July 13th 04, 02:47 AM
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I thought you were out there somewhere! Nice to see you again!
"~*Connie*~" wrote in message
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Yup.. I read this one I hate FIP, and have been frustrated with the
info
out there since having been exposed to it and having lost one of my
beloved
pets. There was recently an extremely well written article in the cat
fancy
magazine. The doctor says it is not contagious. the corona virus has to
mutate once inside the host There is no reliable test for it. I think a
lot of doctors jump to an FIP conclusion to come up with something for
unexplained symptoms.
If your kittens actually have it, there isn't much you can do but keep
them
comfortable (or humanly euthanize). I have five remaining cats, one also
had felv, and all five had high fip titers (that should so read corona
virus
titers but whatever) and putting them on vitamin c, they are all negative.
"JoJo" wrote in message
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Forgot - you can do Vit C therapy - Connie is the resident expert on
that.
She's given her cats Vit C therapy and one's titers have come back
negative.
I'm not sure if she reads this NG or not.
You can visit my website for my email address, and there is a link to
Connie's site as well (Tails of the Foster Kitty's), which has a link to
her
email.
JoJo
https://home.comcast.net/~zookeepr/Fosters.htm
"JoJo" wrote in message
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FIP is fatal, no cure, no treatment. Typically happens in kittens
under
18
months of age. Stands for feline infection peritonitius. Extremely
hard
to
give definite diagnosis. They can do extended labwork which basically
can
tell you if the cat has been exposed to the corona virus - FIP is a
mutation
of the corona virus. 80% of all cats have been exposed to the corona
virus
(if cats are around dogs that have been vaccinated against corona, the
cat
has been exposed to it). Exposure does not mean the cat has FIP. A
high
globulin count can indicate FIP (which would be indicated in
bloodwork).
They could have a temperature as well. They run two titers typically,
can't
remember exactly what they are. I've heard if the lab can run a 1:25
titer
(most won't/can't) and it's positive, the cat more than likely has
FIP.
There are two kinds of FIP - wet and dry. The wet from what I
understand
is
easier to diagnose, I think the belly can start filling with fluid.
The
dry
form dry granuals on the internal organs. Typically way to tell for
sure
is
by doing necropsy after suspected cat has passed away.
From what else I've read is it's not transmitted through body fluids,
rather
thru feces. If you suspect FIP and have other cats you need to keep
those
boxes CLEAN, empty frequently and clean box with bleach mixture.
I just went this with one of my cats - it's extremely frustrating, you
walk
out wondering what to do. I was told bloodwork was within normal
limits,
had no temp, but the titers both were positive - meaning she had been
exposed to the corona virus. The vet told me she found 11 month old
stray,
wasn't gaining weight as it should, she kept testing, finally noticed
one
pupil was slightly larger than the other, that was how she determined
it
was
FIP, the cat went downhill within weeks. She told me if my cat did
have
FIP
I would see the same quick/fast deterioration in health. That was a
little
over a month ago, the cat has since improved so I very much doubt at
this
point if she has FIP, whatever it was is out of her system and she is
a
fat
and happy cat.
Do you think the kittens have FIP? Are they acting sick? If they
are,
it
would not hurt to go to vet and get bloodwork. You should always keep
new
kittens away from other cats for a few weeks, at least until you know
they
aren't carrying Felv or FIV (feline aids - which attacks the immune
system).
And do not let them share litter boxes with your current crew until
you
are
sure they are healthy. If the kittens aren't showing any health
problems
the blood test isn't going to tell you anything as far as FIP goes.
Sorry
to paint a grim picture - FIP is a terrible disease, made all the more
so
because there is no definitive diagnosis. There's also a very small
chance
cats have it (very low percentage). I would still recommend vet check
anyway as they are feral. They will more than likely need treated for
worms.
Best of luck.
JoJo
"formerly known as 'cat arranger'"
wrote
in message news:nhlIc.6201$i_3.4441@fed1read04...
We're taking of two feral kitties and haven't thought
about them infecting our other cats. What is FIP and
how is it transmitted? It's obviously not like HIV
which can only be transmitted through body fluids, so
why to they have such similar names? It is confusing.
The kittens are about 8 wks. old. Is the FIP test very
reliable? How much does it cost? Thanks, if it wasn't
Sunday I'd call the vet. Will anyway tomorrow but it
would be nice to know, starting to get stressed.
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