FIP and Its Impact on a Cattery

barbarag42

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I lost my kitten to FIP, she was 5 months old. I purchased her from a breeder that will remain nameless. My concern is two fold. The breeder "promised" to replace her, there have been numerous email conversations and I've gone and picked out a kitten however I learned the replacement kitten I picked out has the same father as the one I lost to FIP. It is my understanding that the tendency towards FIP is passed in genetics and that both the mother and father can be carriers. I'm wondering if this is true? After visiting the kitten this last time the breeder indicated he got "sick" from the stress of our visit and that she wanted to wait to release him. It has now been 6 months since losing my kitten and I'm beginning to feel like I'm getting the run a round. Feed back from anyone is appreciated because I'm stumped as to what to do next. I know the breeder has other kittens available and I told her I wasn't opposed to picking a different one but she cut me off and I suspect my emails are being blocked.
 

nansiludie

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I am so sorry that your kitten passed on and  this happened. Yes, it does seem this "cattery" is shady. Blood tests should be done on all breeding cats in a responsible cattery. I am pretty sure a cat either has FIP or it doesn't. A simple blood test can check, if positive then it needs to be known if the cat was given a vaccine for it or not. There is an expensive test that can be run to tell. Also tests should be run to see if the cat is a carrier for genetic issues like kidney or heart. I am thinking it is too late to request a refund. To be honest, I wouldn't deal with these breeders at all. This seems like the cat version of a puppy mill. I can't think of any other way to put it. Maybe you can check and see if any shelters have a cat in the breed you want or any cat at all you'd like to have? There are many purebreds in shelters too.
 

stephenq

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"Susceptibility to FIP is a polygenic inherited trait in Persians and Birmans. Breeds with higher prevalence of FIP include Abyssinian, Bengal, Birman, Himalayan, Ragdoll, and Rex."

"Sexually intact cats, males, and purebred cats have a higher incidence of FIP."

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/g...verview_of_feline_infectious_peritonitis.html
@detmut  would you please explain what "polygenic" means for those of us like myself who don't know/. Many thanks
 

stephenq

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I lost my kitten to FIP, she was 5 months old. I purchased her from a breeder that will remain nameless. My concern is two fold. The breeder "promised" to replace her, there have been numerous email conversations and I've gone and picked out a kitten however I learned the replacement kitten I picked out has the same father as the one I lost to FIP. It is my understanding that the tendency towards FIP is passed in genetics and that both the mother and father can be carriers. I'm wondering if this is true? After visiting the kitten this last time the breeder indicated he got "sick" from the stress of our visit and that she wanted to wait to release him. It has now been 6 months since losing my kitten and I'm beginning to feel like I'm getting the run a round. Feed back from anyone is appreciated because I'm stumped as to what to do next. I know the breeder has other kittens available and I told her I wasn't opposed to picking a different one but she cut me off and I suspect my emails are being blocked.
My understanding is that while some breeds more have more risk, the biggest risk factors are cats in contact with other cats like catteries, breeders etc who have a history of FIP.  If i lost a cat to FIP from a breeder I would never return to that breeder, never.  And blaming you for causing the kitten to become sick is unprofessional and false.  If it was me I would move on and never contact this breeder again.  You shouldn't be worrying about getting the run around from this breeder, you should be running away from them.
 

stephenq

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polygenic just means several different genes
Thanks.  I find when using complicated terms its helpful to posters to explain them.  My vet always talks to me in terms i can understand, but is still able to talk to me with clarity and precision.
 

detmut

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My understanding is that while some breeds more have more risk, the biggest risk factors are cats in contact with other cats like catteries, breeders etc who have a history of FIP.  If i lost a cat to FIP from a breeder I would never return to that breeder, never.  And blaming you for causing the kitten to become sick is unprofessional and false.  If it was me I would move on and never contact this breeder again.  You shouldn't be worrying about getting the run around from this breeder, you should be running away from them.
absolutely. and i agree with everything you said. i was just trying to minimize the chances of FIP in the future. 

" The virus is endemic(persistent) in environments in which many cats are kept together in a confined space (eg, catteries, shelters, pet stores)."

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/g...verview_of_feline_infectious_peritonitis.html
 

stephenq

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