SNAP® FIV/FeLV Combo Test

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus/Feline Leukaemia Virus

The AAFP Guidelines for Testing (PDF) recommend testing all at-risk cats, sick cats and kittens to determine infection status.

When it comes to their cats’ health, your clients don’t want to miss a thing. In fact, 80% of cat owners said they would pay for this test if their veterinarians recommended it.¹

The SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test makes it easy to screen for infection during a brief appointment.

Reference

1.

The Information Specialists, Inc. Pet Owner Needs: A summary of research information concerning pet owners and veterinary care. 1993.

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Benefits
Accuracy
How To/Resources
FAQs

Combines benefits for your patients and your practice

Screen for both FIV and FeLV using just one blood sample.
Choose the sample that is most convenient for you: serum, plasma or anticoagulated whole blood.
SNAP® ELISA technology delivers accurate, in-house results in 10 minutes.
Interpret results with confidence—the patented bidirectional flow ELISA platform provides a clear, easy to read signal.
Use the time while the test is running to consult with pet owners on other medical needs, providing a more valuable patient visit.
Effective care and management can help infected cats live long, healthy lives.

Compliance Tip

By offering each of your clients the opportunity to screen for FIV/FeLV, you’re giving them a comprehensive picture of their pets’ health. Here are some ways to improve client compliance:

Develop a standard clinic protocol for FIV/FeLV testing.
Include FIV/FeLV testing on reminder cards for all cats receiving an FeLV vaccine.
Offer an FIV/FeLV observation form (PDF) and client brochure (PDF) to every cat owner who enters the clinic.
Support education on testing with client brochures and posters available through IDEXX.
Initiate a discussion with your clients about their pets’ environments, personalities and habits to determine if their cats have been exposed.

Trustworthy results for confident decisions

The SNAP® FIV/FeLV Combo Test is an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukAemia virus in feline serum, plasma or anticoagulated whole blood.

FIV (Antibody)
The SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test is a rapid immunoassay for detection of specific antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in feline serum, plasma or anticoagulated whole blood. FIV is known as the “fighting cat disease” because it is transmitted through fighting and biting. A positive test result indicates that a cat has been circulating FIV antibody and therefore likely infected.

FeLV (Antigen)
The SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test is a rapid immunoassay for detection of feline leukAemia virus (FeLV) antigen in feline serum, plasma or anticoagulated whole blood. FeLV is known as the “friendly cat disease” because it is transmitted primarily through prolonged casual contact, as well as through fighting and biting. This rapid immunoassay detects the presence of FeLV p27 antigen, which if found is diagnostic for FeLV infection.

SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test Sensitivity and Specificity

Sensitivity and Specificity are based on visual interpretation of SNAP results.
CL = confidence limit

Resources and support materials for the SNAP® FIV/FeLV Combo Test

It’s easy to use the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test:

1.

Dispense 3 drops of sample and 4 drops of conjugate into a disposable sample tube.

2.

Gently invert the sample tube 4–5 times to mix.

3.

Pour the entire contents of the sample tube into the sample well of a SNAP® device.

4.

When colour first appears in the activation circle, press firmly to activate. You will hear a distinct “snap.”

5.

Read the test result 10 minutes from the time of activation.

View the package insert (PDF) for detailed instructions.

Sample Information

Samples must be at room temperature (15°–30°C) before beginning the test procedure.
Serum, plasma or anticoagulated whole blood (e.g., EDTA, heparin), either fresh or stored at 2°–8°C for up to one week, can be used.
For longer storage, serum or plasma can be frozen (-20°C or colder) and then recentrifuged before use.
Haemolysed or lipaemic samples will not affect results.

Interpreting Results

Resource List

SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test Package Insert

FIV/FeLV Observation Form

FIV/FeLV Negative Results Client Handout

FIV/FeLV Positive Results Client Handout

Frequently asked questions about the SNAP® FIV/FeLV Combo Test

SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test | FIV/FeLV

SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test Questions and Answers:

What is the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test?

The SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test screens cats for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen.

What is the positioning of the test spots on the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test?

What is the read time for the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test?

The read time is 10 minutes.

What type of samples can be used on the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test?

Serum, plasma or anticoagulated whole blood can be utilised to perform the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test.

Will the FIV vaccine from Fort Dodge result in a positive SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test result?

Yes, the FIV vaccination cross-reacts with the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test because the test detects FIV antibodies. There is no commercially available, licensed test that can differentiate between the vaccine and natural infection.

My SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test has been out of the foil package for the day. Can I still use it?

The SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test, and any other SNAP® test, must be used within two hours of removing it from the foil package.

FIV/FeLV Disease Questions and Answers:

Is it OK to use the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test to test kittens?

Yes, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) (PDF) recommends testing all newly adopted cats and kittens for FIV and FeLV.

“The value of testing kittens is that they’re almost always negative. The strength of that negative test is very powerful. I am concerned with delaying testing until six months means a lot of cats will never actually be tested... I have taken consult calls from other veterinarians on a handful of kittens that ultimately did prove to be persistently infected. Delaying testing until six months would allow these infected kittens to remain in a household, possibly exposing other cats.”¹

If a cat under 6 months of age is negative for FIV, infection is unlikely. Kittens born to infected queens may test positive for antibody. Kittens tested before 6 months of age that are positive should be retested at 60-day intervals. If tests performed after 6 months of age are still confirmed positive, these kittens should be considered infected.²

References

1.

Levy JK, Crawford PC, Slater MR. Antibody responses to FIV vaccination. J Vet Intern Med. 2004;(18):386.

2.

American Association of Feline Practitioners. Report of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management. Hillsborough, NJ: American Association of Feline Practitioners; Academy of Feline Medicine; 2005.

If I am vaccinating for FIV/FeLV, what is the diagnostic protocol?

If the client chooses to vaccinate, the AAFP guidelines suggest that the cat be tested prior to vaccination.^1,2

References

1.

American Association of Feline Practitioners. American Association of Feline Practitioners information brief: In response to inquiries regarding Fel-O-Vax® FIV. Hillsborough, NJ: American Association of Feline Practitioners; Academy of Feline Medicine; 2002.

2.

American Association of Feline Practitioners. American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel: Feline Vaccines. Hillsborough, NJ: American Association of Feline Practitioners; Academy of Feline Medicine; 2006.

Will the FIV vaccine from Fort Dodge result in a positive FIV result when using the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test?

Yes, the FIV vaccination cross-reacts with the FIV test because the test detects FIV antibodies. There is no commercially available, licensed test that can differentiate between the vaccine and natural infection.

What is the sensitivity and specificity of the SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test?

SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test Sensitivity and Specificity