Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a serious and common disease in cats. It can weaken the immune system and make cats more susceptible to other diseases. While home testing kits offer convenience, they have limitations. Let's discuss the pros and cons of at-home testing versus vet testing, symptoms of FeLV, transmission, and testing recommendations.
Cats can get FeLV from their mother before or after birth if infected. They can also get it from exposure to infected cat saliva, urine, or nasal and eye secretions. The virus is found in high concentrations in infected cats' saliva and nasal secretions. The most common ways for cats to get infected with FeLV are through bite wounds during fights with other cats, sharing food/water bowls, mutual grooming, and contaminated objects in multi-cat environments. Kittens and young adult cats are most susceptible (Hartmann, 2017).
The symptoms of FeLV can vary depending on the individual cat. Some cats may show no signs for years while others develop illnesses more rapidly. Common symptoms include persistent infections, anaemia, weight loss, fever, pale gums, diarrhoea or vomiting, mouth/eye sores, lymph node enlargement, tumours, and infections that do not respond to treatment. Cats usually don't show signs for 2-4 weeks after infection. Later-stage symptoms when the immune system breaks down include pneumonia, cancer, and degenerative bone/joint disease (Little, 2019).
Yes, there are several at-home rapid testing kits available for FeLV. They work by detecting FeLV antigen in the cat's blood sample. While convenient, home tests have limitations. The accuracy depends on following instructions closely and using a large enough blood sample. Exposure to heat or light can affect results. If taken too early, the test may not detect a new infection since it takes 2-4 weeks for the virus to replicate to detectable levels. Repeat testing is recommended if the results are ambiguous (Weiss & Scott, 2018).
All cats should be tested before vaccination or if moving to a new home with other cats. Kittens should be tested at 6-8 months when maternal antibodies fade. Cats should also be tested if exhibiting persistent illness symptoms, testing positive for FIV, or if suspected exposure to an infected cat. Indoor/outdoor cats are at higher risk and should be regularly tested, especially if signs of illness appear. Cats from high-risk areas like animal shelters also warrant testing. Early detection allows treatment or isolation before transmission to other felines.
There are many home testing kits available online and at some retailers. However, for the most accurate results it's best to have your veterinarian conduct the FeLV test. Veterinary labs use more advanced testing methods like immunofluorescence assays (IFA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) that are more sensitive for detecting early infections. These diagnostic tests analyze blood or saliva samples and have high specificity and sensitivity.
Home testing kits range from $15-$30 depending on the brand. Veterinary testing through an office visit and lab analysis will usually be more, $30-$60 depending on the clinic. This price covers the exam, sample collection, and definitive results. If early detection and treatment is a priority, or you have multiple cats to test, a vet visit may offer better value versus repeat home testing. Insurance may reimburse some or all of the vet costs depending on the plan. The investment could save precious treatment time and potential spread to other cats.
Home test results carry some uncertainty compared to veterinary office testing. Home tests work best for overtly sick cats clearly showing FeLV signs. They may produce false negatives in early infection stages before the virus replicates to detectable levels. Handling and storage errors can also skew results. Veterinary labs use higher quality diagnostic tools developed for optimal sensitivity and specificity. Repeat testing is less needed for accurate determination of FeLV status. A vet can also physical examine cats with ambiguous results and evaluate overall health. For cats in high-risk groups, vet testing offers peace of mind.
Your immunofluorescence test kits analyzed using specialized veterinary analyzers provide highly accurate results comparable to other advanced veterinary lab tests. The fluorescence technology looks for viral antigens in the blood rather than antibodies, allowing very early stage detection within just 2-3 weeks of infection versus 6 months for antibody tests. This minimizes false negatives. Your single use test cassettes and protocol ensure uncompromised samples. The dedicated veterinary machines precisely read results. With veterinary guidance on testing indications, using your FeLV testing products offers cats the optimal chance for early diagnosis and treatment intervention if needed.
While convenient, using only home rapid tests for FeLV is not recommended and could provide a false sense of security. The tests may miss early infections before the virus replicates enough to detect. Repeated testing adds up in cost versus one vet visit. More importantly, an infected cat could go undiagnosed and spread the virus to other vulnerable pets. For optimal accuracy and cat care, FeLV testing is best done by a veterinarian using advanced diagnostic methods. This helps avoid the risks and feelings of regret if an at-home test misses an infection.
References:
1. Hartmann, K. (2017). Feline leukaemia virus infection. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 47(6), 1123-1135.
2. Little, S. E. (2019). Feline infectious diseases: A veterinary perspective. Wiley-Blackwell.
3. Weiss, R. C., & Scott, F. W. (2018). Feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. In R. C. Weiss & F. W. Scott (Eds.), Feline medicine and surgery (pp. 131-142). Elsevier.
