[iamamalia]

i recently took in a 10 wk old stray- brought it to the vet, and she tested + for FeLV on the "snap" test. i brought her back to the shelter for now- the lady there said she would have her tested with a blood sample that gets sent out to a lab- she said sometimes the snap test gives a false positive result.

i've been reading a lot online, and am wondering if anyone here has had any experience with this, and what the possibility of a false-positive is. i dont want to get my hopes up...

[Makohope]

I don't really have an answer or advised but I just found out my 6 month old Mako has Leukimia, since he has no symtomps, the doctor sugested we re-test him again in a month, the day after we found out he was positive he stood on a heavy box that came down and broke 4 of his toes, I rush him to an emergency vet and they sugeted either cast of plates on his toes, I call my vet and his answer was don't forget he has Leukimia, it may not be worth it to spend the money in the surgery, how can you possibly make a dessicion at that point, we had the plates put in 4,500 later we are home with aur baby, and can only hope he can be around for awhile, before the surgery they test him agin for a possitive result, all I can say is I will keep the hop[es up and enjoy every minute I spend with Mako he is the reason why my house is full of love
Good luck

[rg2prg]

I am given to understand that kittens under 4 months can test positive at first but develop an immunity to the virus and then test negative in a few months. One of the articles I've read says up to 70% can develop an immunity to the disease. Many leukemia positive cats never develop the disease even though they are carriers and still contageous to other cats, they can live long normal lives if protected from exposure to others.
I currently have a 3 year old leukemia positive cat who is doing very well. She developed an upper respiratory infection last week but has been treated and is recovering quite nicely.