Just learnt that Luna once had contact with FIP cats

[Kirsten]

Boy, I'm scared now!!!

In April 2001, when Luna was one year old, I visited friends in Cologne. They had two cats, Mozart and Verdi, both of them older than 10 years at that time. Before I agreed to bring Luna with me, I asked if their cats have been vaccinated. I was told they are, and so I took Luna with me.

Now both their cats are dead, appearantly FIP. Mozart passed away in early 2003, and I was told she had cancer, a squamous cell carcinoma under her tongue. Last week she told me that Verdi got seriously ill with an abcess in her mouth, and today she emailed me Verdi had been PTS yesterday, and that she had "the mutated corona virus", so I figure she meant FIP (she doesn't know much about cat diseases), and that she had picked it up from Mozart. The entire story sounds very mysterious to me, but when I called my friend, she has just been busy with her baby boy and had no time to talk. All she said is that it had turned out that Mozart had had FIP as well and that the cancer was only the final state. She has never told me before.

Now I'm totally scared that Luna has picked up the virus when we were at their place back in 2001. They didn't share food bowls or litter boxes, at least as far as I remember, and they didn't have much physical contact. They chased each other, but never were in close contact.

I'm very worried though, and immediately called my vet at home (her office times were already over). She said the chances she might have picked it up were 1:1,000,000, but also said that still too less is known about the mutation of the virus. She offered me to have them tested, but as you probably know, the test would also show a corona virus in general, not if it's the FIP virus or the harmless enteric corona virus. So if the test would show she is positive, I would probably only wait for the disease to break out, and what sense would that make except that I'm worrying myself sick over that (and the girls, too). I know that many cats are corona virus positive, and that it takes a "trigger" for the virus to mutate. And if my girls would be positive, they could have also picked it up from their mothers already, so I will never know if they have that specific virus from my friends' place, unless the disease is breaking out.

I lost my Aysche to FIP a long time ago, and I really hate that disease from the bottom of my heart! I have read tons of information about it, and yet there are so many things that I still don't know.

Please, please send some positive thoughts to my girls!!

Thanks, Kirsten

[Barbara]

Kirsten I am sorry that Verdi passed away.
I hope I can talk you a little out of your fear about Luna: 1:1 million is not a very big chance and even if she was the one of one million cats who got it it would not be sure whether it breaks out!

We cannot save our furkids from everything and I am sure you do anything that could make their life safer.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Lacey]

I know how you feel. I've watched Zelda like a hawk ever since she tested positive for FIP (even though there's no way to be certain that it wasn't just a harmless corona virus the test picked up). Just remember, one in a million is a VERY slim chance that she's caught the disease. I'll be sure to say a prayer for Luna.

[Craftlady]

Please do not drive yourself crazy with "what if's". I agree 1.1 million are safe odds. You keep your animals up to date on vaccinations and do the regular check up appointments. That is best any of us pet owners can do for our animals.

[Kirsten]

I hope you're right... but I kind of feel like the sword of Damocles is hanging over my girls' heads now. I guess there'll never be a way to be quite sure they haven't picked it up. Maybe it's better to do the test, I don't know...

Lacey, I remember Zelda, and that you feared she may have the virus. So she was tested corona-virus-positive? You have lost another kitty from FIP, haven't you?

It's such a dreadful disease, and I really hate it!

Kirsten

[K & L]

Your cats were vaccinated right? This should help even if there were a chance! I know it's a worry, but I bet you don't have to!

[kimlovescats]

As you know, I recently lost my most beloved Tucker to FIP. I cannot and WILL NOT live my life in fear of this dreaded disease. There comes a point when you have to just go on Faith and value quality of life over quantity. I choose to love all of my babies as if today is their last day ... anything further is a blessing!

[Kirsten]

K & L, my cats are vaccinated, but not against FIP! The FIP vaccine only works 60% and there may be a risk that it makes the "harmless" corona virus - if the cat had it already - may mutate easier under the influence of the vaccine. That's why many vets here recommand not to use it. It has a very bad reputation over here, and I read worrisome articles about it, so I decided against it.

Kim, I know you have lost your beloved Tucker... ...and it's probably the best to look at things the way you do and keep your faith... but I just can't help but being worried. I always wanted to protect my cats as much as possible.

Kirsten

[Lacey]

Kirsten, that's right. I did lose a kitty to FIP. Dear little Isabel was in my home for two weeks before it was discovered that she had FIP and had to be PTS. For a bit I was utterly terrified for Zelda. And once enough time passed to get Zelda tested, I took her in and the results were positive.

But I always keep in mind that a positive result doesn't necessarily mean anything, because I think I remember reading somewhere that even the common cold is a corona virus. As long as she seems to be feeling fine, I try not to worry. And ever since I dragged Mowgli out of the wild and into my home, she's been more active than ever.

[moosmom]

Kirsten,

I wouldn't worry too much. MooShoo was also exposed to the FIP virus. He doesn't HAVE it though. There are two types, the wet type which is the kind that is contagious and the dry type which just means your cat exposed to it. Moo is healthy as a horse. In fact, he IS a horse!! All 15 pounds of him.

As long as Luna is eating, pooping, drinking and acting normally, don't worry.

[rosethecopycat]

In addition to exposure to FIP there are age factors and genetic factors.

If your cat is under 2 or over 10 they are more suseptable to FIP.

So, they have to have the corona virus, it has to mutate, the cat has to be genetically predisposed, and age is a factor.

My 3 cats have been with a former foster that died, 5 months after he left here.

It is a worry, but I keep it at the back of my mind. I just watch that everyone eats and acts normal.

Testing and vaccines are pretty useless.

I pray for all those dealing with this awful disease.

[catmandu]

Kirsten,if your Cats,have thier shots,up to date,I dont thionk,that unless they were with the infected Cats,a lot,that they are in danger,and we are praying,that this is so.