SOTVMA CE Event: FeLV Testing - Evidence-Based Practices for Shelters, Community Clinics, and General Practitioners

Presented by: Lena DeTar, DVM, DABVP, DACVPM

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) remains one of the trickiest infectious diseases to evaluate, diagnose, and manage. This presentation breaks down the latest evidence behind FeLV screening and diagnostic methods, highlighting why a single point-of-care snap test is no longer considered reliable on its own. Participants will explore how newer research has reshaped our understanding of FeLV infection stages, disease progression, and the strengths and limitations of both traditional and emerging testing tools. The session also compares how animal shelters, community clinics serving low-income pet owners, and general practitioners approach FeLV decision-making—each with different constraints, goals, and implications. Ultimately, attendees will learn how these groups can better collaborate to enhance care, reduce confusion, and support the health and welfare of the wider community cat population.

Learning Objectives:

1. FeLV screening, diagnosis, and disease progression are not straightforward. Relying on a single snap test is no longer considered sufficient.
2. Recent studies have questioned the utility of older testing methods, while other tests have complicated our understanding of how the disease progresses.
3. Animal shelters, community clinics serving low-income clientele, and general practitioners trying to best support their clients approach this problem differently, with different goals and trade-offs. All of these entities best support the local community of cats by working together.