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I'd ask the vet what exactly Miley was tested for, because I don't think there is a test for FIP. If she tested positive for the corona virus, that doesn't necessarily mean she'll ever get FIP because most cats have been exposed to the corona virus.
Here's an article that might help: Link
I hope Miley is with you for many more years.
FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS, FIP, ENTERITIS, CORONAVIRUS
Description: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a deadly disease with no effective long-term management. Feline enteric coronavirus is common in cats and causes enteritis. Coronaviral vasculitis leads to either a fibronecrotic inflammation of serosal surfaces and accumulation of fluid in body cavities (wet form of FIP), pyogranuloma formation in various sites mainly in the peritoneum (dry form of FIP), or both. FIP is most common in younger cats in multiple-cat homes. Solitary lesions of FIP can be mistaken for neoplasms. CNS and ocular lesions more often seen with dry form.
Species: Feline
Signs: Abdominal distention, Abnormal behavior, aggression, changing habits, Abnormal forelimb reflexes, Abnormal hindlimb reflexes, Abnormal lung or pleural sounds, Abnormal proprioceptive positioning, Abnormal pupillary response to light, Abnormal retinal reflectivity, Abnormal size of retinal vessels, Abnormal size testes/scrotum, Anisocoria, Anorexia, Ascites, Ataxia, Back pain, Blepharospasm, Blindness, Chemosis, Circling, Conjunctival, scleral, injection, Conjunctival, scleral, redness, Corneal edema, Corneal neovascularization, Coughing, Cyanosis, Decreased amount of stools, absent feces, constipation, Decreased ecg voltages, Decreased, muffled, lung sounds, Dehydration, Diarrhea, Disoriented, Dullness, Dysmetria, Dysphagia, Dyspnea, Excitement, Exercise intolerance, Fecal incontinence, Fever, Forelimb hypoesthesia, Forelimb lameness, Generalized lameness or stiffness, Generalized weakness, Glucosuria, Head tilt, Head, face, ears, jaw weakness, droop, Hemiparesis, Hepatosplenomegaly, Hindlimb lameness, Hyperesthesia, Hypertonia of muscles, myotonia, Hyphema, Hypopyon, lipid, or fibrin, flare, of anterior chamber, Icterus, Increased respiratory rate, Internal abdominal mass, Ketonuria, Lack of growth or weight gain, Lacrimation, Lymphadenopathy, Miosis, Mucoid nasal discharge, Muffled, decreased, heart sounds, Muscle hypotonia, Mydriasis, Nystagmus, Ocular pain, Opacity or precipitates in vitreous, Opisthotonus, Optic atrophy, Pain on external abdominal pressure, Pain, neck, cervical, throat, Pale, Palpable enlarged kidney , Papilledema, Paraparesis, Photophobia, Pica, Polydipsia, Polyphagia, Polyuria, Prolapsed third eyelid, Propulsion, Purulent discharge from eye, Purulent nasal discharge, Retinal detachment, Retinal folds, Retinal hemorrhage, Rough hair coat, Seizures or syncope, Swelling mass penis, prepuce, testes, scrotum, Swelling skin or subcutaneous, Synechia, Tachycardia, Tetraparesis, Trembling, Tremor, Underweight, poor condition, thin, emaciated, unthriftiness, ill thrift, Urinary incontinence, Vomiting or regurgitation, Weight loss
Thank you for that link to the web site about FIP. I will send it to my vet.
Right now I am happy that Miley is feeling better and will make sure not to bring any cats in to my home. Other than that, I can't do much else. I will "read-up" on this situation and then ask my vet more questions, once she has read the article. My vet said she doesn't test for FIP in a standard way, because it is so rare. Whatever. I will probably never know the hows and whys about this problem but will know that I have a long road ahead of me, with a fair amount of worry about my cats.
If I find anything else out about this FIP thang' I will let you guys know.
Miley seems ok right now and is acting normally, except for sleeping lots. Heck, I would sleep too, if I could!
SAS
P. S. The vet said that all of Miley's blood work results were fine, including kidney, liver functions and that she only "failed" the FIP test. Poor baby.
My client can wait....I've been studying on FIP. From what I have read 80% of cats who have the virus never develop FIP. And cats can be exposed to it without necessarily contracting it. If your vet doesn't test for it does she diagnose from the symtoms?
And how do you know when Miley is sleeping "lots?" For the E's that is rather normal!
This is her passport photo....remember the cruise?
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...9/f9e479de.jpg
Little Bo Peep
I think she was having a hot spot flareup at the time....
I hope with all my heart she is one of the kitties who have the virus and never contract it. And of course you'll have to test the others and some will have that natural immunity.
