confused about adoption after FIP

I used to be a member here but couldn't remember my username or password lol so I created a new account. Last September I lost my fur baby Chai to FIP when she was only five years old. Her death is something I've had a hard time coming to terms with. She was my baby and even though I have two kids, it was like she was my child too. I have another kitty that I had tested for FIP and the test came back positive for the virus. He doesn't have FIP but I guess he has the coronavirus in his system. I'm confused though because I've read conflicting things about FIP. Some places say there's no specific test for the FIP virus while others say there is?? It also seems about 50/50 in regards to whether or not (and when) to introduce a new kitty to the household. I really want to adopt another cat, not to replace Chai because well, there is no way to replace her, but to fill this emptiness I've felt inside since she passed. Of course I love my other cat but he's not really a "people cat" lol He prefers to spend his time alone and just occasionally come out of his room for a butt rub or two.    I'd prefer to get a kitten, mainly because my other cat is not fond of adult cats and gets along much better with the little ones. In addition, our dog was good friends with Chai and I feel it would be easiest for a new cat to become friends with her if he/she is still quite young. Anyway, I'm confused as to whether or not it would be safe to get another cat?

There is currently only a test available to check for exposure to Coronavirus, but not to distinguish if the virus has mutated into FIP.

I went through a similar experience 5 1/2 yrs ago when our 3 yr old passed from suspected FIP. We also lost our 13 yr old 3 wks later (I'm fairly certain his was due to heart failure.) We had another cat (then aged 11) in the house too. Our vet at the time told us to get rid of all litter boxes, cat beds, etc, start fresh and monitor our remaining cat for 6 months for FIP symptoms. Lucky never did have any problems (I recently lost him at age 17 due to pneumonia.)

We got 2 kittens (aged 6 mo and 4 mo) about a month after losing our 13 yr old. Those two are doing fantastic and haven't shown any issues (and neither have any of the others that have entered the home.)

Many cats that have lived outside have been exposed to the Coronavirus. Only a small percentage of these have the virus mutate into FIP. Even amongst littermates, some may develop it and others not.

Knowing what I know about the virus, I wouldn't bring in a baby kitten into the home. Instead, I would be thinking at least 6 mo so that the immune system is stronger.

There's always the option to have a new cat tested for Coronavirus before bringing it into the home; but, you will for sure get mixed opinions on doing so.

chai tea said:

 

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Hi

Many cats test positive for the corona virus, pretty much any cat who ever had a cold.  There is nothing to do about it and really nothing to worry about despite your awful experience.  By way of analogy (a bit of a stretch but you'll get the point) planes that crash over land always hit the ground, so we should only fly over water.

I would personally never test a cat for corona virus because all you can do with a positive result is worry for basically no reason.  Cats that come from catteries or environments where there are or have been known cases of FIP would change my opinion, but pretty much only in that case.  Whatever you've read about there really being a test for FIP is wrong.  There is 100% agreement on this in the vet community as far as i can tell.

From this link at the Cornell school of Vet Medicine: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_Information/brochure_ftp.cfm

To date, there is no way to screen healthy cats for the risk of developing FIP, and the only way to definitively diagnose FIP is by biopsy, or examination of tissues at autopsy. Generally, veterinarians may rely on a presumptive diagnosis, which can be made with a relatively high degree of confidence by evaluation of the cat's history, presenting symptoms, examination of fluid if it is present, and the results of supporting laboratory tests including a positive coronavirus antibody titer.

Thank you for all the info! Very helpful! The vet told me Chai probably got the FIP causing virus from her mom when she was still in the womb, however I think she likely contracted it from the cat rescue I adopted her from. For all I know, she could have gotten it from my other cat. He was found beaten up and abandoned on the street but I know nothing of his history beyond that. At the time I got him tested, I felt like I just needed to know because I was so distraught. In retrospect, there was probably no point in testing him.

I have no problem with adopting an adult cat, it's just I'm a little worried about how my male kitty (Churchill) will react. I'm concerned he may try to pick a fight. He never got along with Chai and she never liked him either so that didn't help the situation. They would get into terrible fights in the middle of the night. I know Church does like kittens because I fostered several at one point and he adored them. Is there anything I can do to the increase the chances he'll get along with a new (older) cat? 

chai tea said:

 
Thank you for all the info! Very helpful! The vet told me Chai probably got the FIP causing virus from her mom when she was still in the womb, however I think she likely contracted it from the cat rescue I adopted her from. For all I know, she could have gotten it from my other cat. He was found beaten up and abandoned on the street but I know nothing of his history beyond that. At the time I got him tested, I felt like I just needed to know because I was so distraught. In retrospect, there was probably no point in testing him.

I have no problem with adopting an adult cat, it's just I'm a little worried about how my male kitty (Churchill) will react. I'm concerned he may try to pick a fight. He never got along with Chai and she never liked him either so that didn't help the situation. They would get into terrible fights in the middle of the night. I know Church does like kittens because I fostered several at one point and he adored them. Is there anything I can do to the increase the chances he'll get along with a new (older) cat? 

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I would look at the cat introduction articles here http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats and the behavior articles in general here http://www.thecatsite.com/atype/43/Cat_Behavior

and I would also start a thread in the behavior forum if you are getting more serious about it, and below is my standard intro advice.

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There are several steps to a successful introduction, the goal being BFFs, not enemies or angry at you (especially the resident cat).  A careful introduction raises the stress level in incremental steps, allowing both cats, especially the resident cat time to acclimate to the stressor before being introduced to the next level.  You are going to move the "bar" closer and closer to the resident cat until the final step, a supervised face-to-face, becomes  a fender bender and not a car crash.

Step one: Complete separation, putting the new cat is a small room like a bathroom with food, litter and water.  Do not let the cats see each other - too much stress too soon.  Give the new cat time to adjust.  Give both cats time (a week+/-) to get used to this.  They will know each other is there.  Start feeding the resident cat nearer to the door, adjusting daily until he is at the door eating. Do voluntary scent exchange by rubbing the new cat's cheeks on a sock and then offering the sock as a gift to the resident. Don't force him to smell the sock, don't rub it on him. Observe his behavior and allow it.   Rub a clean sock on his cheeks and offer it to the new cat.  Continue to do this but never force either cat to interact with the other cat's sock.

When they are reasonably calm with everything in step one go to:

Step Two:  Allow the cats to see each other.  Two baby gates stacked on top of each other in the open door is a great way.  Cracking the door open and blocking it into position so they can't get through the door is another way.  With many cats the stress of this will make them revert, but it would have been much worse if you had started with this step.  Continue as if this was step one, but now with them seeing each other.  When they are both calm, no hissing or growling, you can go to:

Step Three: After eating meals and feeling satisfied (full stomach = less aggressive) and trimmed nails, you can start to do brief supervised introductions face to face.  Watch their body language and reactions and increase their time together until you are confident that they can manage on their own.

In General, treat the resident cat like he is King.  Don't do things to make him jealous. Don't discipline either cat for showing aggression, punishing them for what they feel is a normal behavior (and is normal for them) just raises the stress.  And follow your cats' lead on the speed of the introduction, there are no rules other than to listen to them.

Once the introduction is accomplished, you may not be done as they may have simply reached the point where now they have to learn to live with and like each other, and that can take quite some time, with active and positive support from you, never disciplining either cat for acting out, but keeping everything positive by encouraging play together, distraction when that doesn't work, etc.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

 

Thank you so much!!