Well, in early October we bought two beautiful Siamese kittens named Ping and Pong. Both born on June 28th. Early on, Pong(the boy, Ping is a girl) was diagnosed with Wet FIP. I assume the cat-lovers here have at least heard of this terrible sickness. Anyways, Pong was put to sleep on December 31st, and Ping went on being alone.
Until a few days ago, when we acquired a new Siamese kitten from the same breeder(She's 9-10 weeks old I think, maybe 11). This is where we've run into our problem. When Ping and Pong were together, they loved each other so much it was almost too good to be true. Whenever one laid down the other would lay down next to him/her, they'd play together, eat together, sleep together and do everything else together. We had gotten this new kitten in hopes of easing Ping's loneliness when we're not around and in hopes of seeing that love again.
In the first few days we haven't seen any inkling of faith that that will ever happen. Hissing and spitting are the norm here and my mom(I'm 15 so you all know, idk the age limit here) feels that it won't get better and even if the hissing stops they'll never be like Ping and Pong were.
So I guess I have a few questions,
1. How can we ease/speed up the process of them adapting to each other?
2. Has anyone had first hand experience with 2 cats becoming VERY close even though they're not related?
3. Ping's attitude has become more mature and aggressive as of late, she never used to bite/attack or anything more than play, will she ever go back to the lovable kitten she was?
Please help us, because we are getting worried to the point where my mom is considering giving the kitten back to find a new, happier home and us just having our old Ping back, which is not what I want to do.
Thanks,
Paul
Sort of a long story....
The new kitten shouldn't have been taken away from his mother/siblings until at least 12 weeks of age or so, I'm surprised at the breeder for allowing kittens to be adopted before that age. Is this a reputable breeder? Has the new kitten been seen by your own vet, tested for FELV/FIV, dewormed and vaccinated with her first boosters? Is Ping current on her vaccinations? Is Ping spayed?
You've only had the new kitten for a few days, you have to expect this won't happen overnight, it takes days, weeks, sometimes months for cats to become accustomed to each other. Tell your mother she needs to be patient, and encourage her to become just as involved in the two cats and their introductions.
Read Feline Introductions. This is not exact, nor will it fit every situation, but it's a good starting point.
You and your mom both have to be comitted to this, one day at a time. Make sure each cat has a safe, harmonious environment, seperate feeding stations at first, that both cats have a particular area or room to retreat to when necessary (their safe haven), and spend lots of time with both cats to get them introduced properly, involve them in playtime sessions together, etc. etc.
Ping is at the age where she is learning independance, both from you and any other siblings, to a degree. You have to spend more quality time with her, provide and interesting environment for her, actively involve yourself with her playtime and activities etc. With the new kitten, in time, there is every chance she will bond with the new kitten, but you have to be comitted to ensuring both of them get equal attention, quality time, etc.
How was FIP diagnosed exactly? What tests exactly were done to confirm? Was the breeder informed, and did she test all of her cats and kittens on her premises? Were any other kittens or adults also suspected or ill? How has she addressed eliminating the virus (if confirmed) from her breeding practice/premises? Did you take proper precautions to sanitize your home? (removal of food/water dishes, replacing with new ones, plus new litterbox, disposal of toys, bedding, replacing, etc, cleaning with bleach solution, etc).
Was Ping ever tested?
You've only had the new kitten for a few days, you have to expect this won't happen overnight, it takes days, weeks, sometimes months for cats to become accustomed to each other. Tell your mother she needs to be patient, and encourage her to become just as involved in the two cats and their introductions.
Read Feline Introductions. This is not exact, nor will it fit every situation, but it's a good starting point.
You and your mom both have to be comitted to this, one day at a time. Make sure each cat has a safe, harmonious environment, seperate feeding stations at first, that both cats have a particular area or room to retreat to when necessary (their safe haven), and spend lots of time with both cats to get them introduced properly, involve them in playtime sessions together, etc. etc.
Ping is at the age where she is learning independance, both from you and any other siblings, to a degree. You have to spend more quality time with her, provide and interesting environment for her, actively involve yourself with her playtime and activities etc. With the new kitten, in time, there is every chance she will bond with the new kitten, but you have to be comitted to ensuring both of them get equal attention, quality time, etc.
How was FIP diagnosed exactly? What tests exactly were done to confirm? Was the breeder informed, and did she test all of her cats and kittens on her premises? Were any other kittens or adults also suspected or ill? How has she addressed eliminating the virus (if confirmed) from her breeding practice/premises? Did you take proper precautions to sanitize your home? (removal of food/water dishes, replacing with new ones, plus new litterbox, disposal of toys, bedding, replacing, etc, cleaning with bleach solution, etc).
Was Ping ever tested?
