Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I took my 8 week old kitten in for a checkup and first set of shots, the vet also did the feline disease test, and yes he has it...Now I have been doing my homework and 3 websites said that Harley should not have been tested till 6 months old because he could still be carrying his mommas antibodies....

I really need some good information form you cat lover....I love Harley and do not plan on doing away with him...He is the only cat I will have so if he truly has this he wont affect anybody else unless when he goes outside...But I am thinking about making him a total housecat...

Anybody who can give me any input with this feline disease please feel free to tell me..I am open to all and any info...I am a new kitten mommy and never had cats before..just dogs

Thank you Michele

Hi Michelle,

Please find out which disease your kitten has been diagnosed with. If the test was the "combo" test done in the office, he is positive for either Feline Leukemia or Feline "Aids". There is a big difference between the two diseases and it can be very confusing, especially to a new kitten owner.

We can also talk about this in the chatroom if you like..........I have talked to you in Cat Care Central before

Regards,
PHKitkat

this is what my invoice says:

felv/fiv (n/p)

Hello again,

This is actually good news.......and for this result it is true that it might not be accurate in a young kitten. But even if it is, most cats that are positive for FIV do very well and have long lives. They do have compromised immune systems, however, so they may tend to become ill or can have chronic problems.

At this point, however, I recommend feeding your kitten the best quality food you can afford, and possibly a vitamin suppliment as well, and to recheck the blood test in a few months. If he is still positive, you should ask the vet to run a Western Blot Test to confirm the diagnosis. If that is positive, he has the disease and you can consider giving him something that will boost his immune system, depending on what your vet has available.

I have a friend who has a cat positive for FIV, she is 13 now, and her only problem has been some diarrhea, which is controlled by her being on a special diet. She is happy, healthy, and active for a cat of her age and lives with other cats. The only way that an adult cat would pass on the virus to another is by a deep bite and she is a very mellow cat so the others are not in danger.

If you have any other questions, or need more info, please don't hesitate to ask

Regards,
PHKitkat

There are a lot of times a kitten with test "positive" falsely so be careful. The kit can test negative and months later test positive (especially if he was vaccinated) and then test negative once again. it has a lot to do with thier immune system as well. You would do well to wait and have him retested at 8 to 10 months of age, possibly not gettin him vaccinated after all his initial shots are done if he is going to be an indoor kitty. Inndoor only cats do no necessarily need vaccinations and can opften get cancer or other illness from being vaccianted.