Feline Herpesvirus & Calicivirus (FHV/FCV) Ag Rapid Tests

Feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) are two contagious viral infections that commonly affect the upper respiratory tract of cats. FHV is often associated with sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis and eye irritation, while FCV can cause respiratory signs alongside painful ulcers in the mouth, fever and reduced appetite.

Both viruses can spread through close contact with infected cats and their oral, nasal or eye secretions. Contaminated objects and shared environments can also contribute to transmission, particularly with FCV. FHV can remain latent after infection and may reactivate later, while some cats infected with FCV can continue shedding the virus after recovering.

Rapid 2-in-1 screening can provide useful initial information when FHV or FCV is suspected, but the results should always be considered alongside the cat’s signs and, where appropriate, further veterinary assessment.

1. Check the kit contents and keep the test device sealed until you are ready to begin.

2. Peel back the seal on the buffer tube and place the tube securely in the workstation.

3. Use the supplied swab to collect a secretion sample from your cat’s eye, nose or mouth.

4. Insert the swab into the buffer tube and rotate it at least 10 times. Then push the cap firmly onto the tube.

5. Remove the test device from its foil pouch and place it on a clean, flat surface.

6. Add three drops of the mixed solution vertically into both sample wells marked S.

7. Read the result at 10 minutes. Do not interpret the result after 20 minutes.

Read each result individually
Interpret the FHV and FCV results separately. A positive result for one virus does not mean that the other virus is positive.

Positive result
For an individual target, two coloured lines appear: one in the control area marked C and one in the corresponding test area marked T. A visible test line should be treated as positive even when it appears faint.

Negative result
For an individual target, one coloured line appears in the control area marked C, with no line in the corresponding test area marked T.

Invalid result
If the required control line does not appear, the result is invalid, whether or not a test line is visible. Repeat the test using a new test device and follow the supplied instructions carefully.

Clinical evaluation
Clinical performance was evaluated using separate sample sets, with results compared against PCR reference testing, an established molecular laboratory method used to detect feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus genetic material.

In these evaluations, the test demonstrated 96.00% sensitivity and 98.33% specificity for FHV, and 97.00% sensitivity and 99.20% specificity for FCV. The evaluation included 500 samples for FHV and 350 samples for FCV. Sensitivity describes the test’s ability to identify positive samples, while specificity describes its ability to identify negative samples.

Quality-controlled manufacturing
Manufactured in a specialist IVD facility operating under an ISO 13485:2016-certified quality management system. Controlled processes cover raw materials, production, packaging and final inspection.

Production includes controlled manufacturing processes, in-process inspections and batch-level quality checks before release. These measures help support consistent quality and reliable test performance.

• This product is a rapid screening test for veterinary in-vitro diagnostic use only. It is designed to analyse a sample collected from a cat outside the animal’s body and must not be used for human testing.

• AniCare tests are not a replacement for veterinary advice. Consider the result alongside the cat’s signs and seek veterinary advice if signs continue, worsen or the result is unexpected.

• Keep the test device sealed until you are ready to use it. Do not use expired components and do not reuse any part of the kit. Read the result at 10 minutes and do not interpret it after 20 minutes.

• Like all rapid screening tests, false-positive or false-negative results can occur. If the result is positive, unexpected or the cat's signs continue, speak to a veterinary professional.

• Store sealed between 4–30°C, keep dry and away from direct sunlight, and do not freeze. Dispose of used testing materials safely in accordance with local requirements.