AAFP cites disconnect between diagnostics, FIV vaccination

Albuquerque, N.M.-

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) warns against a new feline immunodeficiency (FIV) vaccine, not because it doesn't work, but because current antibody-based diagnostic tests don't differentiate between vaccinated cats and those infected with the disease, the group reports.

Fort Dodge Animal Health's Fel-O-Vax® FIV gets an antibody responseto the virus, but AAFP says those antibodies cause a positive result incurrent, widely used FIV diagnostic tests. (SNAP® Feline combo, Petcheck®FIV Ab plates and Western blot).

Fort Dodge Animal Health backs its product, released in July, in a writtenresponse to DVM Newsmagazine: "Testing is a medical decision that isbest left up to the practitioner to decide what makes sense for that particularpatient If for whatever reason testing is not performed on an at-risk cat,proper documentation should be noted in the permanent record of the clientand vaccination should be performed."

AAFP also questions the vaccine's efficacy, largely because "realworld" exposure studies weren't done, and writes, "Laboratorychallenges of the kind required by (the United States Department of Agriculture)provide necessary and valuable information, but for reasons of practicalityand expense, they may not reflect vaccine performance in the field."

Fort Dodge maintains its product is safe and effective. "Accordingto AAFP, up to one in 12 cats will test positive for FIV. This vaccine willprotect those lives."