Conference misery::feline_v1

    I have used a saliva test one time, and got a false positive.  Of
    course, the stress of a positive result is something one must take
    into account.  We weren't given the option of running the same sample
    for a retest at no charge.  I ended up doing a blood test to be
    safe at an additional $25.00.  The result was negative, and that
    cat has always tested negative since.  Boy, I will never forget
    how my heart stopped when the vet gave me the positive result!
    
    I have talked with the man from the Mail order place, and I still
    think that I will use the blood tests.  I tend to be suspicious
    of new things, especially when it comes to the health of my cats.
    I also think that my kitten buyers will feel more secure with a
    blood test result than with a saliva or tear test result.  I know
    I do, although I don't know why.
    
    My new vet (long live Dr. Rue), charges me very little for bloodwork
    and she has a very good method of drawing the blood that makes it
    less stressful on the cats and kittens.  She takes it from the vein
    on the inside of the back leg, and most of the cats don't even flinch.
    
    Some of my friends have been using this type of test for years,
    but never received certificates with the results on them.  But,
    they weren't from this company.  I will be interested in learning
    how the tests work out for you Cin, and maybe I can become a convert.
    
    Jo  

    Jo,
    
    Knowing that the most common problem with the test is a false positive,
    I don't think I'ld panic if it came back positive, especially since
    my cattery has always been negative, and everyone that comes in
    is tested and isolated first.
    
    I liked the idea that they will run the 2nd test on a positive for
    no additional charge, and they would only consider the result positive
    if two tests proved positive.  Although they would notify me before
    the 2nd test was done.  
    
    Another way I thought I'ld use the test is to test queens that come
    in for Stud Service.  I'ld take a sample the evening they came (while
    keeping them isolated), express mail the sample for next day delivery,
    and know that day if the cat tests negative.  It's not that expensive
    and it might make me feel more comfortable.  
    
    

    I require the queens to come with a negative leukemia blood test.
    The results either have to be noted on the health certificate
    (which I also require) or on letterhead from the vet with his signature
    and license number.
    
    When I used the saliva test, I didn't know about the false positives.
    It was really a shock to hear the results.  I panicked until the
    blood test came back the next day.
    
    Let me know how you like it, and what your kitten  buyers reactions
    are to it.  I have had three kitten buyers who have told me that
    they lost cats to leukemia and that they bought from me 'cause they
    liked the fact that I did the felv blood tests.  The other buyers
    don't seem to care one way or another.  
    
    It sure would save money though.  Even with my discount at the vets,
    it is still about $15.00 a cat for the tests.
    
    jo

    Jo,
    
    I don't test kittens!!!  I never have, and I probably never will,
    unless I'm going to keep them, that is.
    
    I test mom and dad usually within a month prior to breeding, and
    I guarantee the kitten to be FelV negative.  I also give a 30 day
    health guarantee, provided the kitten is brought to their vet within
    the first two weeks for a well visit.  I suggest they test the kitten
    at this time, and discuss the FelV shots with their Vet.  I don't
    know what I'ld do if one ever came back positive, since it's never
    happened.  
    
    That's another way I may use these tests, I haven't decided yet.
    I think it's extra encouragement for these folks to bring the cat
    in for the well visit.  
    
    To be honest with you, I've never had anyone ask for a FelV test
    result.  If someone were to want the kitten FelV tested prior to
    picking it up, I would pass on my vet's fee to them. 
    
    cin
    

    Cin,
    
    I test them and also have a health certificate issued.  This works
    well for me.  I started doing that after a friend of mine was taken
    to small claims court because she refused to pay for vet bills for
    an eye infection that one of her kittens contracted two months after
    the kitten was sold.  The whole thing was ridiculous, but if she
    had not shown up in court, the buyer would have won the case.  She
    would have been better able to prove that the kitten didn't contract
    the eye infection from her house had a health certificate been issued.
    Two months is too long for a breeder to be considered responsible
    for something like an eye infection, in my opinion.
    
    I give a two week guarantee, whether it be for health reasons or
    otherwise, I will take the kitten back and give a full refund. 
    I guarantee against genetic defects for the life of the cat.  
    
    The buyers in my area seem to appreciate these things since the
    other Birman breeders in my area don't do them, and still charge
    the same price.  I go through this stuff mainly to protect myself
    and to protect the buyer.  So far, I have never had a kitten come
    back with illness (knock on wood).
    
    Boy, we are exchanging alot of information here.  I have some other
    questions for you.  How often do you breed your male?  Do you find
    that he needs a certain amount of time between queens to "replenish"
    his sperm count?
    
    Jo
    
    

    I have a few questions along this line too.
    
    Regarding the Felv test and vaccination, My cat has been tested once
    3 years ago and has been vaccinated every year.  Should she be retested
    at any point in her life or is knowing she is getting the vaccination
    enough to "almost" guarantee she wont get it?
    
    Regarding the health certificates, I really like the idea and when I 
    buy my next cat, I am going to get one or take my buisness else where.
    But are they a legal contract, like will it stand up in court?  Is
    there a standard format or did you make one up with all the bennies
    you would include?
    
    michele
    

    Jo,
    
    I give a health certificate from my vet, with shot records.  My
    kittens are seen by the vet at least twice, and usually three times,
    depending on the age that they go to their new homes.
    
    As far as studs, I very very rarely do outside stud service, and
    usually it's only to queens that I sold.  I can only think of 2
    exceptions to this in the almost 10 years I've been breeding.  Since
    I'm using two different boys, I have never really tried to use the
    same boy more than once every couple of weeks.
    
    cin
    

    The health certificates are given out by licensed veterinarians.
    They are governed by the Food and Agricultural Dept.  The vets have
    to follow certain guidelines and check certain things before they
    issue one.  If the cats do not pass the health check, they do not
    issue the health certificate.  I dont' know that they would stand
    up as a legal document in a court of law, but they should couldn't
    hurt.  If nothing else, they will prove that the day that the kitten
    left my house, a vet proclaimed it to be healthy.
    
    As far as outside stud service, I do a little bit, but only for
    people I know very well, and for queens that I have sold to other
    breeders.  I don't advertise stud service.  The reason that I ask
    is that back in March, I bred a cat of mine, a week later, a cat I had 
    sold to someone else, and a couple of days after that, another of
    my cats.  Both my queens had large litters, the first had four kittens,
    and the second had five kittens.  The other queen only had one kitten
    and I was wondering why.  She has had litters of four and five,
    and is only three years old.
    
    Jo

    Re: .6
    
    If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, I would continue to test her
    once a year and continue to give her the shots.  From my experiences,
    I would say that vaccinations alone and one negative test, are no
    guarantee that she will not ever contract the disease.  You may
    want to check the new topic about Feline Leukemia, I think it is
    2637.  Lots of good information in that note too.
    
    Jo