Oh no. I found a little kitten in the road! (Photo update!)

[RobLynn]

What is FIP?

[sasvermont]

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a major viral disease of both wild and domestic cats that is almost always fatal. It was first discovered in the 1960s, and in 1970 the causative virus was identified as a coronavirus, which are a group of viruses that cause disease in pigs, dogs, and humans. However, FIP virus (FIPV) does not infect humans. Although coronavirus infection is common among cats, the incidence of feline infectious peritonitis is less than 1%. It occurs more commonly in multicat households and in purebred cats. For example, the Burmese breed seems to be more susceptible to FIP. Sometimes a period of stress occurs just before the development of FIP, such as neutering, vaccination, or moving.


FIP affects cats of all ages and both genders, but mostly young (kitten to two years) and older (fifteen years) cats. This may be due to the undeveloped immune system in the young cat, and weakening immunity in the older cat. It is possible for several kittens in a litter to develop FIP. It may be a factor in "kitten mortality complex," that is, the unexplained deaths of fetuses, newborns, and the very young.



Not all cats infected with the virus become seriously ill, but infected cats with mild symptoms or even no symptoms can become carriers and pass it on to other cats for as long as several years. A carrier cat that develops lowered immunity may eventually develop the full-blown disease.


Although the way FIPV is spread is not yet clear, the major source of the virus is in the feces of cats. Since it is rather unstable, it cannot survive more than a few weeks in the environment, so environmental spread is probably not a major source of the infection. It is also possible for cats that have had no contact with diseased cats to develop FIP. In multicat households that have had cats with FIP, it may mysteriously recur after months of being free of disease.


After a cat ingests the virus, replication follows in the pharynx and small intestine. The virus can be shed from the throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines and spread to other cats one to ten days later. It then reaches the lymphoid tissue, and eventually the infection spreads throughout the body. The virus may incubate for as long as several years before symptoms appear, when the disease is no longer contagious.


There are a number of strains of FIPV--some more virulent than others--and a cat with a strong immune system may not develop the disease. The presence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may predispose a cat to the development of FIP.

Some of the initial clinical signs of FIP are fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. Other cats have sneezing, watery eyes, and nose discharge. Several weeks later, more definitive symptoms appear. The disease at this point is divided into wet or dry, but many cats have a mixture of the two.


In wet FIP (around 60-70% of FIP cases), fluid accumulates in body cavities--most commonly the abdominal cavity--with gross abdominal swelling; or the thoracic cavity, which may cause breathing problems.


In dry FIP, lesions develop in different sites, and symptoms depend on what organs are affected. In up to 50% of cases, eye inflammation or neurological problems such as paralysis, unsteady gait, and seizures will develop. Other lesions may affect the kidneys, liver or gastrointestinal area.


FIP is difficult to diagnose through standard laboratory tests, and many veterinarians don't bother with blood tests. However, some tests can help point to FIP as a cause for your cat's condition. The coronavirus titer test can determine the presence of coronavirus in your cat. X-ray and analysis of fluid present in the body cavities is one of the most useful tests. Examination of biopsied tissue is another way FIP can be confirmed.


Thus far, there is no effective treatment available for FIP. Infected cats can be treated symptomatically, but euthanasia becomes the only option as the disease progresses. Alternative veterinarians recommend homeopathy, herbs, and nutrition to treat symptoms, but not as a cure.


The most effective way to deal with FIPV is through strict control of infection. In a multicat household, any cats with signs of possible FIP should be isolated and kept indoors until a diagnosis is made. This is especially important if the cat is pregnant. After her kittens are born, they should be removed from her after four to six weeks (by that time they will have acquired antibodies from the mother, and started producing their own) to protect them from acquiring any viruses from her, including FIPV.


Hygiene is crucial in controlling FIPV. Make sure litter boxes are scooped daily, throw away the rest of the litter every week, and disinfect the boxes with bleach. Also clean and disinfect the area around the box. Use at least one litter box for every two cats. Change food and water daily, and disinfect bowls and utensils weekly. Almost any common household disinfectant can be used to destroy FIPV, which can survive up to three weeks in the home.


Other measures to control FIP include minimizing stress, especially if you have more than one cat. Do not bring new cats into the home for six months. And you might consider screening your cats for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, which suppress the immune system of the cat and predispose it to developing FIP.


A vaccine is available for FIPV, but it is controversial and some veterinarians do not recommend it. Studies are continuing to create a more effective vaccine that will cover all strains of FIPV.

My vet tested Miley for FIP and she tested positive. That means that she was exposed to it, not that she has it. She does have issues with soft stools and we are working on that. So although she tested positive it seems that testing the other three cats is pointless because there is no treatment for it! Something else to worry about!

Now aren't you sorry you asked?

[Reachoutrescue]

Good save on that little one. Wow what a mouth full of info on the FIP...you got me worried. My Olney, Illinois rescues are sneezing, and have watery eyes...the vet says just a URI...but now I am second guessing. Keep us posted on the little one. Oh, can we PLEASE see pics? We at PT are picture-a-holics!

[kimlovescats]

Good job, SAS! Can't wait to see some pictures!

[sasvermont]

And while I was looking for the camera, I took the time to find rechargeable batteries and recharged them! How about that for thinking ahead?

Today is Vet day for Timstead, the little kitty. I know, he has a name, not a good sign! I named him Timstead because he was found in front of the farm called Timstead Farm.

