Puzzling FIV Test Results

[csonsini]

My vet is fairly certain that our cat, Chester, has intestinal lymphoma and
complete bloodwork was done on him before he was started on the
leukaran/prednisone treatment. She said that his FIV results came back
"weak positive".
Now, he has had bloodwork done at least 4-5 times since he first joined
our household in 2001. All those times he was FIV negative.
He is a strictly indoor cat, although, the day before Thanksgiving he
accidentally got out for a very short time. When I came home and found him he was lounging very comfortably in the driveway. Because of his
relaxed demeanor I feel certain that he did not have a fight with any
of the outdoor cats. I've seen how a cat acts after getting in a fight...he was the complete opposite.
He has never been vaccinated for FIV so that can't be the cause of the
current results.
Does anyone know what could cause this "weak positive"? Could it
simply be a false negative?
Thanks

[Traci]

If your vet only did a snap-test for FELV/FIV, and a weak positive resulted, then she needs to also do a ELISA-specific or western blot to an outside lab for confirmation. If another positive results, then retest in 4-6 weeks. If your vet is uncertain how to interpret the results, I strongly advise seeing a more experienced, feline-only vet.

Were x-rays or ultrasound in combination with feline serology ever done to confirm the lymphoma? Was an exploratory ever considered?

Without additional testing, it's impossible to confirm either. While the virus or bacterial infection/fever and weight loss you posted in other posts, are concerning, you do need additional testing to confirm. If Chester is in fact, positive for FIV, then you need to get him frequently examined and checked for associated secondary bacterial infections, keep him on an appropriate diet for GI tract problems/digestibility, and rule out bacterial infections. Remember that other primary health conditions can surface as a result of FIV immunosuppression, so it's important to monitor him frequently, with bloodwork (i.e., kidney, liver, thyroid function, as well as toxoplasmosis, or fungal disease, etc). I'd also suggest you get your other cat(s) tested.

[csonsini]

I brought Chester to the vet (not my regular vet, she was off that day)
at the end of November because he had had diarrhea for a few days.
The vet was palpitating his abdomen and felt something so he suggested
an x-ray, which revealed a "mass" or thickening. This vet said that it was cancer right off the bat and, since I wasn't comfortable with his snap judgement, I had a follow-up with my regular vet. She did an ultrasound and said that, besides the growth, his lymph nodes were swollen.
She suggested a cortisone injection because if the mass reduced in size
that would indicate intestinal lymphoma and help determine treatment.
2 weeks after the cortisone she checked him and said that it had definitely reduced in size and that was when he was started on leukaran/prenisone.
His bloodwork comes back fine, with the exceptions being an elevated white blood cell count and low red blood cells. Yesterday they did
a CBC and both were back within normal range. I have an appointment
in 2 months for another FIV test.
I am also taking him to see a different vet who specializes in alternative treatments for animals with cancer. I'm anxious to see what she has
to offer.
Thanks

[Traci]

Please get Chester to a feline-only vet or a feline oncologist for proper diagnosis. Based on your posts, it doesn't sound like either of the vets can confirm anything. Please, get to a feline oncologist and get a full ultrasound done, perhaps an immunological profile (serology) done. Treating blindly while "assuming" cancer is not the solution.

Also, don't waste your time or money on any "alternative vet", since they will not properly utilize tests or diagnose appropriately, you and Chester will suffer incomplete diagnosis, wasted time, and inappropriate/questionable "treatment" with dubious treatments or medications, this isn't in Chester's best interests. There is NO alternative treatment for cancer, and if any vet claims there is, you are being ripped off while Chester suffers.

A qualified feline-only vet or feline oncologist is specialized in cancer diagnosis and treatment, don't settle for anything less, get a full ultrasound done and discuss reliable treatment options. You don't even know if this is cancer, you must see a vet who is qualified to diagnose and rule out other problems that may be mimicking this. If lymphoma is confirmed with appropriate tests, then the oncologist will discuss with you treatment options,...but I strongly advise and warn you, an alternative vet is not going to help Chester...a qualified feline oncologist is in his best interests.

[csonsini]

Thank you, Traci, for your reply. I must, however, take umbrage at
your suggestion that alternative treatments are a waste of time.I have seen far too many cases where alternative treatments were used for cancer in both animals and humans with wonderful results.

The vet that I am going to see is incredibly well respected in both allopathic and alternative veterinary circles.

I appreciate your opinion but, in my opinion, pumping Chester full
of toxic medication is NOT the only way to treat him.

I'm just curious: are you a vet?

[Traci]

Thank you, Traci, for your reply. I must, however, take umbrage at
your suggestion that alternative treatments are a waste of time.I have seen far too many cases where alternative treatments were used for cancer in both animals and humans with wonderful results.

What results exactly? Were the modalities fully researched in controlled studies and clinical trials? What modalities were used and is there published, unbiased material to support it's use and efficacy?

Or, are the results only anecdotal?

The vet that I am going to see is incredibly well respected in both allopathic and alternative veterinary circles.

Ok, but respect in the circles does not equal scientific evidence or overwhelming support of the modalities used, not to mention appropriate regulation of the modality used.

I appreciate your opinion but, in my opinion, pumping Chester full
of toxic medication is NOT the only way to treat him.

You may be surprised to learn that many of the "alternative" modalities are equally as toxic, since many "prescribed" do in fact contain harmful substances of the original substance, or adulterated, or replaced with other unkown ingredients and properties. If they are unregulated substances, then owner beware, proceed at your own risk. That's not a risk I ever suggest to cat owners. Many of the products claimed to "prevent, treat or cure" by alternative vets are simply anecdotal, and have not been properly tested or approved for use in animals (or humans for that matter). An equal number of the claims carry no significance whatsoever and are in fact, fraudulent, a waste of time and money for the pet owner. (homeopathy is a perfect example, there is NO proof homeopathy works, but there is proof it and other modalites can seriously harm when the patient fails to recieve proper medical treatment for a condition that can be treated appropriately with known, researched, approved medications). Alternative vets can get away with this because to date, there are minimal (if at all) regulations to prohibit them from practicing alternative medicine, since the substances they use are not regulated.

Sometimes, those toxic medications, like chemotherapy, save lives, because they have been researched, are approved, and because they work in an overwhelming majority of cases. A majority of cancers in pets can be effectively treated and do not cause many of the symptoms it may cause in humans. Cancer treatment protocols vary per pet, per condition, and per tolerance. It is never a one-size-fits-all approach.

I'm not saying you should, in fact, proceed with chemotherapy. First, you have a condition that in my opinion, based on your posts, has not been properly confirmed. Second, I strongly suggest you seek a qualified feline oncologist to determine if Chester has neoplasia at all, and if so, then he can discuss with you treatment options. If you decline treatment, then you have to balance the pros and cons of an alternative treatment(s) that may or may not cause harm, or may provide no help at all. I'm only asking, how does that help Chester?

I'm just curious: are you a vet?

I'm a veterinary technician, and I do not advocate alternative veterinary medicine for various, obvious reasons. Safety, education, and critical evaluation skills are priority for me when helping pet owners. I do not subscribe to anecdotal testimonies, and neither should a health-conscious pet owner. Most often, alternative medicine is an emotional ploy, but the dangers it can cause far outweigh conventional treatment risks. There are risks with any treatment, but you have to discuss those risks with your vet in order to be informed about your options. We're not talking about you and me, here, we're talking about Chester, and what would be most beneficial for him.