Featured in the October 2011 Diagnostic Edge


ACVIM Abstracts Illustrate Increased Risk of FIV and FeLV in Cats with Oral Disease

Two important abstracts were presented at the 2011 ACVIM Forum in Denver, this past June. The studies—Seroprevalence of FeLV and FIV in Cats with Oral Disease1 and Prevalence and Risk Factors for FeLV, FIV, and Heartworm Infection in North American Cats2—both highlighted the increased risk of retrovirus in cats with oral disease.

 

    

 

In the two abstracts that were presented by Dr. Little and Dr. Levy, more than 70,000 cats were tested with compelling findings:

  • Overall, 1 in 7 tested cats with oral disease was positive for FIV, FeLV or heartworm.1,2
  • 7% of tested cats with gingivitis were positive for FeLV and 8% were positive for FIV.1,2
  • 12% of tested cats with stomatitis were positive for FeLV and 14% were positive for FIV.1,2

 

It makes good medical sense to incorporate infectious disease testing into your feline dental protocols. To help educate your clients and increase their compliance, we’ve also created a helpful client consent form. When more than 16,000 pet owners were offered the consent form for testing, 60% saw the value and said “Yes, test my cat.”3 You can download the free consent form at idexx.com/60yes.

 

We hope you will continue to promote testing of kittens and new cats as well as sick and at-risk cats according to the AAFP Retrovirus Guidelines (PDF).

 

 
References
1.
Bellows J, Lachtara J, Scherk M, Little S. Seroprevalence of FeLV and FIV in Cats with Oral Disease. Paper presented at: 2011 ACVIM Forum; June 15–18, 2011; Denver, Colorado.
2.
Levy JK, Scott HM, Crandall MM, Tucker SJ, Wood EG, Strout JD. Prevalence and Risk Factors for FeLV, FIV, and Heartworm Infection In North American Cats. Paper presented at: 2011 ACVIM Forum; June 15–18, 2011; Denver, Colorado.
3.
Data on file at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Westbrook, Maine USA.