Catmandu,

I am so sorry to hear about poor Gem. Please listen to me, as I speak from experience.

IF Nugget tests positive for FIP, which he probably will, it doesn't necessarily mean a death sentence for him. It simply means that he was exposed to FIP, not that he actually HAS the disease.

MooShoo tested positive for FIP at the age of 9 months. He is now 3 years old and weighs 14 pounds!! All of my cats have since been exposed to it as well because they've been around Moo.

Before I started fostering cats from the shelter, I asked my vet about Moo and his testing positive for FIP. She told me that the only way you can positively identify what type of FIP (FIP is 7 coronaviruses) is when the cat passes and a necropsy is done. She said it would be a waste of time to have every single one of my cats tested.

Here are some links that might help you understand it better.

http://web.vet.cornell.edu/public/fhc/fip.html (I have the Cornell Book of Cat which I consider my bible!!)

http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/fip/

http://www.thevet.com/vetfip1.htm

I hope these will help you. Cats with FIP can and DO live happy, healthy lives. MooShoo is living proof and so are my other cats who have been exposed to Moo

Unless Nugget is very sick, please take him home and let him enjoy life. Do NOT let your vet talk you into euthanization. And please keep us posted.