My cat might have FIP

[Brigitte Cowell]

The Rivalta test is a simple one that your vet can do right there in the office. It is indicative of FIP but not absolutely diagnostic. But useful to help the diagnosis. FIP is very very difficult to diagnose.

Imho doing an elisa test on the fluid is not as absolute as doing the PCR test, and if they are doing the "FIP" ELISA test on a blood sample it is not very diagnostic at all.

The diagnosis related to the fluid in his belly is this: When a cat simply has Coronavirus that has not mutated and the cat does not have FIP, the virus is located in the gastrointestinal tract only. The cat will have a titer (the FIP ELISA test) because the body will see the virus in the gut and make antibodies... so a positive elisa of the blood only tells you the cat has been exposed to Coronavirus.

IF the fluid inside his belly is tested for the presence of the virus (not the presence of antibodies to the virus) and detects the virus, then that is pretty diagnostic for FIP. FIP happens when the virus mutates AND crosses the mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal system and thus enters the lymphatic system. That's when the disease happens.

I strongly suggest that you (and your vet) check out the diagnostic flowchart on www.dr-addie.com

And I agree with Trish, the breeder should be notified!

 

[Patti]

I agree with Brigitte, the best way to confirm FIP is to run a PCR on the abdominal fluid, because you will not normally find the corona virus in abdominal fluid unless it has mutated to FIP. And unfortunately I have not heard of any cat surviving wet FIP. There has been some anecdotal notes regarding the use of homeopathic therapies and/or Polyprenyl immunostimulant but a recent article I read seemed to suggest that the PI was not as effective as initially hoped for

 

[carolina griego]

Wow Brigitte you should be my vet. Thanks for everyones support. I got the test done yesterday today they didnt have the results (they close early Saturday) now I have to wait till Monday. After you tell me about the Elisa test I feel is not going to help, I will ask for PCR.
Im still praying the fluid is something else.Brigitte since their is fluid and theres a chance that is now Fip or something else is it okay to have one of my girl kitties around him? I feel bad for having him alone. He is still eating good just not active.

 

[Patti]

IMHO, having other kittens around him is not going to give them FIP unless they are already predisposed to getting it, in which case keeping them separated from him will not stop them from getting it, so either way there is no reason to keep them apart. Again, if they were all previously together and using the same litterbox then they have all been exposed to the corona virus, so keeping them away now doesn't accomplish anything except to make sad kitties...

 

[carolina griego]

Thanks Patti my Rex will be happy to have company

 

[admin]

I am so sorry to hear about your boy and praying it is not FIP...he is a beautiful boy!

I do not have anything to add and agree that keeping him separate is really not necessary...I also hope you have contacted the breeder?

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I agree with Patti and Paige, you will not be endangering your other cats and you will bring some comfort to your boy to have his friends around.

This is a horrible disease, one that targets the young always seems so unfair :-(

 

[carolina griego]

Thanks for everyones support and help, its greatly appreciated

 

[KMcgown]

Sorry to hear about Rex. Glad he is back with his girls and can be comfortable. Hoping you get good results tomorrow. Positive thoughts coming your way.

 

[Lesley]

So very very sorry. Hoping for a miracle for you and Rex.