SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test Kit - Frequently Asked Questions

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Questions:

Answers:

Why use SNAP in-house tests versus reference laboratory tests?

Our SNAP FIV/FeLV Test makes it easy to determine the status of cats during a brief appointment. You can screen for FIV and FeLV in one blood sample, and obtain results in 10 minutes.

It is OK to use the SNAP FIV/FeLV Test to test kittens?

Yes, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recommends testing all newly adopted cats and kittens for FIV and FeLV. (7,288 KB)

"The value of testing kittens is that they're almost always negative. The strength of that negative test is very powerful. I am concerned with delaying testing until six months means a lot of cats will never actually be tested... I have taken consult calls from other veterinarians on a handful of kittens that ultimately did prove to be persistently infected. Delaying testing until six months would allow these infected kittens to remain in a household, possibly exposing other cats."¹

If a cat under six months of age is negative for FIV, infection is unlikely. Kittens born to infected queens may test positive for antibody. Kittens tested before six months of age that are positive should be retested at 60-day intervals. If tests performed after six months of age are still confirmed positive, these kittens should be considered infected.²

If I am vaccinating for FIV/FeLV, what is the diagnostic protocol?

If the client chooses to vaccinate, the AAFP guidelines suggest that the cat be tested prior to vaccination.^3,4

Will the FIV vaccine from Fort Dodge result in a positive SNAP FIV result?

Yes, the FIV vaccination cross-reacts with the SNAP FIV/FeLV Test because the test detects FIV antibodies. There is no commercially available licensed test that can differentiate between the vaccine and natural infection.

1.	Levy JK, Crawford PC, Slater MR. Antibody responses to FIV vaccination. J Vet Intern Med. 2004;(18):386.
2.	AAFP. Report of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Retrovirus Testing and Management. 2005.
3.	AAFP. American Association of Feline Practitioner information brief: In response to inquiries regarding Fel-O-Vax® FIV; 2002. Available at: www.AAFPonline.org
4.	AAFP. American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines; 2000. Available at: www.AAFPonline.org

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