Fip?

[Lacey]

Izzy went in for a teeth-cleaning this morning, but that was put on hold because the vet was worried that she has FIP. The vet found her abdomen full of nasty yellow fluid, so Izzy's having tests run, and is staying at the vets until the results come back. :( :( :( Now I'm terrified that Zelda might also be infected. How contagious is FIP? Is there anything I can do to minimize the chances of infection? If Izzy is for certain FIP positive (which it sounds like) would she be able to spend however long she has left at home, or would that be too dangerous for Zelda?

[Craftlady]

FIP (http://www.br.cc.va.us/vettech/feldis.htm)

FIP (http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/fd.html)

FIP (http://www.lbah.com/Feline/FIP.html)

Hope this helps. I just did a search on google "feline diseases" if you want to search more.

Good luck and prayers are with you.

[Lacey]

Thanks, Craftlady. The articles were very helpful. It's comforting to know that only a small percentage of cats are infected. I'm going to give the apartment a thorough scrubbing and pray Zelda won't end up with FIP. I'll hear about Izzy probably by Friday. The vet didn't sound hopeful, though. I doubt my poor baby girl will be coming home. ;_;

[kimlovescats]

I sure hope that your kitty does not have FIP ..... please let us know what you hear from your vet! :(

[moosmom]

Lacey,

My cat MooShoo tested positive for FIP. It doesn't mean he HAS it, only that he was exposed to it. He's a healthy, 14 1/2 lb. Sphynx. None of my other cats have it.

From what my vet told me, the only way to find out DEFINITELY if a cat HAS it, is to do a necropsy when the cat dies. It also depends on what TYPE of FIP it is. The wet type is the one that's most contagious.

I sure hope Izzy gets better and is negative for FIP. You guys will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Lacey]

Moosmom,

Thank you for the prayers. I've been praying and praying that Izzy will be alright, but after reading up on FIP, I'm also nearly certain that she has it. If I'd known the symptoms to look for, I probably would've realized it sooner. She was fairly lethargic, sneezed quite a bit, developed the occasional eye crusty, ate like a little piggy but never put on weight (she's only a 4 lb girl). She's only been with me for less than 2 weeks, though, so I didn't know how much of that was stress from being in a new environment or was just how she was. However, the vet finding all that nasty-yellow fluid in her abdomen is pretty much a dead give-away that she's got the the wet form. I'll be finding out for sure by Friday, though. My main concern right now is that Zelda doesn't get it also.

[Fallon]

i hope youre little kitty doesn't have fip. i'd like to be kept informed on what happens.

[Lacey]

Isabel was indeed positive for FIP, as well as showing the clinical symptoms for it. She's been sent on her way to the RB and will be missed. ;_;

[rpcathouse]

I am so sorry that Lizzy had FIP and now is at the Rainbow bridge. She will be greeted by 2 sweet loving and playful cats of mine. Mudge and the Chinni. She will be in very good company as they wait for us. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Stella and furkids

[PayItForward]

Rest in peace Isabel, enjoy your time on the bridge :(

[Kirsten]

Lacey, I'm so sorry that your Isabel had FIP and is now at the RB! :(

I lost my Aysche from FIP and like you, I didn't know much about the symptoms at that time and didn't realize how sick she was until she felt really really bad.

I'm keeping you and Zelda in my thoughts, I sure hope she's not infected!

Kirsten

[rg_girlca]

Lacey, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.

Rest in Peace dear Isabel.

[Lacey]

Thanks for all the condolences!

Does anyone know how long I'll have to wait to know if Zelda's in the clear? I've not had any luck finding that little nugget of information.

[Kirsten]

That's a tough question. I'd suggest you better ask your vet for that info.

As far as I know, the FIP ELISA test isn't very reliable. It will only tell you if there has been an infection with a corona virus, but it won't tell you wether it's the FIP virus or another corona virus (to which many cats are exposed).

When I got that right, Isabel has only lived with you and Zelda for two weeks, right? To be on the safe side, I would remove or at least disinfect the things Isabel has used. The virus can survive outside the cats' body for several weeks.

Maybe you can find some comfort in the thought that not every cat that was in contact with a FIP cat will get the disease.

I hope you won't have to wait too long before you can get Zelda tested - and that the test will be negative!

Kirsten

[Lacey]

Thanks, Kirsten!

Yep, Izzy was with us for only two weeks - the first few days of which she was confined entirely to the bathroom, and the last few days of which she was in the isolation room at the vet. She probably had the run of the place for a little less than a week.

And all of Izzy's stuff has been disinfected or is put away until the next time I can get to a washing machine.

I guess all that's really left to do is wait until I can get Zelda tested, and keep in mind that the results will just mean that she's only been exposed unless she's showing any other symptoms.

[Steffi N]

Lacey, I am sorry to read about poor Isabel. I hope that Zelda is okay.
Rest in peace, dear Izzy. {{HUGS}}

[kimlovescats]

I'm so very sorry to hear of Izzy's passing. Thank you for giving her love during her short time on earth.

[Lacey]

The lady I got Izzy from is offering me another cat - one from a different bunch than the ones Izzy was rescued with. And the new cat will definitely be tested for FIP. I'm seriously thinking about taking her up on it. She's willing to hold the kitty for me until we're sure. We're planning right now on waiting for a bit over a month and seeing how things are with Zelda first, though.

[Kirsten]

Yes, I think when you're sure that both the new kitty and Zelda don't have the virus, it's a good idea...

I know you cannot replace one cat by another, but from my own experiences I found out that it's easier to deal with a loss when there is a new life to care for...

Good luck! :)

Kirsten