Question for breeders only

[Brigitte Cowell]

What do you mean by send out tissue? So far the vets have done blood work and found high levels of globulin. They have done an abdominocentesis and looked at the fluid and its consistency and color are consistent with that of FIP. Also, all of his symptoms are pointing to FIP. What other tests can be done so I have closure and can confirm FIP?

I just saw a research paper shared via the Winn Foundation that showed how the albumin:globulin ratio was responsible for a lot of false FIP diagnoses.

IMHO, the best test you could do right now to be as certain as you can that this is indeed FIP (and there are other conditions that can give similar symptoms) is to send a sample of the abdominal fluid for PCR analysis. If they find the virus in that fluid then yes it most likely is FIP.

As others are saying though, the only true diagnosis is necropsy unfortunately. I went through a week of racking guilt and self-doubt when I euthanized my beloved Aziza worrying that we'd misdiagnosed her dry FIP, until the necropsy came back confirming it. In her case it was dry FIP and it can be really really hard to diagnose. There's no fluid to draw.

I'm so very sorry :-(

 

[John Popp]

I don't know about that John...

Just reiterating what I read, and certainly don't claim to be Dr Wiki. There is seemingly a very incomplete data set on all the surrounding issues, contradictions in several scholarly articles and small sample sizes in the prevention drug being marketed as well as treatment medication. In all just really tough to nail down a virus that mutates in some cats while not in others. It should give all of us pause and with the emotional attachment, erring on the side of caution seems prudent.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I have seen the up to 2 month length of the virus laying dormant several places.

I think that unlikely if after the event, the house is thoroughly cleaned. Most owners get super-paranoid after an FIP episode and go crazy with cleaning... which can be therapeutic too :-(

 

[AprilAnn]

I'm told he has wet FIP. I have literally taken him to 5 vets and ran various tests to confirm it. He is getting progressively worse with every hour that goes by. His coat is pale, his bones seem weak and his nails are chipping off. His poop is also smelling worse every time, he can barely sit up and feels skinnier every time I pick him up.

I have an appointment in an hour to put him down. I feel like a horrible mom, but I cannot see him suffer anymore.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Five vets? Did they do different tests or just was that to confirm the same tests? As I said, if you have done PCR testing of the fluid from his belly, then I think you can be pretty sure of what is going on.

I know it is heartbreaking to see, and it is impossible not to feel terrible at this time. Big hugs to you :-(

 

[AprilAnn]

I think he knows what's going on, because he won't leave my side. He just keeps headbutting me over and over again. I am going to miss this so much.

Thank you to everyone on the forum, sincerely. Thank you for the support, advice an encouragement. You all are very good people and its refreshing to have talked with you all.

 

[Trish Allearz]

The fact is- FIP is the mutated coronavirus, which most cats have already been exposed to. So I just don't see the need to go crazy cleaning your home if you have FIP occur in it. I don't know- I think it would be therapeutic as Brigitte suggested and knowing how paranoid we all get, it wouldn't hurt ever (and who with pets doesn't need to have a good day of scrubbing from here to there?)- but I don't really buy the two month thing being tossed around and I don't really think scrubbing the whole house from top to bottom is really going to DO anything. After all, a NEW kitten brought into your home would already have two boosters for the coronavirus (at least) under their kitty belt. The scrubbing would be more beneficial, I would think, in the cattery- but most catteries do a lot of heavy cleaning anyways.

This is where I go back to the fact that cats are little disease factories. I told a lady online the other day that her four week old mixed kitties should probably stay in quarantine until they've had shots and she became very arrogant and snotty about my advice. Well- here is a great example- kittens tend to be exposed to the coronavirus well before they can receive the vaccine for it. While most kitties get a cold and get over it, there are always those tragedies where it eventually mutates....

Ah- as far as the email- I agree with Paige. The fact is- FIP didn't happen in that cattery nor did it happen because of that cattery. It happened because Tank is a kitty and it's just a horrible issue within the kitty community. You know- I think we all wish there was an easier answer- none of us want to worry about FIP, but you can BET- any breeder on this site receives an email with the telltale FIP symptoms, we are going to have our heart in our throat and be so sad if the truth ends up being FIP. FIP is another reason we need to pour as much money into feline research- we just don't know enough about our CATS. We've owned them for thousands of years and yet barely have any knowledge into their health when it comes to a lot of these things...

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

One thing to note is that FIP is called "the purring disease" and kittens with FIP are known for being cuddly little purry angels. Part of this is the need for comfort when feeling crappy, but cats also purr more when in pain. Just makes it all so difficult :-(

 

[admin]

it is a terrible thing - having a sick kitten and not knowing what is wrong or having a suspected diagnosis of FIP, although I believe vets often jump tot hat conclusion way too quickly...

When Taj was 6 months old, he became very ill and right away my vet thought FIP, but he did lots of testing and it was not FIP...but if he had been the type o vet to just go with it, my baby would probably not be here...

3 surgeries later, Taj is absolutely fine and is now 3 years old...

I am just so sorry you are going through this AprilAnn and hope you get some kind of assurance and/or closure

 

[Trish Allearz]

I think- depending upon your breeder- I'd ensure the necropsy is done for your sake. I know it will be hard to ask for- it never is- and I know it may not be cheap (when it's a living kitty- it's easy to spend the money, but it's not as easy when it comes to a kitty that you have lost)- but I think for possible FIP, it's your best option.

My thoughts are with you and Tank!!! Give him a thousand and one kisses today.