Kitty AIDS (FIV)

I wonder how many cat owners are getting the AIDS vaccine for their
cats?

Dan M...

That's not something I plan on!

The reading I've done suggests that after a cat receives the FIV vaccine,
they will test positive on FIV tests. Likewise FIP vaccines.

Since local animal shelters test all incoming animals for FIV and FIP and
immediately destroy any animals who test positive, I'd be afraid to get
those vaccinations for my kitties.

jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt...

Wow. I never thought of that. I haven't considered getting the FIV
vaccine for Smudge anyway, but now I certainly won't!

What about the FeLV vaccine? Does that work the same way? Would she
test positive for that, since I did get her vaccinated for it?

Phil P....

No. The FeLV vaccine does not produce false-positive test results. The FeLV
test detects viral antigen.not antibodies.

The FIV test detects antibodies to FIV-- which will produce a false-positive
in FIV-vaccinated cats. Kittens less than 8 months can also test false

jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt...

I don't see why I would have a cat vaccinated for FIV, since it is very
hard to transmit, unless the cat is known to regularly get into fights
with potentially infected cats.

positive due to maternally-derived antibodies from FIV-vaccinated or
FIV-infected queens without being infected. The risks associated with the
FIV vaccine far outweigh the benefits.

There is no serologic test specific for FIP. An FCoV antibody titer cannot
distinguish benign FECV from FIP. The FIP vaccine is useless and may

NMR...

That is the main reason you get your cat microchipped so they can contact
the vet and see what medical information is available. But about the
vaccination causing a positive reaction I am going to have to check that out
It does not sound right but I could be wrong but I will check it out

actually make cats more susceptible to FIP.

Enfilade...

We are not. Ours never go outside, and are unlikely to get outside
because even if they get out the front door, we live in an apartment
complex with doors at each end of the hall. All four have been tested
negative for FIV, and the odds of them ever contacting it in here are
low.

From what I understand, it was developed here at the University of
California, Davis and has been used for several years in Australia, but
has not yet been widely accepted in the USA.

My vet wasn't giving it because he wanted to get more long term data,
but FIV is such an epidemic in this area that he changed his mind and
now offers the shots.

One of my cats recently contracted FIV and died. He was about four
years old, and even though he had been neutered young, he was very
territorial and a fighter. It was through fighting that he caught the
disease.

I had my other two cats tested and they were negative, so I got them
vaccinated. It's three shots over several weeks and cost about $60 for
the series.