fast becoming much like the veterinary clinic, and it seems unacceptable for many shelters not to follow suit, at least in terms of quality care, isolation protocols, education, and yes, testing.

Why can't shelters allocate funding for tests, educate new owners of the availability, educate them of the importance of testing BEFORE that pet leaves the shelter, offer a slightly reduced cost on the test, then advise the owner repeat the test in 4 weeks with their primary vet. This way, they are not sending a pet home with a new owner only to find the pet sick days or weeks later.  It has to start at the shelter level.

It's quite easy to spend less than 3 minutes with a new pet owner educating about FELV or FIV.  THREE minutes.  Accompanying that with a pamphlet that provides more information is a second assurance for education.

Educational pamphlets, just like the ones in the vet clinic, are available to ALL shelters, oftentimes at very reduced costs (extras can always be obtained for free if bought in bulk numbers).  Send one home with EVERY new owner. 

And, there's really no excuse for shelters not isolating suspect cases and giving them quality of care.  It's a community-wide effort, that encompasses from shelter staff/management to local vets to the community. (and perhaps asking for discounts from the manufacturers of needed supplies and test products).

lexipup May 25th, 2009 04:49:39 PM

Testing should be done at the shelter to ensure a healthy life-long family pet.  If the companies making the snap tests were willing to work with the shelters that would help bring the cost down.  I also agree that proper client education goes a long way if not testing at the shelter.  If prospective owners understand the dangers of FeLV/FIV then most would likely take the new kitten directly to their veterinarian. 

www.petdirectexpress.com May 25th, 2009 06:37:26 PM

Speaking as the founder of a feral cat management program and kitten rescue, I can state, categorically, that testing is prohibitively expensive.  It currently costs several HUNDRED dollars to properly test, retest and confirm FIV / FeLV infection.  Because of this, we have instituted a policy whereby we only test sick cats that do not respond to appropriate treatment for their condition, or cats with deep bite wounds.  This policy is clearly stated on our website and discussed with prospective adopters.

We are also wrestling with the problem of how to tell the difference between a cat that has been vaccinated against a disease, and one that has been exposed to it.  The test results are the same in both instances:  positive

Craig Street Cats May 25th, 2009 07:49:20 PM

<<We are also wrestling with the problem of how to tell the difference between a cat that has been vaccinated against a disease, and one that has been exposed to it. The test results are the same in both instances: positive>>

that is not true actually. I assume you are referring to FELV since there is no vaccine for FIV.

IT is possible for a newly infected cat to test positive for FELV then fight off the infection and test negative, which is why any initial SNAP (elisa) testing should always be confirmed with in IFA or PCR test to confirm the postive results.

LorriM1 May 25th, 2009 08:41:29 PM

I would like to clarify: For FIV, there is a vaccine. It is currently not widely distributed and implemented specifically because uninfected cats will always test positive for the virus after being vaccinated. This should not prove a problem for shelter workers as the vaccine is so infrequently applied--in my practice only in the case of one indoor cat living with FIV-positive cats (for which I has to specially order the vaccine).

Moreover, vaccinating with FeLV does not result in "false" positives. Cats will not test positive after being vaccinated. No question about that. But LorriM is right: it is possible for cats to be exposed to FeLV and then fight off the disease. They will test positive for a time before "fighting off" the infection. We assume these cats have natural immunity to FeLV.

Dr. Patty Khuly May 25th, 2009 09:04:59 PM

http://www.cpvh.com/Articles/76.html

Interesting, I did not know there was an FIV vaccine..I googled it and found a decent explaination on the above link.

I've seen quite a few kittens/young cats test positive then negative however. It's difficult placing them in that inbetween status though and most shelters will simply euthanize felv positive without further/retesting. SO in the long run, perhaps shelters NOT testing will save lives. Just as a different perspective of thought.

LorriM May 25th, 2009 10:20:27 PM

Lorri- that’s true.

Thomas’ first test (ELISA) was equivocal, so we were very hopeful during the month that we waited to subject him to the Western Blot. Alas, the WB came back positive, as has every FIV-inclusive panel he’s had since. I can think of some small foster orgs that might occasionally hold a cat or kitten to confirm a positive result, but in the shelter system (around here, at least), that first positive is almost always a mandatory death sentence.

And... 15 years! That’s impressive. I know the risk is low in a stable household, which was a major deciding factor when it came to whether or not our positive boy would be staying. I think I’m a little more nervous now than I used to be, though, having seen what the virus has done to Thomas. (The neuro episodes are pretty scary.) I’m not sure if it’s a particularly nasty subtype, or if he’s just progressing faster because he has other problems too. (I suspect a little bit of both- our vet says she’s seen a lot of neuro issues in her other FIV patients.) He’s ~8 now, and doing well... but I’d be astounded (albeit ecstatic!) if he makes it to 15. Right now we’re working on pulling off the big 1-0.  :)

Ramen Connoisseur May 25th, 2009 11:37:59 PM

I'm very emphatic about NOT euthanizing owned, not-sick cats with FeLV or FIV. Transmission CAN be mitigated through careful management of household cats. And cats CAN live long, comfortable lives with these diseases. 

