When should a kitten be tested for FIV FeLV?

Kittens should only be tested if they are above 8 months of age.

Can FIV go undetected?

Cats positive for FIV can live many years without any signs of disease. Most FeLV cats succumb to disease after only 1-3 years, but some live longer without any signs. Vaccines – If a cat is vaccinated against FIV, the screening tests cannot distinguish between a FIV vaccinated cat and a true FIV positive cat.

What does a negative FIV test mean for a kitten?

A negative FIV test should be confirmed, but for all intents and purposes, a negative FIV test in a kitten strongly suggests that the cat is not infected with the virus. FeLV is spread to cats through direct contact, such as licking, grooming, fighting and sharing food bowls, water bowls and cat litter boxes.

Is there a way to test for FeLV in cats?

The virus can also be transmitted from mother to kittens. How do we test for FeLV? A simple in-house blood test, often called a “snap” test, can be performed to test for FeLV. If the test is positive, it could mean that the cat has FeLV or that the test could be wrong.

How old are my kittens when they get their shots?

I found an orphaned kitten, which the vet has judged to be between 4-5 weeks old. I have four full-grown cats who are not up to date on their shots, although they completed all their first-year shots. They range in age from 4-5 years old, and are strictly indoor cats. I keep the baby in a carrier away from the other cats.

When to start taking care of stray kittens?

Begin litter training. Once a kitten is 4 weeks old you can start teaching them how to use a little box. If a kitten starts looking for a place to go to the bathroom before 4 weeks of age, you can try putting out a little box even earlier. Use a very shallow box for kittens.

How can I tell if my kittens are strays?

A good clue is to look at the kittens’ physical appearance. If they look well-fed, then that means the mother is still caring for them. Yet, you might feel worried that perhaps she got hit by a car or had an accident because the little ones look like they skipped a meal or two. That is a legitimate worry.

A negative FIV test should be confirmed, but for all intents and purposes, a negative FIV test in a kitten strongly suggests that the cat is not infected with the virus. FeLV is spread to cats through direct contact, such as licking, grooming, fighting and sharing food bowls, water bowls and cat litter boxes.

Is it OK to feed a cold stray kitten?

Some stray kittens, especially those found on their own, are very chilled. An important feline rescue rule states that one must never feed a cold kitten. Test for warmth by feeling the ears, inside of the mouth and paw pads.

When should a kitten be tested for FIV FELV?

Kittens should only be tested if they are above 8 months of age.

What does it mean if your cat has blood in its stool?

Blood in your cat’s stool can appear bright red. Blood in your cat’s stool can also look very dark red or black and tarrylooking. Bright red blood in stool (hematochezia) is fresh and black blood is older—it appears black because it’s been digested or partially digested by the cat. Black or tarry looking stool is an emergency.

How often should you check your cat’s blood work?

It depends on what the numbers are. Generally, we like to check the lab work once a year, depending on the kitty’s age, to see where the numbers are going. And other than that, it depends on what the results are. If you notice kidney disease, we like to monitor those values periodically.

What kind of blood work can you do on a kitten?

The four most common types of feline blood work we order are: This is a common test for kittens and cats, especially those coming from unknown origins. These viruses are interspecies contagious and life threatening, so we recommend feline bloodwork to test for both if you adopt, find or take in a new kitten or cat.

How can you tell if a cat has kidney failure?

On a urinalysis, dilute urine would suggest kidney failure, especially if the bloodwork shows elevated BUN and creatinine. Protein may also be present in the urine. Because hypertension can cause kidney failure, a veterinarian may also take a cat’s blood pressure to help confirm a kidney failure diagnosis. What Are The Stages Of Kidney Failure?

Blood in your cat’s stool can appear bright red. Blood in your cat’s stool can also look very dark red or black and tarrylooking. Bright red blood in stool (hematochezia) is fresh and black blood is older—it appears black because it’s been digested or partially digested by the cat. Black or tarry looking stool is an emergency.

When to worry about your cat’s bowel movements?

You should contact your vet if your cat’s bowel movements are abnormal for a few days, even if you don’t see blood in the stool. Dealing with the GI problem can prevent blood from appearing in the stool. If your cat’s poop has been normal and you see some blood one time, watch your cat closely for the next day or two.

How often should you grade your cat’s poop?

If your cat has abnormal stools, you can “grade” the feces. Grading the fecal quality and estimating the quantity can help your veterinarian more quickly, and correctly, diagnose your cat’s condition. Most cats defecate once daily. The odor shouldn’t knock you out.

How can you tell if your cat has coccidia?

If your cat is infected with coccidia, the symptoms can vary. In adult cats, there may be no signs of infection, while in kittens the symptoms can be more serious. The most common symptom is diarrhea; in severe situations, the diarrhea can be accompanied by blood in the stool. The good news is that coccidiosis is a very treatable condition.