A little background: My 6 year old female Dagny started losing weight rapidly and not eating. Vet wanted to test for FIV first as a precaution. I agreed and the FIV snap test was initiated. Meanwhile, the vet noticed signs of jaundice and recommended running some bloodwork to look at Dagny’s liver function. The vet suggested going ahead and treating her liver while we waited on the bloodwork and sent us home with antibiotics and steroids. Bloodwork confirmed Cholangiohepatitis the next day. In the last week Dag’s appetite is almost back to normal and she seems to be recovering. Whew!
Back to the FIV test. The test the vet used was the SNAP FIV/FeLV combo test. She timed it for exactly 10 minutes and when time was up, the test was negative. However, one minute after the vet checked the test, a dot indicating a positive result appeared. Technically, it would still be considered a negative result since it appeared after the time limit, but the vet was concerned, felt that the timing was suspicious, and wants to retest in 12 weeks.
Now I have been researching and have read that the test is sensitive and that timing is crucial so a dot showing up after time is not necessarily rare or concerning. Through my reading I have grown comfortable with the initial results of the test and am starting to have second thoughts about retesting. I am beginning to think that my vet might be acting a little overly cautious, and although I have no issues testing her again if necessary, I am hesitant to pay $100 and put her through another stressful visit, if all we are going to do is confirm what we already know.
For what its worth, Dagny has been through the shelter system twice in her life and was tested both times for FIV, both negative. With us she has been strictly indoors and all of our other cats have been tested, negative.
Again, I have no issues retesting if needed but it’s starting to look like overkill to me at this point. Is a dot appearing after the 10 minutes concerning or is it a normal condition of the test?
