Petrie, I’m so sorry you lost your cat. It is such a devastating disease, and I have lost several cats over the years to it. Statistically, something like 80 to 90 percent of cats have been exposed to the corona virus, so the fact that the sibling tests positive wouldn’t be alarming to me.
I have a senior cat whose sibling died of FIP before he was a year old. This cat has never had any issues.
If this is the new protease inhibitor that UC Davis is currently running, it is too early to tell but promising. The question is if it does provide some form of cure, will it be brought to market and when. Cats unfortunately are frequently disposable in our society. There are going to be few who can afford the price tag I bet it will bring. We lost our sweet 7 month old Leonard to FIP last March and like you, I have had cats 25 years and had never heard it. It was devastating.
OP, there is a genetic predisposition for siblings if one has FIP. I’m sure it is some undetectable genetic weakness in the immune system. What you feel is FIParanoia. I had/have it with my now 9 month old unrelated kitty Lewis as they lived in the same house. There really isn’t anything to do to prevent it and even less if they contract it. However, the odds are still slim your full sib will get it. Is sib positive for coronavirus? A negative titer means no FIP in their future unless they contract it.
His surviving brother had a blood test about year ago because he had diarrhea…part of the battery was the corona virus, which was positive. But, the test also showed he had a nasty parasite living in his gut, which a course of some pretty intense medication sorted out. At the time my vet mentioned this to me but warned me that it probably wasn’t anything to worry about because it’s very common. I adopted both kittens when they were 8 months old, so it is likely that they already had the virus when I was got them. Having learned what I have in the past week, I’m taking him back to the vet for a repeat blood test and a general check up…it will end me to loose him too :(.
This thread has helped me so much. I have a 7 month old kitten whose brother died of FIP at 13 weeks old. They were incredibly bonded and it was devastating. I am trying to figure out if I should get him fixed right now - or wait a year just to ensure his immune system is strong. I don’t know what to do - and am feeling very scared, like others on here, that little Mishi is going to come down with it. I’ve been getting him acupuncture and giving him herbs and fish oil to try to strengthen his immune system. I’m trying to avoid taking him to the vet because it’s stressful for him, and I don’t want to create any stress, again to help strengthen his immune system. It’s helpful to hear of other’s stories. I’m thankful.
If you can wait, wait. Wait for shots, for anything that causes stress. I’m sure your kitty is strictly indoors, correct?
Reported.
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