WHY USE THE SALIVA TEST FOR FELINE LEUKEMIA DIAGNOSIS?
Diagnostic tests can detect all three types of feline leukemia virus but can’t distinguish between them. Blood Elisa FELV tests detect antigens to FELV but does not indicate whether the virus has incased itself into the bone marrow and white blood cells. The cat’s immune system may still reject the virus leaving it negative in 1-2 months. The saliva Elisa will be positive if the virus has progressed to invade the tissues and indicates that the cat is now shedding the virus. ELISA detects antigens in the saliva, 1-2 months after exposure, which is 2-4 weeks later than it detects antigens in the blood. Blood ELISA can detect FELV antigens early in the course of the infection but does not indicate that it has invaded the bone marrow. Both the saliva ELISA and IFA indicate the virus has progressed to a more infective stage in the salivary glands or tissues, which is not true with blood testing. Blood ELISA can cause more positive results that soon will be negative when the pet’s immune sys