I will take photos of him today, after the vet visit and hopefully with the guy who is going to adopt him. Even if the guy says no, and he just might, I will still take the photos. I have my camera WITH ME today! I never cease to amaze myself somedays......thinking ahead.....!

Well, I had better get to work. The appointment is for 11:30, thus I must leave 1/2 earlier for travel time. Timstead is in the car - its cool out right now...in the 50's....so the car is fine. He is in his carrier, large enough for a lion....along with his litter box and food.

He is doing so nicely with the litter box. He had me scared there on the first day. He pooped all over the place. Day two was fine.....and hey, its already day 3, nearly 4!

I will keep everyone posted.

I just love little kittens. I know I cannot do this too often....or else I will fail at the delivery stage.



UPDATE: The fellow at the office is taking the kitten and keeping his name (assuming it is a male ) So Timstead has a home. We have the Vet visit....and few more hours in the car and then off to his new home! I will buy the food, post, pay for the alterations and offer free cat sitting services as well. Its a deal made in heaven. Another kitten saved!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I hope that everything goes well at Timsteads vet visit and I'm so glad that he also has a home. I can't wait to see pictures of him. He sure sounds adorable. Now you'll also be able to watch him grow up.

[sasvermont]

He spent the afternoon on my lap, since he will be going to his new home tonight.

Here's what he had done to him:

Ear mite removal. What a gross scene that was...oh my gosh. He will have meds for 6 weeks.

He had three kitten shots...don't recall what for....

Stool sample....he has round worms and some other unusual parasite. So meds for three days straight then again in three weeks.

He had fleas and they put a flea treatment on him at half strength.

I scheduled a vet appointment in three weeks with my vet, so his new purents don't have to go if they don't want to. I just want to see this through to the "final alteration".

My vet knew of the kittens, as the farm had a "free kittens" sign out all weekend. I guess this one didn't get adopted. The vet was also familar with the gray cat we think it Timstead's Mom.

All in all, the kitten was well behaved. I, on the other hand, got a speeding ticket (3 points and $144) on my way back from the vet.

No good deed goes unpunished.

Let me go take some photos right now. I will upload them this evening, when I get home.

SAS

Yea! Timstead

I promise to download some more tonight......didn't have time to do the Imagestation thing last evening.

By the way, Timstead had a quiet night last night and was a good boy and used his litter box. They are keeping him in his crate for a few days, until the flea and worm treatments take hold. All in all, his new purents are thrilled with him. Timstead has this look to him....very bright eyed and intelligent looking. You should have seen him looking for me when I had him in the office. When someone else was holding him, he was looking at me! Made me feel so special.

And that is why a would fail "Fostering 101"

[*iluvskipper*]

I'm glad that you saved him! ugh i hate what barn cats have to go through!! i hope you find someone who will adopt him!

[sasvermont]

Update on the kitten:

Timstead = Radar - name changed

Radar is doing just fine. He has a slight URI so is taking meds for that along with the ear mite meds ..... He is using his litter box faithfully and enjoying total freedom of his new home. Chris, his new purrent dad, tells cute stories each day about how Radar found his mirror image for the first time.....and where he sleeps, all tucked away, instead of sleeping with them in their bed....etc. etc. He loves being brushed and combed and is easy to pill ! Can you imagine. Wait until day #14 on the pills, and will see what Chris says then.

All in all, Radar is going to be pampered and loved and protected! I am so darn happy for the little guy. He should change his name to Lucky!

As soon as Chris takes new photos and Radar begins to get bigger, I will pop them up here!

[lizbud]

Aww, the little guy looks like he had quite the experience at the Vets.Looks
like tears in his eyes. Imagine all the new stuff he gets to discover every
single day. I'm sure he should do just fine at his new home. This really
takes me back to the time went my two kitty brothers(Redbud & Micky)
were tiny kittens. I had such fun showing them their reflection in a hand
mirror & letting them experience toys for the first time.It was so neat.

[Marigold2]

Hello,
I have been reading all your messages about picking up the stray male kitten. I think what you did was very caring. I grew up on a farm and we had many cats. We used them to control the mice and rats in the barn. U We started with one or two cats but then more and more appeared. You see a lot of people see a farm and drop off unwanted animals hoping the farmer will adopt them. My mom was outside one day and actually saw someone drive by and fling/throw a baby kitten out the moving car window. It was very badly hurt and died a few moments later. Sometimes I would go into the barn and see two new cats appear overnight. We finally had between 20 and 30 living in the barn. Farmers for the most part do their best, they feed and water their cats and do spend some time petting and talking to them. Farmers love animals if you don't you can't be in this line of work. However no one can take that many cats to a vet for regular care, shots, spaying or neutering. It is simply a different way of life, much different then the one I have now in the burbs. People need to stop throwing their unwanted animials onto farmers land and expecting them to take care of their unwanted pets.
As for this little kitty you have I am sure you will find him a good home. And yes you did do the right thing. His mom will miss him for a while but in a few months she will just have another batch of kittens to feed and worry about and the cycle of life and death marches on.

[zoey]

Thanks for all your help with Radar. Wow, i can't imagine someone digging in my ears to get mites out. Poor baby!!!
Ugh. that mean cop w/ the citation pad should have let you go!! Anyway, i look forward to more pics of this baby.