There is information on this page about FIP hope it helps you..
http://www.tica.org/vet.htm
Aimee
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
> We're taking of two feral kitties and haven't thought
> about them infecting our other cats. What is FIP and
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Sunday I'd call the vet. Will anyway tomorrow but it
> would be nice to know, starting to get stressed.
JoJo - 13 Jul 2004 01:41 GMT
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
> FIP is fatal, no cure, no treatment. Typically happens in kittens under 18
> months of age. Stands for feline infection peritonitius. Extremely hard to
[quoted text clipped - 55 lines]
> > Sunday I'd call the vet. Will anyway tomorrow but it
> > would be nice to know, starting to get stressed.
~*Connie*~ - 13 Jul 2004 02:41 GMT
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.
> 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.
[quoted text clipped - 86 lines]
> > > Sunday I'd call the vet. Will anyway tomorrow but it
> > > would be nice to know, starting to get stressed.
JoJo - 13 Jul 2004 02:47 GMT
I thought you were out there somewhere! :) Nice to see you again! :)
> 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
[quoted text clipped - 118 lines]
> > > > Sunday I'd call the vet. Will anyway tomorrow but it
> > > > would be nice to know, starting to get stressed.
Linda Terrell - 13 Jul 2004 09:23 GMT
> 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.
How doyou adminisgter the Vit C -- in food? Drops? Where may I get
it for cats?
I will say that putting them all on Chicken Soup for Cat Lovers' Soul
has improved the lot of them noticeably. Especially my Berkeley
who always looked scruffy and had dandruff no matter what we did
for him.
LT
~*Connie*~ - 13 Jul 2004 12:47 GMT
i mix crystals in their wet food. You can get info on it in the book the
very healthy cat. I lent my copy to the vet.. There is a lot of websites
out there on the benefits of vit c.
i particularly like the food felidae. My elder diabetic heart murmur kitty
perked up and actually started playing after i put them all on it. I had
some csfcls food for the fosters, and was surprised by how much grain was in
it.
> > 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
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>
> LT