Dr. Patty Khuly May 26th, 2009 12:34:36 AM

Wow....I was not aware so many shelters don't do much testing. Ours tests probably 75% of incoming cats. It is a cost issue, though-- with litters, we'll usually just test the mom, if she is present; if not we will test one kitten from the litter. We test most strays during their 48-hour hold before they make it to the cat room for adoption;  and all get a general vet check  by our full-time staff vet during this time-- any cat that gives a high index of suspicion--such as battle-scarred toms, those that appear anemic, or cats with oral lesions of any kind will be tested. (Unfortunately, those that test positive are humanely euthanized; budget shortfalls don't allow for a wait and re-test). Healthy owner-surrendered cats are generally not tested, unless there is a reason to test found during their intake check-up. Our newest batch of SNAP tests also have included heartworm along with FeLV and FIV.

I personally would not introduce a new cat into my household without having them FeLV/FIV tested. In the case of our shelter, when we began doing more tests about a year ago;  we raised the adoption fee for cats from $60 to $65----still a big bargain, IMO--since it includes initial FVRCP, rabies (if over 12 wk. of age), worming and flea preventative (if needed), and spay/neuter.  And if your adopted cat is not one of the 75% of our already FeLV/FIV tested cats, it is available on adoption from us for an additional fee of $10 (much less than your vet charges, I'm sure). And we still always recommend a visit with your new pet's veterinarian soon after adoption.

Shellie May 26th, 2009 07:58:47 AM

Ramen:

I am sorry that your FIV cat has neuro symptoms. I did have one cat I got from my vet (his owners wanted him euthanized but signed him over) He was a yellow Tabby and was sick when I took him, he lived about a year and a half with me before dying from the FIV.He was about 5.

But Reowy was at the house when we moved in, was already an adult and we had him for an additional 14+ years. And we battled to keep him inside everytime someone went out the door. He was an amazing cat though and our lives have been the better for having known him.

I know a bunch of people who just take the FIV+ cats and most of them find that with a really good diet and medical cat (teeth brushing etc) that they are living long full lives. I do think that forgoing vaccines and feeding raw helps IMHO. And as with any cat, but particularly, the FIV+ cats, they should be kept inside.

LorriM May 26th, 2009 08:36:51 AM

Hmmm, our vet requires FIV vaccine for all cats - no surgery, no treatment if they aren't vaccinated.

So this isn't the norm?

Nita May 26th, 2009 08:55:52 AM

Nita: Are you sure it's the FIV vaccine? That sounds odd but I'm willing to bet certain areas have adopted the vaccinate-them-all approach. certainly hasn't caught on here.

Dr. Patty Khuly May 26th, 2009 10:58:50 AM

Since there is the possiblity of a six week incubation of FELV and FIV, all the cats could be tested and come up negative but still be infected.

the shelter I volunteer at tests most of the pets.  They group test families to save money.  Even still, I ended up adopting a FELV+ kitty who ended up infecting one of my owned cats before he died of FIP.

Connie May 26th, 2009 11:02:42 AM

FIV testing is NOT "the norm" due to it's ability to only provoke an immune response to 2 of the 5 strains of FIV, the vaccine being adjuvanted, and the fact that future "SNAP" testing will produce a positive test result.

As a long-term OTJ vet tech, current Vet Tech Student, & kitten foster mom extrodinaire, I can vouch for the cost issue concerning rescues and testing kittens.

I have personally had a litter of kittens where 1 sibling tested positive for FeLeuk, and the others did not. I also found a pregnant female whom test positive for FIV, and later on, her 2 kittens did as well. I could not bear to euthanise any of the trio (all where delightfully affectionate) so I have kept the mother cat and both kittens where retested at 5 months of age. And they where negative!

I also know of a local trap/neuter/release program that no longer tests the cats they trap. For years, that was the 1st order of business-if they tested positive, they where euthanized, because it made no sense to the rescue to invest the money in neutering & vaccinating a cat that would be released back to a colony to spread disease. Do to the low percentage of cats they where testing coming up positive, different criteria was set to be the guidelines for euthanasia.

I currently have 2 foster kittens. I will NOT be testing them...but I will inform their new families to test them upon their first vet visit!

Roxanne Sitarz

Roxanne May 26th, 2009 11:06:47 AM

so   ok   i buy a pet from a recue  that may be sick and infect my other cats  ?  is that what i am seeing here?

well ill go to the kill shelter then  save one and do all the testing and vet myself    sorry but if i am going to pay for a pet around her up to $150  i want it checked out for  all communicable diseases.

jim hall May 26th, 2009 05:26:36 PM

Oops....just discovered that information I gave in this morning's comment was incorrect. Our local shelter has raised the price of FeLV/FIV/HW testing as the price of the snap kits went up with the addition of the heartworm test. The charge is now $30, not the $10 I paid when I last adopted a previously untested cat. (Sorry...my bad)!

