FEL-O-VAX FIV VACCINE

Re: FEL-O-VAX FIV VACCINE

Glenn Hodgson — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 20:29:50 GMT

Fully comfortable NOT trying to import the vaccine. Thanks all.

Re: FEL-O-VAX FIV VACCINE

James Allsop — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:26:25 GMT

for reference:

Addie et al 2000 Long term impact on a closed household of pet cats of natural infection with feline coronavirus, feline leukaemia virus and feline imunodeficiency virus. Veterinary Record 146 419-424.

quote from lecture notes by Diane Addie "Closed household of 26 cats observed over 12 years % of cats infected with FIV rose steadily to 100% despite the absence of aggression. FIV transmission must have taken place by sharing of food bowls or mutual grooming."

I agree that a single study should be interpreted carefully but i found the conclusions of interest.

Re: FEL-O-VAX FIV VACCINE

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 16:36:39 GMT

[quote user="James Allsop"]A study by D Addie on a closed multicat household with initially 1 FIV+ve cats found that after 10years all of the cats had become FIV+ve although the route of transmission was not identified and the owners reported no overt fighting behaviour in the group.[/quote] If true it may temper my advice I give to owners but did it suggest whether these were indoor or cats allowed outdoors? If the latter, the source of FIV for cat one may have been the source for the others i.e. the un-neutered Tom next door! As the other James suggests only a limited survey but worth considering although I would have thought that if there are alternative sources of transmission we would see more cats with FIV other than the huge bias to un-neutered male cats that habitually fight.

Re: FEL-O-VAX FIV VACCINE

James Laidlaw — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 16:16:14 GMT

[quote user="James Allsop"]owners reported no overt fighting behaviour in the group[/quote]

Key phrase. Interesting though - I assume could be salival transmission, but I wouldn't rule out small bites or scratches - but one household and n = ? doesn't make for high value study info.

Re: FEL-O-VAX FIV VACCINE

James Allsop — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 13:48:35 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]most cats in the same household don't fight so it is unlikely to be transmitted[/quote]

A study by D Addie on a closed multicat household with initially 1 FIV+ve cats found that after 10years all of the cats had become FIV+ve although the route of transmission was not identified and the owners reported no overt fighting behaviour in the group.

Re vaccination I was under the impression that FIV vaccine had failed to demonstrate high efficacy which is why it is not available in UK, although work is still ongoing so new evidence may be available?

Re: FEL-O-VAX FIV VACCINE

Anthony Dennison — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 13:34:33 GMT

I think I can remember from university one of the clinicians saying something similar to Martin. Also when it comes to licensing things in the USA, they only have to demonstrate that they are safe, not effective.

Re: FEL-O-VAX FIV VACCINE

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 11:23:32 GMT

Don't know the full answers to the questions but AFAIA the FIV serovars in the USA are different to those here so there is no guarantee it will work and is I believe one reason other than questions over its overall efficacy/safety as to why there is not an FIV vaccine in the UK. However, my advice to pet owners in this situation is that as FIV is as far as we know only transmitted through bites, most cats in the same household don't fight so it is unlikely to be transmitted, just keep the affected cat indoors so it doesn't fight with strangers.