Feline Rapid
This Feline Calicivirus FCV Ag Rapid Test Kit is based on an immunochromatographic assay to detect FCV Ag in feline saliva, nasal swab and ocular conjunctival discharge, which is fast, accurate and easy to operate.
Basic information
Feline calicivirus is a highly contagious virus that causes mild to severe respiratory infection and oral disease in cats. It is especially common in shelters and breeding colonies and often infects young cats. Most cats make a full recovery after a calicivirus infection, but the rare strains can be especially deadly. The virus does not pose a threat to humans.
Feline Calicivirus FCV Ag Rapid Test Kit Key Facts
- Ready-to-use kits for pet owners and veterinary clinics
- No special instrument is required
- Suitable for field testing
- Result in 10min.
What causes calicivirus infection?
Feline calicivirus (FCV) belongs to a large family of viruses called the Caliciviridae, whose members infect a wide range of vertebrate animals, including rabbits, cattle, reptiles, birds, and amphibians.
Why and how could my cat get infected?
FCV most commonly occurs in multi-cat environments. A cat’s risk of exposure is greatest in shelters, pet stores and daycare centres, where 25 to 40 per cent of cats may be carriers. The virus is spread through direct contact with the saliva, nasal mucus, and eye discharges of infected cats and through aerosol droplets spread when cats sneeze. Laboratory tests have also detected the virus in urine, faeces, and blood.
Cats generally shed the virus for about two to three weeks after infection, but some cats become long-term carriers, continuing to shed the virus on and off for months. FCV is a resistant virus that survives on surfaces for up to a month in certain environments. Humans handling infected cats can inadvertently transfer the virus to new animals. Objects that come into contact with a cat’s bodily fluids, such as food bowls, litter boxes, or bedding, can also be a source of infection.
What happens during the infection and how to diagnose it?
After being exposed to FCV, the incubation period is two to 14 days before symptoms appear. Commercial laboratories detect the presence of FCV in two ways: by growing the virus in cells in a Petri dish or by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), a procedure that detects a segment of genetic material that is specific to the calicivirus. Both tests are equally effective, although the RT-PCR test may be more common in some areas, as part of a panel testing for various organisms that cause respiratory disease. Test results should be interpreted with care. Please always follow the doctor’s advice.
