I have recently lost my 8 month kitten to the FIP virus. Unfortunately I had to put her down.?

Question

Is there any chance my other 2 cats (8 months and 14 months) contracting the virus and meeting the same fate? If anyone has any information on this silent deadly killer, it would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi there...so sorry to hear you lost your kitten to this terrible virus. There's a possibility of tranmission of FIP to your other cats. The titer tests for FIP produces more false/negatives so most vets recognize this isn't a certainty to determine if or nor a cat is infected. However, supposedly new tests have been developed, but I don't know the efficacy of these, but you could present this to your vet: http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/reports/FIP-update-pt1.html

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is caused by a coronavirus that can infect any cat, though young cats and very old cats (14yr and up) appear most susceptible. The FIP virus (FIPV) is very similar to the coronavirus that causes a transient, usually mild, self-limiting diarrhea (Feline Enteric Corona Virus, FECV). In fact, there is some evidence that FECV can mutate to FIPV in some individuals. This means that even an indoor-only cat in a single-cat household may, in theory, develop this disease. Indeed, there is now belief that mutation from FECV to FIP is the most probable means of acquiring FIP! There is some research information concerning the topic of transmission, (as well as diagnosis, vaccination, etc.) presented at a relatively recent conference .

Though still debatable, it appears unlikely that the virus can be passed to unborn kittens or via the milk to newborns. Some apparently healthy cats may carry the virus which can be shed intermittently in bodily fluids or feces, with feces being the most common source of oral infection (which is considered an uncommon means of infection). Interestingly, and most likely due to the primarily mutational mechanism of acquired FIP actual mortality from environmental exposure to the virus (i.e from animals shedding virus) is sporadic, even in a population of cats where FIPV- carriers are known to be present.

The type and development of disease is quite complex and, in large part, dependent on the status of the animal’s immune system. In some instances, the immune system’s response to infection may actually worsen the clinical signs. In the Effusive Form of the disease there is accumulation of substantial quantities of fluid in body cavities (abdomen and chest). Some of these animals appear profoundly "pot-bellied", while the Dry Form of the disease does not present this way. In both forms, clinical signs can be quite variable; virtually any organ or soft tissue system can become affected, thus mimicking many diseases. The most common clinical signs are non-specific and include fluctuating fever, inappetance, lethargy and weight loss. Sometimes, if the central nervous system is affected, neurological abnormalities are apparent.

More on FIP:
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/fip.html
http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/fip/

Answer 2

Feline Infectious Peritonitis is sort of misnamed as it is not that "infectious". It is caused by a mutated corona virus. The corona virus is present in many cats and doesn't cause problems. That's why there is not effective test to determine FIP.

What a shame to get a kitten through the deadly dangers of feline panleukopenia and then have it succumb to the FIP which is equally deadly. I am sorry you had to go through that experience.

At www.littlebigcat.com Dr. Jean Hovfe has an article on FIP in her newsletter. Volume 4, #4, May 2006. You can find it in her newsletter archives.

Answer 3

I am sorry for your loss. I lost my Merlin kitty to this same virus when he was a week shy of a year old. It was terrible to watch him slowly deteriorate.
We had to older cats at the time as well. Neither of them ever came down with the disease.

I hope yours stay well also.

Answer 4

yes there is a chance take them to the vet and have them checked out