We wanted to let everyone know that we put up a NEW page for Pelaqita Persians on Facebook. It's a great way to get a bit of a behind the scenes look at our cattery and the goings on here. We will be using Facebook to keep everyone informed about upcoming litters and events. Please go to our Facebook page and click on the "LIKE" button.

FeLV Testing

Recently, I have heard from several people that their cats or kittens had tested FALSE-positive for FeLV/FIV using a "SNAP" test. SNAP is a test that a veterinarian can perform "in-office" using a small amount of blood from the cat or kitten. However, these tests can produce "false-positive" results.

Cause of False-Positive Result

The in-office SNAP ELISA ("enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay") test is a useful screening test. However the test cannot distinguish between a positive antibody result (caused by actual infection), maternally inherited antibodies or antibodies developed as a consequence of vaccination. Many times, a false-positive SNAP test result is because of improper handling or a bad batch of testing units.

No test is always 100% accurate under all conditions. Therefore, all test results should be interpreted in light of the health and likelihood of risk (i.e.: commonly found in outdoor cats with exposure to other cats positive for the virus). A cat (or kitten) with a positive SNAP test result should ALWAYS be re-tested using a different test through a diagnostic laboratory. Cats/Kittens testing positive using the SNAP test and testing negative using the diagnostic laboratory are considered not to have FeLV/FIV.

If your cat or kitten has a positive SNAP test result - Do NOT panic. Simply ask for another test to be done using a secondary testing source. Additionally, a false-positive result does not mean the indoor only cat has to be re-tested every year after that. Once a negative test is received from a secondary testing source, that means the cat is negative – no further testing is necessary as long as there has not been a risk of exposure such as your cat escaping outside or if there is exposure to a new cat or kitten with unknown background and risk factors.

Did You Know?

The largest cat, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was Himmy, who weighed 46 pounds, 15.25 ounces in 1986. Guinness no longer records cats, so this is the last "documented" cat.

"The naming of cats is a difficult matter. It isn't just one of your holiday games. You may think at first I'm mad as a hatter. When I tell you a cat must have three different names" ~ T.S. Eliot

Litter Box

For more information, please visit our website . Review the pages under the Placement tab and if you would like to be considered for one of our Persian kittens, please fill out and submit the on-line Application.

Visit us on our Facebook page.