Re: Need advice please

[Jennifer Phaewryn O'Gwynn]

No. Saliva tests are not accurate. For that matter, even professionally run
blood tests have false results occasionally. This was discussed in depth not
too long ago, check the archives for anything with ELISA,SNAP, or FELV
testing in the subject.

Phaewryn

Please save Whitey! http://ucat.us/Whitey.html
VT low cost Spay&Neuter, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners:
http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.html
Special Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html

Re: Need advice please

[Nina]

Hi Pat,
What is your situation with these ferals?  Are you giving them sanctuary 
and need to know their status for separate housing purposes, or are you 
planing to release those that test neg?  What would you do with any that 
test pos?  I don't have any experience with the "saliva" tests you 
mention, but I do know that the snap test ELISAs are notorious for false 
pos.  I wouldn't determine the fate of any healthy appearing cat on any 
test without being prepared to retest in 6 mos for a more accurate 
determination.  Even a true pos result doesn't necessarily indicate that 
the cat will remain felv pos, esp when testing kittens.  Being someone 
that cares enough to research, you probably are already aware of this, 
but while we're on the subject of testing kittens...  Please don't take 
the short cut that so many rescues and vets suggest of testing only one 
kitten per litter.  Sometimes the blood of all the kittens is mixed and 
then tested as well.  Each cat must be tested separately, even if one 
kitten tests pos, it doesn't mean they all will.  I have no idea what 
your situation is, thank you for doing your best to help them.  
Obviously you are working hard to be responsible when so many humans are 
not.


Many TNR programs forgo the testing process all together with 
asymptomatic cats.  There is an excellent article on the reasoning 
behind this that I'll look for if you're interested.

Nina

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Pat,
I have read that the saliva test is not as accurate yet.  In fact, I 
didn't realize they were marketing it at this point.  I can't quote 
percentages or remember where I came across that in my reading - 
perhaps some of those more expert on the list will add what they know.


elizabeth
 
*Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.*
 
 
-Original Message-

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 2:52 PM
Subject: Need advice please

I posted yesterday knowing full well everybody was 
SHOPPING.   Hopefully today is better for computer time.  We have a 
number of feral cats on which we need to determine Felv status, 
therefore we are looking for in-home test kits. I searched 
the archives of FelvTalk but got myself really confused (not unusual). 
 
I notice on line that different in-home kits are available 
(Revival even carries two).  Of course what I want is 
reliability.  So my big question:  is the saliva test as reliable as 
the blood test for diagnosing Felv?Does anyone have a 
recommendation of brand and source?  I would deeply appreciate advice 
from others who know more than I (which is almost nothing!).   Thanks, 
Pat in WI


*Check out the new AOL* 
. 
Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access 
to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail 
and more.

Re: Need advice please

[[EMAIL PROTECTED]]

Thanks Elizabeth.  I was kind of afraid that would be true.  I do want to use 
what's accurate.  Nest, Pat


- Original Message - 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org 
Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: Need advice please


Pat,
I have read that the saliva test is not as accurate yet.  In fact, I didn't 
realize they were marketing it at this point.  I can't quote percentages or 
remember where I came across that in my reading - perhaps some of those more 
expert on the list will add what they know.

elizabeth


*Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.*

 
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 2:52 PM
Subject: Need advice please


I posted yesterday knowing full well everybody was SHOPPING.   Hopefully today 
is better for computer time.  We have a number of feral cats on which we need 
to determine Felv status, therefore we are looking for in-home test kits. I 
searched the archives of FelvTalk but got myself really confused (not unusual). 
 

I notice on line that different in-home kits are available (Revival even 
carries two).  Of course what I want is reliability.  So my big question:  is 
the saliva test as reliable as the blood test for diagnosing Felv?Does 
anyone have a recommendation of brand and source?  I would deeply appreciate 
advice from others who know more than I (which is almost nothing!).   Thanks, 
Pat in WI



Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security 
tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free 
AOL Mail and more.






No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.6/565 - Release Date: 12/2/2006

Re: Need advice please

[etrent]

 Pat,
 I have read that the saliva test is not as accurate yet. In fact, I didn't 
realize they were marketing it at this point. I can't quote percentages or 
remember where I came across that in my reading - perhaps some of those more 
expert on the list will add what they know.
 
 elizabeth
*Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.*   
 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
 Sent: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 2:52 PM
 Subject: Need advice please
 
  I posted yesterday knowing full well everybody was SHOPPING. Hopefully today 
is better for computer time. We have a number of feral cats on which we need to 
determine Felv status, therefore we are looking for in-home test kits. I 
searched the archives of FelvTalk but got myself really confused (not unusual). 
   I notice on line that different in-home kits are available (Revival even 
carries two). Of course what I want is reliability. So my big question: is the 
saliva test as reliable as the blood test for diagnosing Felv? Does anyone have 
a recommendation of brand and source? I would deeply appreciate advice from 
others who know more than I (which is almost nothing!). Thanks, Pat in WI


Check out the new AOL.  Most comprehensive set of free safety and security 
tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free 
AOL Mail and more.