Conference misery::feline_v1

    I have never heard of a test result being "equivocal".  Usually
    they are a yes or a no.  Can't help you there.
    
    I would call them back and ask them what they mean.  If they mean
    yes or no.  They should be able to tell you that.  Also, if your
    vet isn't there, maybe his associate is, and can interpret the results
    for you.
    
    Jo
    
    PS - they have renamed FTLV to FIV to help differentiate it from
    FELV.
    
    

    Jo,
    
    I did ask if another vet could tell me what it meant, but she said it
    would be better if I spoke to the vet that is working with me on this
    issue.  I thought it sort of odd that someone else couldn't tell me
    what it meant also.  The vet will be back in on Wednesday, so until
    then I worry.
    
    I went round and round with the office about FIV and FTLV.  I said I
    wanted the FIV test done, they said oh, you mean FIB.  I said no, FIV
    and they thought I meant FELV.  The vet cleared it up, but by then I
    was sincerely frustrated and starting to wonder if I made FIV up.  I
    came back to notes and found the abbreviations: FIV, FIB, FTLV and FELV
    which I thought all meant something different.  

    Let's see...
    
    FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis
    FELV - Feline Leukemia
    FIV - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus       \ these are the same thing
    FTLV - Feline T-Lymphotrophic Lentivirus  /
                                                                        
    FIV was first recognized at UC Davis by Nels Pederson.  He called
    it FTLV due to it's similarity to Human Aids virus.  The slang name
    for it is still Feline Aids.  But, since FTLV and FELV sound so
    much alike, a lot of confusion followed.  I attended a seminar given
    by Dr. Pederson, and that was the explanation that he gave us for
    the change of name.
    
    I don't think I have every heard of FIB.  Maybe you mean FIP?  It
    has been discussed very frequently in this file.
    
    Did you also test your kitten for FELV?  Was that negative?
    
    Seems odd that the receptionist didn't want to let you talk to the
    other vet.  Maybe you should try calling back and insisting to talk
    to the other vet.  Two more days of worrying would be sheer h*ll.
    
    Jo

    Thank you for the listing of all those abbreviations!  Yes, I'm
    100% sure that she wrote FIB (I remember thinking to myself, what!
    another abbreviation...).  
    
    Yes, my Meishka was tested for Leukemia, and came up negative, so she's
    been innoculated.  And my other little one, Cally, was tested and came
    back positive (I almost died!), and it was another six weeks of worry
    because the vet said she could "shed" the virus.  Thankfully the second
    test came back negative, and she's due for her first leukemia shot on
    February 10th.  What a job it was keeping all the kids separated (I
    have two adult cats also).  Cally because of the positive leukemia, and
    Meish because of her six weeks of colds.  After those two were well,
    everyone has been playing with everyone else.  Now Meish might have
    aids which means everyone could have it because they've all been
    interacting.  
    
    Brandy and BC are all up-to-date on shots (including leukemia).  Do
    vets not want to give out bad news if the client is not a regular of
    theirs I wonder...  

    I would suggest not calling this Aids, least some hysteric start running
    amok.  Our babies don't need that. (Cats can get Aids!  News at 11!)

    Re .4, your kitty shed the FeLV virus?  Maybe there is hope for my
    Noel (note 3199) after all.  She has turned out to be absolutely
    lovable!!! (and un-placeable with the FeLV).  I am holding out until
    the end of this month and will give her a re-test.  If she's negative,
    she's mine!  About the vet giving you bad news....any good vet will
    tell you what the results are, good or bad.  Withholding the bad
    news would only cause any more kitties you brought home to be infected
    unknowingly.  Better to be prepared with the bad news!  What kind
    of FeLV test did Cally get-the lab test or the in house test?  I
    will be making sure I get the Lab Test as it is more dependable.
    
    
    Lynne - Casey, B.K., Pepper, Rusty & Noel

    re.6.   yes, Cally did shed the virus.  The vet had said that if the
    second test had come back positive then the chances would have been
    that it wouldn't have shed it out.  I'm so thankful that she did.  She
    was three months when she was retested.  I knew that my regular vet
    would tell me the news, be it good or bad.  I just sort of wondered if
    a vet that wasn't my regular would have wanted to tell me the news.  I
    don't know what kind of blood test it was (either in-house or lab
    test).   
    
    I did talk to her yesterday and she told me that the test didn't tell
    anything, either positive or negative.  She said it's a color test that
    turns either clear or blue in color.  It didn't turn either, so she is
    recommending that Meishka be tested in eight to twelve weeks, which I
    will have done.  In the meantime I'll just enjoy her, and hope for the
    best - or the strength to deal with whatever happens.  I'll be thinking
    of you.  Let me know how it turns out - good luck!!
    
    deb (and Brandy, BC, Meishka & Cally) 
     

    Where was this FIV test done?  Bob had an FIV test done because of
    his gingivitis - and his feral history.  Fortunately it came back
    negative.  His test was done at Tufts.  Perhaps yours could be
    done there too.
    
    re: FELV - its my understanding that there are two types of
    tests.  The Hardy test is the more reliable and must be sent to
    a lab in New Jersy.  (That's where Jesse was tested).  Takes longer,
    but there are fewer false positives.  I wonder if that's what this
    was - a false positive.
      Although I have heard of cats being exposed to FELV and developing
    an immunity on their own.
       Good luck.
      Nancy DC

    Nancy - the FIV test was done by Tufts.  That's why I was surprised I
    didn't get an accurate result...  Could you tell me what the
    relationship between the FIV test and gingivitis is?  Is gingivitis
    something that cats with FIV get?  (I ask as I have a cat that's been
    having teeth/mouth problems.  The problem started before the kitten was
    introduced into the family.)  She's 13 and has lost 1-1/2 lbs.
    
     re:  FELV - the test on my two newest additions were done at the vets. 
    They were both blood tested.

    I think the only relationship between them testing Nancy's cat for
    FIV when he had gingivitis would have been that he either had a
    very bad case, or it seemed that it wouldn't clear up.  Anytime
    that a cat has an illness that appears chronic, or won't respond
    to medication, the vets check for diseases that would affect the
    immune system.
               
    Jo

    I think it also had alot to do with his age - under 1 year.  At
    this point they think its an immune system condition that is
    chronic and not contagious and usually results in the cat losing
    all his teeth.  This would be confirmed with a biopsy, but I
    haven't wanted to put Bob through this - especially since it seems
    to cause him no discomfort - he eats dry food happily.  
      It may be my imagination, but I think it actually looks a bit
    better.  Perhaps the effects of a healthy life-style.  :-)
      Nancy DC

    the second test came back negative
    

    That's FANTASTIC news!
      Nancy DC