I am trying to read up on FIP and I'm having a hard time finding something that isn't very vague or very technical/medical sounding that I have a hard time following.
Basically.. my relatives were fostering the litter that our kitten came out of, via an animal shelter. When they finally went into the shelter to be adopted, they became VERY ill and my family took them back out to care for them. They found out from the vet AFTER they had the kittens at their home for 2 days, that the vet had treated another animal in the room with them at the shelter for FIP. The vet confirmed today from bloodwork that they had indeed been exposed to it.
From what little I can figure out, it sounds highly contagious, but finding out how it's transmitted hasn't been as easy. And the vet they've been working with via the shelter doesn't seem to have much conclusive information. He wasn't even sure if humans would be able to carry it into another household -- ie if anyone from that home came over here, he didn't know if they would be able to transmit it to one of my cats.
I would think humans wouldn't be able to carry it, but having the vet not even sure makes me a little worried. :p (They're not allowed to come over until I make SURE my cats are safe, yes I'm overly paranoid. :p)
A good resource on FIP?
Re: A good resource on FIP?
Well, when did you aquire *your* kitten, and at what age? Has your kitten been examined by your own vet and tested for FELV/FIV, and vaccinated accordingly? (i.e, if he's older than 10 weeks)...if you only had the shelter vet examine your kitten, I would strongly advise seeing a new vet for a new exam.
Try to find out from the shelter vet what test he utilized to confirm the FIP case of the other cat in the shelter. An FIP specific ELISA should have been done to help confirm, but a positive coronavirus does NOT always mean the disease is present. There are other lab tests that should be done, combined with signs and symptoms of illness, etc. to even adequately determine if FIP is a factor or not.
Exposure to a positive FIP cat does not always mean the exposed cats or kittens will develop the disease. It is transmitted through close contact, i.e., sharing food/water dishes, sharing close quarters, grooming, or in vitro. If the kittens were in another cage, chances are, they were fairly protected. However, I would advise whomever is taking care of the kittens to see a new vet to examine them, test for FELV/FIV, vaccinate accordingly... as it doesn't appear the shelter vet is very knowledgeable. (NOTE: Do NOT vaccinate for FIP, the vaccine is controversial and there isn't enough data to suggest it is effective)
It is unlikely that the humans could bring the virus into your home, unless of course they handled an FIP+ cat, had the kitty's saliva on their clothes, etc., in which case, changing clothes, shoes before visiting you, would be appropriate.
What are the health statuses for the kittens at this point? What were they ill from? Were they treated and are they now recovering?
Try to find out from the shelter vet what test he utilized to confirm the FIP case of the other cat in the shelter. An FIP specific ELISA should have been done to help confirm, but a positive coronavirus does NOT always mean the disease is present. There are other lab tests that should be done, combined with signs and symptoms of illness, etc. to even adequately determine if FIP is a factor or not.
Exposure to a positive FIP cat does not always mean the exposed cats or kittens will develop the disease. It is transmitted through close contact, i.e., sharing food/water dishes, sharing close quarters, grooming, or in vitro. If the kittens were in another cage, chances are, they were fairly protected. However, I would advise whomever is taking care of the kittens to see a new vet to examine them, test for FELV/FIV, vaccinate accordingly... as it doesn't appear the shelter vet is very knowledgeable. (NOTE: Do NOT vaccinate for FIP, the vaccine is controversial and there isn't enough data to suggest it is effective)
It is unlikely that the humans could bring the virus into your home, unless of course they handled an FIP+ cat, had the kitty's saliva on their clothes, etc., in which case, changing clothes, shoes before visiting you, would be appropriate.
What are the health statuses for the kittens at this point? What were they ill from? Were they treated and are they now recovering?
..........Traci