Lost a Kitten to FIP, Now Totally Paranoid About Sister

[HelloAgain]

former frequent poster, occasional visitor since my horse passed away several years ago. I’m visiting because this is the one place where I feel like you can get sane, compassionate advice about animals.

Monday we lost our dear sweet 6-month old foster-kitten-that-we-adopted to Feline Infectious Peritonitis or FIP. She was truly the gentlest and sweetest of little kitties and I am still heartbroken. She is survived by her full sister the smart, inquisitive, pesty one.

FIP, for those lucky enough not to know about it, is caused by a very common and basically innocuous virus (Feline Enteric Corona Virus or FECV), which in 5% of cases mutates inside the body and causes an autoimmune reaction which always proves fatal. It is not known why the virus mutates, only that genetics and stress both seem to be factors. The available tests can only show if a cat has been exposed to FECV, not whether they have or will convert to FIPV. Some cats carry the FECV for years and never convert.

We learned that FIP itself is not contagious but that siblings may share a genetic predisposition to “convert” from FECV to FIPV. We also found that there is no way to predict which related cats will convert, and that the only thing that can be done to avoid it is feed a good diet and avoid stressful situations like travel. We bleached the litter box and everything in the litter box bathroom, threw out the cat beds, etc, to limit re-exposure to the extent that that’s possible.

So now, basically, she’s the picture of health and I’m just worried about her all the time. She’s not showing any outward symptoms (ie, swollen belly, lethargy, weightloss/failure to thrive, and any type of neurological behavior) and she’s eating normally – a half cup of Halo dry, plus a can of MaxCat Kitten with Fortiflora mixed in (split into 2 meals). She spent all day begging me to play and playing vigorously. But as soon as she lays down on the bed (as she’s doing now) I’m like, oh, god is it starting?

I don’t know if I need sympathy or a good shake. maybe both.

BTW, this year we also lost my 18 yo kitty to geriatric kidney failure, and our 14 yo kitty to cancer. It’s been a rough year.

[cowboymom]

We lost a cat to it years ago and had five other cats at the time. I was scared to death for my other cats too and spent a long time being paranoid that they were coming down with it. It’s been about seven years now and none of the other cats have been sick a day in their lives-TOTALLY fine. Try to just take things as they come; worrying isn’t going to make the difference anyway and in my experience, there’s no reason to let that fear take over even though I know how scary it is.

I’m sorry for your losses-hug the little one you have there with you and think good positive happy cat thoughts for her. :yes:

[NoDQhere]

I have rescued, trapped, and spuetered cats for years. I used to use natural, grain based cat litters because I had read that clumping clay litters would get ingested by cats, clog them up and kill them. I would periodically loose a cat to FIP and sometimes to FELV.

Then I read “somewhere” that the Bentonite (sp) clumping clay litters were very effective anti viral, anti bacterials. Kind of the same way Bio Sponge works in the gut. I am no scientist, nor do I claim to be, but I switched to clumping clay litter a few years ago now, and I have not lost a cat to anything but the complications of old age in a long time.

The last bout of FIP killed two littermates that I had gotten very attached to and I was desperate to find a way to prevent it happening again. I do not remember where I found the information about the clay but it seems to be working.

[cowboymom]

You can buy 50 lbs of bentonite crumbles at most feed stores for about $7-10… Interesting thought on that.

[FatDinah]

Not what you want to hear: As a rescue, we had 12 kittens out of 4 litters over three weeks die of FIP. Fosters brought the litters of kittens in to get their shots on the same day for a weekly visit by a pro bono vet so all went into one wall kennel for 1-4 hours. Probably one kitten or one litter was infected but exposed all the others.

After that, we had a rule to keep litters totally separate until they’d finished all their shots and were ready to be spayed/neutered and adopted.

[BasqueMom]

Use clumping litter and have lost some foster cats to FIP. One grown guy
and a year or so later, 3 kittens, different litters, no relations, other siblings fine,
each was about 3-4 months apart (plenty of time for virus to die out). And another one a few months after being adopted. Nasty, nasty disease. One of our foster mom’s took in a fluffy white pregnant female who had 4-5 gorgeous fluffy kittens. When the kittens were big enough for spay/neuter, FIP was discovered and mom along with the babies were put down.

From what I understand, it can be passed on from the mother, and also from
other cats (i.e., don’t let your cats interact with strange cats outdoors if you can
help it). There was a vaccine but any stress would still bring on the FIP.

Fingers crossed for your other one…and hugs!

[HelloAgain]

Thanks, NoDQHere we already use a clumping bentonite-based litter (its what we’ve always used and also what the ASPCA recommended). The FECV can be carried on tracked litter dust, but the type of litter doesn’t determine which FECV positive cats will convert and get FIP. Generally 90% of the cats in a shelter environment will test FECV positive. Ironically, my cats, though they came from the ASPCA, were held in quarantine (sent to cat-free foster homes) because of suspected FeLV (they were both negative at 6 months). so they almost certainly were infected with FECV before they were in the shelter.

And thank you for your reply cowboymom, I’m glad all your kitties came through. Give them all lots of hugs for me.

I did read something great: Researchers at Cornell just in July 2013 identified which part of the FECV mutates to become FIPV, which is a huge amazing breakthrough in a disease about which little is known.

[mswillie]

We lost a kitten to it about 6 years ago. The mom cat had been abandoned here pregnant and she had 3 kittens. The other 2 kittens and the mama cat are still here.

We also have several unrelated cats and haven’t seen the disease since.

[shayaalliard]

It’s pretty rare- in my years at the store I saw it twice.

