Nutkin and FIP

jennyr

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Although the vets ruled out FIP with Nutkin because he didn't have enough symptoms, after the autopsy I am sure he did have it. I have been reading up on it and now know that some cats are very asymptomatic, and he did have the main things - a recurrent fever that is resistant to antibiotics, variable appetite and fast respiration. Add that his chest cavity was full of fluid and it seems classic.

I am now of course worried about the other cats. During the five weeks that he was with me, he lived with Ginger Tom and my daughter Faith's two 7 month old kittens, Bilbo and Mina, in a separate part of the house to my cats. These four shared beds, litter trays and food bowls. I have now moved Ginger and the kittens into the cottage while I disinfect their original quarters. I have removed all bedding, washed all floors and surfaces with bleach and boiling water, and sterilised the trays and dishes. I shall not move them back for at least three weeks, the time that the virus can live in the atmosphere. But it feels a bit like closing the stable door long after the horse has bolted.

They all seem healthy, no signs of a primary infection like coughing or runny noses, which is the first sign. Is there anything else I can do? If they are already infected vaccination is useless and is controversial anyway. I know some of you have lived with FIP and may have some experience to share with me. I can only thank my lucky stars that I did not mix him with my cats - at least I have only three to worry about. Although there is always a remote possibility that I myself carried the virus into the main house on shoes or clothing. This is a nightmare.
 

emrldsky

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Nuh uh...might give me away!
How old was Nutkin? With the other cats being over 6 months of age, I would think their immune systems were strong enough that they could fight it. You're doing all the right things.

And I'm sorry you had to lose him to FIP. I had a kitten less than two weeks when it died of FIP, and the shelter KNEW they had an outbreak of it (they gave me a song and dance about not spaying/neutering before the kittens left the shelter at that time because of their immune systems).

It's really a heartbreaking process, but you did the best you could for him. He was loved and cared for very much, and you should feel good about that.
 

katiemae1277

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the first thing that you need to understand about FIP, Jenny, is that FIP itself is not contagious, it is the corona virus that can possibly mutate into FIP that is spread. Most cats have this corona virus, especially if they have ever been in a shelter environment. A vast majority of cats that carry this corona virus never develop FIP. I belive that I have had a death or 2 due to FIP although I have never had a necropsy done to verify.
 

mews2much

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I lost Yoshi to Kidney Stones and they believe dry Fip.
All test were pos but that can happen.
My Oreo was 5 months when Yoshi was pts.
I have his mom and she is fine except she has a heart murmur and eye problems.
None of my cats got sick from Yoshi.
 
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jennyr

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Yes, I know it is the coronavirus that is spread and may or may not mutate to FIP. But all the articles say that if a cat catches the virus it will experience a 'primary infection' which is a signal that the virus exists in its body. It can then be weeks, months, years or never that it develops FIP. Does anyone know how long it should be before this primary infection manifests itself? I also know that around 85% of domestic cats in multicat homes have the virus. However, as mentioned, epidemics of FIP do exist and the more cats at risk the more danger to each one.
For the record, Nutkin was around 12 weeks when he arrived, so 17 weeks at his death. Most of my cats are outside what are the recognised danger zones - Biscotte, BIlbo and Mina are still within the most at risk age.
 

kittkatt

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I used to have quite a few links regarding FIP when Geronimo & Winchester were "diagnosed" with the dry form, but I lost them all when the computer crashed. But if I come across anything, I'll be sure to post it.

Regarding the FIP vaccination, I've read and also heard from several different vets now that the FIP shot is useless, and most vets won't administer them anymore. Apparently, they can cause more harm than good.


I wish I had more advice to offer. I am so sorry for your loss.
 

kluchetta

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Oh Jenny, I'm so sorry - I hadn't heard the bad news about Nutkin, but I did suspect FIP with that fever.


You remember Smudge the first had it, and all the kittens had some sort of respiratory infection at the age of about 10 weeks. Smudge was the only one that got sick, and that was when he was neutered. None of the others had it mutate at neutering. In addition, I had Tigger, who was about 16 at the time, tested, and it was negative for coronavirus exposure. And also Elsa, Smudge's mom.

The only way I think they could have gotten it is at the vets, because that's the only place they ever went. I think they got sick a couple weeks after that visit. Hope that helps. and, sorry.
 
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jennyr

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Originally Posted by kluchetta

Oh Jenny, I'm so sorry - I hadn't heard the bad news about Nutkin, but I did suspect FIP with that fever.


You remember Smudge the first had it, and all the kittens had some sort of respiratory infection at the age of about 10 weeks. Smudge was the only one that got sick, and that was when he was neutered. None of the others had it mutate at neutering. In addition, I had Tigger, who was about 16 at the time, tested, and it was negative for coronavirus exposure. And also Elsa, Smudge's mom.

The only way I think they could have gotten it is at the vets, because that's the only place they ever went. I think they got sick a couple weeks after that visit. Hope that helps. and, sorry.
Thanks - that is helpful and a little reassuring. I have discussed it all with the vet this morning and we have ordered interferon courses for the two 7month old kits. It is unbelievably expensive, but they are the ones most at risk so it is worth it. And the vet did not charge me for the autopsy, so I can afford it.

We will start it tomorrow for five days, and hope that boosts their immune systems.
 

kittkatt

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Originally Posted by jennyranson

Thanks - that is helpful and a little reassuring. I have discussed it all with the vet this morning and we have ordered interferon courses for the two 7month old kits. It is unbelievably expensive, but they are the ones most at risk so it is worth it. And the vet did not charge me for the autopsy, so I can afford it.

We will start it tomorrow for five days, and hope that boosts their immune systems.
The Interferon is expensive, but IMO, well worth it. Both Geronimo & Winchester are doing really well on it.
Winchester hasn't had one of his "attacks" in a loooong time now, and Geronimo had one about a month or so ago, but it wasn't as severe and it didn't last as long as they did before he started on the Interferon treatment.


I hope your babies do as well on the stuff as mine are.
 

booktigger

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Fingers crossed for the others - mutation into FIP depends on each cats immune system - a good immune system will deal with it and that will be it, a relatively good one will deal wtih it but it may stay in the system to come out at a later stage - I think this is when they develop FIP in old age, that happened to my neighbours cat, and normally when something stressful happens (hers was a dental and a new dog in the house), a poor immune system will allow the virus to mutate into dry FIP, and a very poor one will allow it to mutate into wet FIP, which is the worse of the two as it happens so quickly.
 
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jennyr

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Well, the two kittens have had their five days on Interferon and I hope they don't need more, as it is so expensive (140 euros per course). I am going to try and get some transfer factor as that is a lot cheaper and they could stay on it for longer. So far though they seem fine, doing all the things kittens should do, so unlike poor Nutkin.
 

kittkatt

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Originally Posted by jennyranson

Well, the two kittens have had their five days on Interferon and I hope they don't need more, as it is so expensive (140 euros per course). I am going to try and get some transfer factor as that is a lot cheaper and they could stay on it for longer. So far though they seem fine, doing all the things kittens should do, so unlike poor Nutkin.
Chances are, they'll need to be on it for the rest of their lives. It's that way for my two FIP babies, anyway..


How are you having to give them the Interferon? Is it by an injection, or in the oral form? Mine are getting theirs orally every other week, and I'm paying $100.00 for 100 ccs - which last several months. I think it's a lot more expensive if you go the route of injections. You may want to ask your vet about it...

I hope the stuff works for your two.
I'm sorry to hear that poor Nutkin didn't make it.


RIP, sweet Nutkin.
 
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