Is a kitten’s negative test for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) reliable? Probably, says Dr. Annette Litster.

From a Q&A that was a follow-up to her 2013 Maddie’s Institute webcast, Update on FIV –  What Every Shelter Needs to Know:

Negative FIV antibody results are highly reliable for the detection of uninfected cats, but false positive results can occur in kittens younger than 6 months of age due to maternally derived antibodies.

In the FIV transmission study I presented in the webcast, only 1 of the 8 FIV antibody-positive cats was tested for the first time at  younger than 6 months old. That cat was 5 months old at the first test and 33 months old at the second test. Both test results were positive.

Thirty of the 45 FIV antibody-negative cats in the study were tested for the first time at younger than 6 months old; all remained FIV antibody-negative at the second test.

Read the complete Q&A here; watch the archived webcast here.