Shellie May 26th, 2009 06:25:32 PM

Don't get me started on this subject - it makes my blood boil!  After losing a beloved cat at the age of 20.5 yrs. old, we decided to adopt 2 cats from a local SPCA.  Within a few months, 1 cat had worms, the other cat tested Pos. for FelV and then of course so did the other one.  Needless to say, we were devastated.  In doing some "investigating" on my own, we discovered the following:

- adoption records for both indicated they had been tested for FelV - but we later learned this may not have been the case

- records indicated both cats had been dewormed - however, the shelter manager thought you only had to give the deworming medication once!

- adoption protocol stated that new owners were expected to have their cats vaccinated for Rabies (which we did) - only to be informed after the fact that 1 cat had already been vaccinated for Rabies by the shelter, so therefore he received 2 Rabies vaccinations in the space of 1 month!

- in meeting with the shelter manager after both cats were diagnosed with FelV, she was pitifully unaware of how the disease is spread and all that it entails, and did not feel that any other cats in the shelter at the time were at risk - even though our 2 were  in close contact with several other cats in the shelter for an extended period of time - sharing common water/food bowls, litter boxes, bedding, participated in mutual grooming.

I could go on and on about how "rudely" we were treated both when we notified the shelter about our 2 cats testing Pos. for FelV and when they died.  We lost 1 cat 10 months after adoption, and the other 1 yr less a day later.  IMO, it only added insult to injury when this particular SPCA branch kept contacting us repeatedly after their deaths offering us "2 cats of our choice - for FREE!"

I totally understand that funding is an ongoing issue with shelters, and I appreciate that fact - and have donated frequently to them.  However, IMO there is absolutely NO excuse for having uninformed/unknowledgeable people running such places, and not utilizing available funds as they are supposed to be.  If a shelter does test for FelV, etc. they should actually DO the testing - not just check off the box (which we found out later was the case with our 2 cats).  This is just not acceptable.

Am I bitter about our experience with the SPCA?  You bet!  Would I adopt from the SPCA in the future?  I doubt it!  Just don't trust them.

Marlene from Ontario, Canada May 28th, 2009 07:29:21 PM

test your own....but I don't think that the reasoning that the testing is expensive is a good enough excuse.

I ordered 15 SNAP tests, had them shipped to me overnight...they arrived today  in a cooler, cost $232.00 including shipping. RETAIL. That's a cost of $15.47 per test....NOW they are just FELV tests, but truth be told, that really the important one. (well actually the important one is the FIP test which is useless and a waste of money because the results don't really mean anything , but that a whole different story).

add 15 tuberculin syringes to that order and your cost is increased a few dollars. Don't know how ot pull blood on a cat?...ask...it's not hard, and almost everyone in rescue has done it at one time or another if they are truthful.

if the shelters aren't testing and arn't being as forthcoming as they should be, then as owners we need to fill in the gap. Either with our vet or on your own, but no cat should enter the home with other cats without a felv test. too much to risk.

LorriM May 29th, 2009 02:08:41 AM

LorriM, are you a vet?  Otherwise, how are you obtaining quality test materials as a layperson?  Reputable snap tests are not obtained that way, at least the manufacturers do not intend to sell to the public consumer.

And, to suggest owners do this themselves, is downright dangerous.  Your average layperson pet owner has no clue how to properly handle blood, let alone the test, or how to store, or how to interpret a test (you do know of course, that most need refrigeration before use, and should not be kept in unusual or fluctuating temperatures, the dilutant needs to be handled carefully, etc etc).  If for example, the test is negative, but that test was done on a 6 week-old kitten, or likewise, a positive in a 6-week old kitten, the test is invalid and useless.  (um, really really really good pet owners will do this through their vets and the vet will interpret the test properly, will suggest re-testing if appropriate when maternal antibodies are past, in kittens).  I'd hate to think pet owners would forego a re-test based on an inaccurate result.  Really dangerous advice there.

The cost, in my opinion, for an FELV or FELV/FIV snap test at the vet clinic is reasonable, considering you are getting a quality product, an exam by a licensed vet, and results achieved in 10 minutes or less.  I do however, feel that manufacturers should look closely into fair discounts for shelters, since there are hundreds of pets at risk, it certainly couldn't cut into the profit margin for manufacturers, it could actually increase it.  It would then be up to the shelters to get proper training and knowledge in order to use them, but the manufacturer can help them with that as well.

lexipup May 29th, 2009 03:55:57 PM

Also want to include the potential dangers of laypersons performing venipuncture to get a blood sample.  That should be obvious. 

lexipup May 29th, 2009 03:58:52 PM

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I am involved with a rescue group in Phoenix, and manage our Feline Care Center. We test all our cats for Fiv/Felv before we take them from the kill list at our local pound. Our cost for the test kit from our veterinary partner is only 20.OO ( I do the test myself) I don't think that is so expensive that it should warrent not being done. As mentioned in several other comments, a postive test doesn't happen all that often, we had two in the past 5 years. One for Felv and one for FIV. A responsible shelter owes it to it's potential adopters to know that information about a potential cat they are adopting into their family.

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