I also know that dying from FIP is a very horrible thing but we both have been talking about that very often- it is in our hands that it doesn't come to that :(
Last year in April I heard about Filou being a renal failure kitty. Now he had 9 purrfect and happy months after that and will have some more. He will not stay with me as long as I wish but he would have never- whether he gets 10, 15 or 20 years :(
{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}} my friend :)
Oh my gosh, SAS, I'm so sorry! I just can't imagine why this would happen to you and Miley after all you two have been through. :( I know absolutely nothing about FIP so I can't offer any help or advice, except to spoil her rotten as much as possible while you can. {{{hugs}}}
While I am very sorry you have to go through the emotions caused by this, do not fret.
I am no expert (but then again, most vets are not experts on this subject either :( )
There is no test that can tell you your cat has FIP! A test will tell you if there has been exposure to it, though. MANY, MANY, MANY (get the idea) will test positive for FIP if given the test. I would bet every cat in this house has been exposed at one time or other.) But MOST will never show symptoms. why? Because the virus must mutate inside the cat to actually bring on the onset of symptoms. Combine that with a cat's natural immunity and you have very few who will: a) have low immunity AND b) have the virus mutate.
If I were you I would forgo the expense of testing the other cats, because they most certainly have been exposed.
Best of luck keeping Miley healthy and happy, but don't lose too much sleep over it, OK???
SAS, I agree with Jen in that there really isn't any accurate test for FIP yet. As long as Miley doesn't have any of the symptoms I would try not to worry too much about it. The FIP shots aren't proven to work either. May Miley have many many more happy and healthly years ahead of her.
I think my vet doesn't like breeders and she thinks that the source IS the breeder. I will never know the source. My breeder did call Monday night and we spoke about Miley's health and at the time, I didn't know that Miley was going to test positive. I agree that Miley is healthy except for the colon issues and she is being treated for her problem. I will probably not have the others tested. Just wait for the annual visit and see if they are healthy. There is a vaccine for FIP but the vet doesn't think it does much. Rather a waste.
I am going to keep a very close eye on Miley and the others and keep all other cats from them. Some articles I have read say that most cats are exposed and never actually get FIP and I am thinking, yes, that's my Miley, exposed by she doesn't have it.
The bottom line is that I will keep her (them healthy) as long as I can but I will not put them through any end-stage illness, FIP or anything. As soon as they are uncomfortable...... that is one thing I can do for them.
So here's to their health and welfare and I am going to think on the positive side. Millie, my vet, is rather negative or overly cautious I should say.
I am home now and Miley seems fine to me. She is eating and hopping around just as usual. I have had a difficult time trying to catch her to pill her. She has caught on now! The little devil.
Poor little Miley! I hope she never develops the disease and lives out her natural life.
The FIP virus can survive on clothing for a long time so she could have been exposed by someone who handled an infected cat. Washing hands isn't enough with FIP!
My Danté was FIV positive which isn't contageous but it did compromise his health in a big way. Two days before he died he was playing with his toys tossing them in the air and jumping up to catch them; 48 hours later he was gone.
Thanks for your encouragement. I hope Miley lives a nice long life - and if she should surrender herself to the FIP exposure, then so be it. It is too late. And it seems to me, from what I have read here, so many cats are exposed to it.........
I went on the web and did a few searches for coronaviruses.....and found lots of interesting information about the viruses - humans, cats, dogs, horses....we are all at risk to a degree....
Life goes on.... and more pills for Miley!
Miley was in fine shape this AM. She didn't sleep as much last night as the night before and is back to her usual princess style behavior. She doesn't trust me now.....she thinks each time I touch her, it is pill time. That will pass as the days run on without a pill. She must be treated for 20 days....Thats three weeks! She may move out before then! Better hide the kitty suitcases.
Sallayanne I am so sorry to read this thread today and see the turn that this has all taken. I'm glad to hear, though, that Miley is acting more like her usual self as a result of the meds. It doesn't seem fair that another health problem has come to Camp Vermont but I know that they are all in the best of care having you for a mom and that you will give your all for these furry little ones. Your sense of humor shines through, as always, in the last sentence about Miley packing her bags. I'm glad that you have shared this with all of us as it has made us aware of this health issue (to which I plead ignorant) and I believe it helps to *unload* on others who care, so that you are not going through this alone. Please keep us updated on Miss Miley's progress. (((hugs)))
So glad to hear Miley is getting back to her "usual princess style behavior" this morning. Somehow I just can't imagine little Miley behaving any other way. :)
I have just read this whole thread and I am one of those who must plead ignorant of the facts of this disease.
But I can offer you support and hope that Miley continues to reign as Princess for many more years to come.
I do know firsthand, how worried we become over our precious kitties, though, so my heart goes out to you.