Miley-girl is ill...hope it is routine cat thing!

[Barbara]

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

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

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}}}

[jenluckenbach]

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???

[krazyaboutkatz]

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.

[sasvermont]

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.

[Randy_K]

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.

[sasvermont]

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.