New Website Shows Reported Prevalence of Common Feline Diseases by Geographical Area
Idexx laboratories is a major veterinary diagnostic corporation with veterinary-specific laboratories located in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company is an innovator in veterinary diagnostics. And, I am happy to see that Idexx has signed on to the current initiative to boost the quality of health care delivered to cats.
As I have mentioned in at least one previous post, feline health care generally receives short shrift relative to the care that canine companions receive. Vets, industries linked to veterinary medicine and cat lovers are working to change the situation and give cats their due.
As part of its work to promote feline health, Idexx has launched a new website. The site, www.kittytest.com, displays the number of cats infected with FIV, FeLV and feline heartworm in each county in the USA as reported to the laboratory.
It’s a very interesting site. I recommend that you check it out.
Photo: Red, of Texas, has been diagnosed with FIV.
You have questions. 
While I think that this can be an important tool to increase awareness of feiline disease, the statistics on the site should be taken with a grain of salt. For one thing, people should notice that the numbers that first come up are by state. You have to scroll over the map to get individual numbers. The numbers can vary because of a lot of variables. If I scroll over Gloucester VA it shows 0 cases of feline heartworm while York County VA shows 1. Well, Gloucester has 10x the incidence of canine heartworm because its on the water but has a lower income level so probably doesn’t test as many cats.
Dr. Barchas- is there a site like this for dogs that you know of?
Fascinating data! Nice to be able to visualize your pet’s actual risk.