..........Traci
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wearesiameseifyouplease
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:32 am
She's 11 weeks and yes this is a reputable breeder. The kittens been seen and I'm not sure about the other things(my parents would be sure), although I know the breeder has the authority to give certain vaccinations and gave them(I could be wrong but maybe tempermant or something? I wasn't paying attention when we were there I was playing with the other cats, again, my parents would know) . Ping is spayed and current on all her vaccinations. FIP was diagnosed by our vet, who also tested ping, we notified the breeder and they tested their cats, on top of this, they offered to give us this kitten for free out of the sorrow. We took some precautions, but the vet notified us that only a small amount of cats can actually get the illness, so if Ping didn't have it already(considering the amount of things they were sharing), there was a good chance she couldn't get it(she was tested as well). But, before the arrival of the new kitten we took all the necessary precautions. We are very committed, and we are spending lots of time to introduce them, it's just very easy to get wrapped up in the thought of them never getting along.Traci wrote:The new kitten shouldn't have been taken away from his mother/siblings until at least 12 weeks of age or so, I'm surprised at the breeder for allowing kittens to be adopted before that age. Is this a reputable breeder? Has the new kitten been seen by your own vet, tested for FELV/FIV, dewormed and vaccinated with her first boosters? Is Ping current on her vaccinations? Is Ping spayed?
You've only had the new kitten for a few days, you have to expect this won't happen overnight, it takes days, weeks, sometimes months for cats to become accustomed to each other. Tell your mother she needs to be patient, and encourage her to become just as involved in the two cats and their introductions.
Read Feline Introductions. This is not exact, nor will it fit every situation, but it's a good starting point.
You and your mom both have to be comitted to this, one day at a time. Make sure each cat has a safe, harmonious environment, seperate feeding stations at first, that both cats have a particular area or room to retreat to when necessary (their safe haven), and spend lots of time with both cats to get them introduced properly, involve them in playtime sessions together, etc. etc.
Ping is at the age where she is learning independance, both from you and any other siblings, to a degree. You have to spend more quality time with her, provide and interesting environment for her, actively involve yourself with her playtime and activities etc. With the new kitten, in time, there is every chance she will bond with the new kitten, but you have to be comitted to ensuring both of them get equal attention, quality time, etc.
How was FIP diagnosed exactly? What tests exactly were done to confirm? Was the breeder informed, and did she test all of her cats and kittens on her premises? Were any other kittens or adults also suspected or ill? How has she addressed eliminating the virus (if confirmed) from her breeding practice/premises? Did you take proper precautions to sanitize your home? (removal of food/water dishes, replacing with new ones, plus new litterbox, disposal of toys, bedding, replacing, etc, cleaning with bleach solution, etc).
Was Ping ever tested?
It just seems, even when the kitten is not around, that Ping's overall mood is much more gloomy, before this we never EVER were angry/disappointed with her.
Thanks for the link,
Paul
Re: Sort of a long story....
The problem with FIP is that it is extremely difficult to diagnose, and even a PCR test only detects exposure to a coronavirus, which means it does not always specifically confirm FIP. Other tests, full history and exam with taking into account health problems/symptoms must all be taken into account when attempting to diagnose FIP. Unfortunately, only a necropsy can determine this, and oftentimes, FIP is not the case. Even worse, many vets falsely diagnose FIP without ruling out other health issues that may mimic symptoms of FIP, but not actually be FIP.
I worry because if there was even ONE case of confirmed FIP from this breeder, the risk is much much higher for ANY of the kittens and adults on her premises. FIP is always a high risk in catteries and breeder facilities.
As for proper vaccinations, did your parents get a legitimate copy of kitten's records, and have those records reviewed by your OWN vet? I ask because too many breeders take it upon themselves to vaccinate (without vet supervision), use inappropriate vaccines or inappropriate vaccination schedules, omit vital vaccines and don't always give the new owner records or vital information on those vaccines given. Rabies, for example, can only be given by a licensed vet, and is only considered valid when given by a licensed vet. Some breeders also don't test for FELV/FIV BEFORE they vaccinate, so you would never know infection status unless your own vet tested. Some breeders don't even give FELV vaccinations, which always puts kittens and cats at risk.
It is for all of these reasons, and then some, that you should ALWAYS get newly adopted kittens/cats to your OWN vet for a new, thorough exam, and to get all copies of the breeder's records so your own vet can review them and check for inconsistencies etc.
I worry because if there was even ONE case of confirmed FIP from this breeder, the risk is much much higher for ANY of the kittens and adults on her premises. FIP is always a high risk in catteries and breeder facilities.
As for proper vaccinations, did your parents get a legitimate copy of kitten's records, and have those records reviewed by your OWN vet? I ask because too many breeders take it upon themselves to vaccinate (without vet supervision), use inappropriate vaccines or inappropriate vaccination schedules, omit vital vaccines and don't always give the new owner records or vital information on those vaccines given. Rabies, for example, can only be given by a licensed vet, and is only considered valid when given by a licensed vet. Some breeders also don't test for FELV/FIV BEFORE they vaccinate, so you would never know infection status unless your own vet tested. Some breeders don't even give FELV vaccinations, which always puts kittens and cats at risk.
It is for all of these reasons, and then some, that you should ALWAYS get newly adopted kittens/cats to your OWN vet for a new, thorough exam, and to get all copies of the breeder's records so your own vet can review them and check for inconsistencies etc.
..........Traci
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wearesiameseifyouplease
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:32 am
Yes they were given a copy of the records, and the vet diagnosed it as wet FIP because of the growth in the abdomen among other things, we put him to sleep once he began to stop eating for a few days, which was what the vet recommended. It was very clear because his stomach was VERY abnormally wide, to the point where it looked like a dodgeball was inside him, and the xrays showed large amounts of fluid inside of the stomach.
edit: Maybe not inside, but, you get what I mean....
edit: Maybe not inside, but, you get what I mean....