Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Seroprevalences of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in cats with abscesses or bite wounds and rate of veterinarian compliance with current guidelines for retrovirus testing.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Goldkamp, Carrie E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
In a study involving nearly 1,000 cats with bite wounds or abscesses, researchers looked at how many were infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). They found that only about 10% of the cats had known virus status before treatment, while nearly 20% tested positive for one or both viruses at the time of treatment. Factors like being an adult male cat, having a history of wounds, and spending time outdoors were linked to a higher chance of being infected. Although veterinarians were encouraged to retest these cats about two months later, only a small number actually followed through with the retesting. The study highlighted that many cats with injuries were likely infected and that more effort is needed to ensure proper testing for these viruses.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalences of and seroconversion rates for FeLV and FIV infection in cats treated for bite wounds and cutaneous abscesses and to evaluate compliance with recommendations to determine the retrovirus infection status of cats at acquisition and 60 days after a high-risk event. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 967 cats from 134 veterinary practices in 30 states. PROCEDURES: Cats with bite wounds or abscesses were evaluated by use of a point-of-care immunoassay for blood-borne FeLV antigen and FIV antibody. Veterinarians were asked to retest cats approximately 60 days later to determine whether seronegative cats had seroconverted after injury. RESULTS: The combined FeLV-FIV status of only 96 (9.9%) cats was known prior to wound treatment. At the time of treatment, 187 (19.3%) cats were seropositive for 1 or both viruses. Age (adult), sex (male), history of cutaneous wounds, and outdoor access were significantly associated with seropositivity. At 73 of 134 (54.5%) veterinary practices, retesting of cats for retrovirus infection status was recommended to owners of 478 cats. Only 64 (13.4%) cats were retested; of these, 3 of 58 (5.2%) cats that were initially seronegative for FIV antibody seroconverted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A high proportion of cats with abscesses or bite wounds were seropositive for FeLV antigen or FIV antibody. Compliance with recommendations to test cats for retrovirus infection status at acquisition or after treatment for injury was low. The FeLV-FIV infection status of cats with potential fight wounds should be determined at time of treatment and again 60 days later.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18412524/