Oh God, what do I do?

OK, yesterday the vet office called with the results of Popsies complete blood workup. I had them fax everything to my Moms work and she just got home with them. I see that Popsie tested postitive for the FIP antibody!!!!!!!! His doctor won't be in until tomorrow so I have to wait to talk to her. I am freaking out. It also says results have been rechecked and verified so it's not a false positive.

Oh no! I'm *so* sorry to hear this sad news concerning your dear Popsies Don't give up just yet, the vet could still be wrong.

How old is Popsies and what were some of the symptoms that she was experiencing before you brought her in?

Sending you lots of *hugs*

He's 17 and I didn't bring him in for any symptoms. He has CRF and he went in for a checkup. They did a complete work up. I have a friend that just told me not to worry because that test doesn't mean anything necessarily.

Originally Posted by luvmycat1

I have a friend that just told me not to worry because that test doesn't mean anything necessarily.

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Your cat isn't around other cats, is he? If he isn't and he hasn't had any symptoms, the likelihood of that test being accurate is slim from what I've read here. Apparently they can get false positive readings. The fact that Popsie is 17 years old and has never shown a symptom speaks volumes in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Your cat isn't around other cats, is he? If he isn't and he hasn't had any symptoms, the likelihood of that test being accurate is slim from what I've read here. Apparently they can get false positive readings. The fact that Popsie is 17 years old and has never shown a symptom speaks volumes in my opinion.

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The only time he's been around other cats is at the vets. He's been several times since around Sept. of last year.

Originally Posted by luvmycat1

The only time he's been around other cats is at the vets. He's been several times since around Sept. of last year.

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That shouldn't matter.

Originally Posted by luvmycat1

OK, yesterday the vet office called with the results of Popsies complete blood workup. I had them fax everything to my Moms work and she just got home with them. I see that Popsie tested postitive for the FIP antibody!!!!!!!! His doctor won't be in until tomorrow so I have to wait to talk to her. I am freaking out. It also says results have been rechecked and verified so it's not a false positive.

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Don't freak out just yet. Ask your vet about Interferon. My two FIP cats have been on it for over a year now, and are doing well on it.

I sure hope Popsie will be okay!


~KK~

According to what I'm reading just because he tested positive doesn't mean he has it.

My Yoshi tested Positive twice before he died and the Vet told me it didnt me anything. Yoshi had not ever been outside in his life. It can be a false Pos. I would not worry to much. It was never proven my Yoshi had fip for sure. He also had Kidney Stones that could not be removed. I hope he will be ok.

Testing positive for the antibody just means that at some point in his life, he was exposed to a cat with the coronovirus. The so-called FIP antibody is not specific to FIP and will show positive to any strain of the Feline Enteric Coronavirus. FIP is only a type of strain of it--most other strains are not a big deal.

From the Merck Veterinary Manual (http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in...bc/23304.htm):
"The virus is ubiquitous in cats, and many cats that recover from the infection remain carriers. Enteric coronavirus infection can be prevented only by minimizing exposure to infected cats and their feces. Cats with the enteric disease do not progress to develop clinical signs of FIP. Most cats develop an effective immune response on exposure and recover from infection."

If your cat isn't showing any symptoms of the disease, he doesn't have it. There are no accurate tests for FIP while the cat is still alive--the only official diagnosis is made through testing tissues samples, which are typically only taken through necropsy.

Prayers and for Popsies

OK, I finally got a change to speak with Popsie's vet today. She said there is no reason to think he has FIP.

Thats great news, continued Prayers and

I am very happy for you and Poopsie. She is a very lucky cat to have owner like you!

Originally Posted by sailahara

I am very happy for you and Poopsie. She is a very lucky cat to have owner like you!

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Thanks.

i'm sooo glad to hear your sweetie doesn't have it!!! He really is lucky to hav you as his mum

Originally Posted by luvmycat1

OK, I finally got a change to speak with Popsie's vet today. She said there is no reason to think he has FIP.

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Well thank goodness! I've been watching this thread hoping it wasn't.

Sending some vibes for Popsie.

So much worry and stress all to find out that Popsie is just fine! Goodness! I'm so glad! It's really too bad they can't come up with more conclusive tests that wouldn't scare us with these crazy false positives!

Certain terms make us feel panicky and FIP is one of them. From what I read the antibody means nothing. I was told that it is deadly in young cats but older cats will have the antibody.

Originally Posted by luvmycat1

OK, I finally got a change to speak with Popsie's vet today. She said there is no reason to think he has FIP.

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YAY!!!! Very happy to hear that!