Both times we lost one kitten, and the littermates were fine. It is a small sample size, I know, but there is hope. I did notice that the one who popped up with it was both times sort of “off” beforehand- a little smaller, a little grubbier, a little less solid.

It does also sometimes occur without the swelling belly, etc. "dry’ fip is much harder to diagnose, and even more rare. We had one suspected case, but he turned out not to be. He ended up at home with me, and lived to be nine before a car tragedy.

[SquishTheBunny]

How old is your cat now, is she a genetic sibling to the one you lost? The chances of mutating to FIP > 1 year of age are significantly diminished. We often see FIP between 3-9 months. Its very rare after that

I can totally understand your concern, but try to stay positive. Its a rare mutation from corona, but theres a boatload of healthy corona cats out there who never develop peritonitis.

[Coyoteco]

I, too, had one cat (1.5 years old) die of FIP. She was one of a litter we rescued as tiny kittens. I, too, was scared and discussed it with several vets. The bottom line was that none of the others had any problems. I had some very old cats at the time, and they remained unaffected.

eta. I do use clumping litter.

[clint]

I have a sibling of a kitten who died of FIP. The sibling is now a healthy middle aged cat, and has always been that way. I’m so sorry for your loss. FIP happens, and over the years, with the fostering I do, I lose a few to it. I’m hopeful that someday there will be a research breakthrough and there will be a vaccine for it.

[HelloAgain]

[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;7444472]
How old is your cat now, is she a genetic sibling to the one you lost? The chances of mutating to FIP > 1 year of age are significantly diminished. We often see FIP between 3-9 months. Its very rare after that
.[/QUOTE]
she is six months old and a full genetic sister to the one who passed away.

So you see, she has the greatest possible chance of converting right now, which is the cause of my anxiety. (add in the stress of losing her sister, and you have a nice paranoia-inducing trifecta).

shayaalliard Dr. Pedersen at UC-Davis believes that unequal litters (where one is the runt, and one is clearly the strongest) are more likely to convert to FIP than equally sized litters but other equally prominent FIP researchers are doubtful there’s any connection. BTW Pedersen is running a massive genetic study on FIP there at Davis - anyone with a FIP diagnosis or a full sibling/parent of a FIP cat can send a cheek swab and contribute to the study.

In any event, my two were like literal twins at 3 months, and, if anything, the deceased kitten gave the impression of being a little stockier, a little more confident. Which goes to show you that things don’t always fit the pattern.

However, thanks to all you I am feeling a little less freaked out.

[iberianfan]

I don’t have much to add, except that I, too, have a full sibling to a kitten that was lost to FIP. For whatever reason, the whole experience for me was extremely traumatic. Maybe because I spent hours at the emergency/specialist vet where other animals were in tragic circumstances and there were lots of tears. He was less than a year and was not in contact with any other cats after I adopted him and his sister from a shelter. He went to my mom, I still have his sister. My vet said, not only can it come from the mother, but also perhaps in overcrowded conditions. A month or so after his death, my girl got lethargic and I totally panicked. All tests were normal and she is fine, over a year later. I SO understand your paranoia. I felt the same way - the FIP was so horrible, for me, anyway. Just sending you a hug and know that your kitty can be just fine.

[GypsyQ]

I have seen it go both ways. I worked in a shelter where a feral colony was taken in. 27 of the 28 cats died of FIP.

I have also had a cat whose sister died from it. He was the picture of health until the day he died (hit by a car). I currently have one who had a littermate die of it. He is 1.5 yrs old now and as far as I know, all the other littermates are fine, as well.

[HelloAgain]

[QUOTE=iberianfan;7445686]
I don’t have much to add, except that I, too, have a full sibling to a kitten that was lost to FIP. For whatever reason, the whole experience for me was extremely traumatic. … I SO understand your paranoia. I felt the same way - the FIP was so horrible, for me, anyway. Just sending you a hug and know that your kitty can be just fine.[/QUOTE]
Thank you for you words, it really means a lot to me. It was traumatic, more than I ever could have expected, despite the fact that I’ve lost other personal cats over the years, my horse, and also lesson horses, barn cats, etc.

[HelloAgain]

Hey everyone, Vorenus aka Twoot just turned 1 and is doing great so far. We’ll be taking her in for a full blood panel and titer her to see if she’s cleared the FeCV virus. Jingling!

I want to thank everyone again for their kind words. It really meant a lot to me. You guys are the greatest!

[cowboymom]

Excellent news! Glad to hear a good update, I was scared to open the thread!

[BabyGreen]

Just found out one of my littermates (now 3.5 year old) has FIP. The other one seems fine. Am going to have the well one’s blood checked for titers this week. These cats have been together since birth. For now, am giving prednisone and high calorie food to the sick one. Vet is checking on experimental treatment, but it looks very pricey and no guarantee of cure… Hope too keep her alive until she wants to leave me.

[Petrie]

We lost our beautiful 1 year 10 month old kittie to FIP 2 days ago. I had never even heard of this awful virus until now and like many of you we were completely devastated when our vet told us there was nothing that could be done. We are now very worried about his brother, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, though from reading these posts there doesn’t seem to be a logical pattern that the mutation to FIP follows…we can only hope he stays healthy. I wanted to post on here a link that I found while searching for answers. It is an article talking about a paper that was published last year where in a sample of 8 cats, 6 survived FIP and did not relapse after 8 months following a month course of a new drug. The full text to the paper is also available for free, and I include this link too. While it is too late for many of us, it’s seems like there is at last hope that a treatment for this horrific virus will be found in our life times. My thoughts are with those who have lost cats to this terrible virus…RIP kitties x.

http://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/dr-coates/2016/april/new-drug-may-mean-fip-no-longer-death-sentence-cats-34010

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4814111/