I really want to adopt in the future, especially more cats, but I worry about things like mentioned above because I already have healthy happy cats at home. Please answer if you know for sure. I'd appreciate help and advice (especially from multiple cat owners who've adopted) so that I can rest assured.
Thank you!
2007-07-30 02:38:56 · 6 answers · asked by vmp009 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
All the shelters where I volunteered testing for feline leukemia before putting a cat up for adoption. Those were both very small and very large shelters. Cats and kittens who test positive are pretty routinely euthanized and not made available for adoption.
I think all shelters and animal control agencies keep records on cats and dogs - health tests given, shots, worming, etc. If not, you can have your veterinarian run the test and you could return the cat if positive before taking it to join your cats.
When I rescued a cat this fall the first stop on the way home was the vet who gave the tests for HIV and leukemia. You get the results immediately.
2007-07-30 03:34:02 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can ask your vet as to what the % is for feline leukemia in your city. It's usually not a big percentage of the population.
The Snap test (Elisha test) can confirm a yes or no on leukemia with your vet--ask the humane society when any particular cat was tested there, then have a second test done a month after that initial test, anything missed by the first that may be developing in the cat would show up on the second test. You can have it done before you take the cat home, which should calm any fears about FeLV.
2007-07-30 17:23:59 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can ask the Humane Society if the animal has been tested for Feline Leukemia already or not. It is possible they may have tested it before. If the cat has not been tested, then you cannot tell without paying to have a blood sample taken and tested in a lab. You vet would usually do this, although the Humane Society may be able to do it for you as well.
I have adopted a cat from the humane society, but I am not certain if he had been tested for that. He was perfectly fine, however, and I still have him. At least some of the humane societies do have a rule of testing their animals for this before they adopt them out, so it is quite possible that your cat will have been tested already. You will simply have to ask them to see if they do that or not.
2007-07-30 02:42:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I work at a Humane Society and we test all cats as they come into the shelter for Feline Leukemia and FIV, I'm pretty sure most do because it can bet very dangerous and easily spread between the cats. You can ask and if they haven't done it, they may be able to do it for you.
2007-07-30 03:54:50 · answer #4 · answered by kim 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The feline leukemia test is usually too expensive for a humane society to be able to afford to administer on every cat they have. Humane Society locations usually do have a clinic that offers lower cost treatments, surgeries, etc. You can pay the humane society to have the cat you want to purchase blood tested so you know before you decide to take him or her home.
2007-07-30 02:45:25 · answer #5 · answered by Bex13 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
most places test for feline leukemia before they intake a cat (otherwise they jeopardize all the kitties in the cattery). If you are thinking of getting another kitty you may want to vaccinate your kitty at home for feline leukemia as well. Good Luck to you!
2007-07-30 03:03:37 · answer #6 · answered by mikeluvsginger 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