Can my cat catch FIP in a cat pension?

Hi,

I will go on vacation for a few days in June and will put my two year-old female cat at a cat pension. She is vaccinated agains feline leukemia, panleucopenia, calcivirose, rhinotracheitis, and rabies, even if she does not go outside. I visited the premises last month. It is very clean and was impressed by how cats are taken care of. My concern is that I read about so many stories on this website about cats who caught FIP and the dramatic consequences of this disease. The pension owner will let my cat out of her big cage twice a day, to let her play, probably with the other cats. This is why I chose this pension, as my cat will not be confined in a cage for 5 days, and can get out.

Is she at risk of catching FIP? I know for sure that the owners of all cats staying there must show a proof (vaccination certificates from the vet) that their animal was vaccinated against all diseases mentioned above, except for FIP.

I realise she may get fleas and worms, but I will treat her one week before she goes there with Revolution, and again one month after.

Thank you for your reply!

Nath. 1

I don't know what a pension is - is it like a normal cattery? Personally, I wouldn't want my cat to mix with other cats at a cattery and wouldn't consider leaving them anywhere that allowed that. Maybe I've misunderstood the situation?

No, that's what I meant : a cattery!

I think being around a animal infected she would get it, but if she is vaccinated then am not sure...

WHy not just hire a pet sitter?

I have had quite a bad experience with a pet sitter in the past, in spite of good references she gave me. When I got home after my vacation, I realised after a couple of days she had been through my things, and had used my books in the library (not put back at the same place), some books she stained with coffee. One experience of that kind is enough.

Nath, are you willing to consider boarding your cat at a veterinary clinic??? That's what I do when I have to be away for a few days, and the cost is quite reasonable. My veterinary clinic charges only $10 a day (U.S. dollars) to board animals. Plus she'll be in good hands on the slim chance that she develops problems while you're away.

I used to petsit, and I never did anything in the house that did not involve the pets, unless they asked me to water the plants, get the mail, etc. I would never go through their stuff!! Or use their books, or make coffee! Was your petsitter staying at your house? If so, consider one who stops by two or three times a day.
I fed the pets, made sure they had clean water, cleaned out the litterboxes, walked the dog for a while or played with the cats, one who was sick required that I clean the carpets in numerous places. Sometimes I would sit down and watch tv or something for a half hour or so just to keep the cat company, esp the sick one. And I only charged 5$ a day. Most of the people were also people I babysat for, though. You could ask around if you live in the kind of neighborhood where people actually talk to each other.

Hi Zissou's Mom,

I am sure you are a reliable person, if only you lived close to my home, I would hire you! But this last experience has been enough, really... If only my friends lived in my area, but none of them do, except for one... who is extremely allergic to cats, something that has brought her to emergency in the past, even only 30 minutes with a cat! All the others live on the other side of town (a good 25 miles by car at least)! And my neighbours : the all hate cats, except for one man whose condo smells so bad I would never let him in here!!!

So, I am stuck to put Fanfan in a cattery... or a vet clinic.

N.

I don't think there's a problem with putting her in a cattery in principle - mine go to a cattery when I go on holiday - but the fact that they seem to be allowing animals from different households to mix sounds wrong to me. It certainly wouldn't be considered acceptable here in the UK. Maybe it's different where you live and it's something that's considered ok Letting them out for a run is fine, but not all together. It's not only the risk of transmitting infection, but you can't be sure the cats will get on. It's never a good idea to introduce cats in that manner - introductions need to be gradual. I'd look around for another cattery if I were you.

I boarded my dog once, and it was similar. The dogs each had their own run, but several times a day they were allowed to run in a fenced in yard together. The fence was 4 feet high.

I said my dog is an akita, and very bright. She would be over that fence in a minute, and is not to be allowed in the yard unless she is on a lead. Akita's are also known to be dog aggressive, and I did not want her playing with strange dogs. So they never let her play with others, in fact it was a quiet week for them, and they didn't put other dogs in the run next to hers. And they walked her more often, since they felt sorry for her not getting free run of the yard. It worked out great!

Take your kitty to the cattery, but tell them she is not allowed to play with other kitties. FIP is not contagious, but the virus that causes it is...coronavirus. Most kitties who have been exposed to lots of other kitties are already carrying coronavirus, and will never develop FIP. I lost Festus's sister Mattie to FIP...Festus would lay and groom Mattie. She and Garfield were totally exposed, and neither has FIP. I still foster kittens and cats, and never had another case of FIP.

Be careful, but also know that it is ok to leave your baby at a good cattery, with your rules. Then you can go on your vacation and enjoy yourself!

FIP isn't really contagious like a cold or virus is. All cats have the corona virus in them, most of them have been exposed to the virus at one time or another. FIP is the mutated version of the corona virus. It's always good to isolate a sick cat, but if your cat lived with a cat who had FIP it's not very likely your cat would catch it.

The reason most people don't require the FIP vaccine is that many vets do not support it. They will give the vaccine if the owner insists, but there have been studies that say that the vaccine has been known to cause FIP. Your cat should be just fine.

I had a cat years ago who had FIP. I had a multi cat household also at the time. None of my other cats contracted the disease. I made a grave error years ago when Red was diagnosed with FIP. I had my cats vaccinated for FIP, which I have learned now that it could have been more detramental to them than Red having FIP.

I would never get my cats FIP vaccinations ever again. There is to much controversy on that one.

In spite of its name, FIP is not easily passed from cat to cat. It is from Corona Virus that has mutated causing FIP. The vaccination is not proven effective enough to out weigh the risks. Our breeder voids her health guarantee if FIP vacs are given.