FIP/FeLV In Multicat Households?

Comments

• Heather Bellamy Perry / StatesboroMember Posts: 5,506

  10 June, 2007 edited 10 June, 2007

  Well, FeLV is contagious. I got it even though I was vaccinated against it my whole life. My vet said there is a small possibility that I got it before Mom found me and it remained dormant for 12 years, but it's most likely that I got it from my brofur Maximo who died of it in 2005. I also have FIP. It's not contagious, but the coronavirus that spontaneously mutates to cause FIP is contagious. However, once a cat has that specific coronavirus, there is only a 5% chance that it will mutate into FIP. But that's not a chance Mom would want to take, considering FIP is such a terrible disease that is fatal in virtually all cases. I'd keep the new kitties separated from the current residents, at least until they can be taken to the vet and tested for FeLV. There is also a test for the coronavirus which will tell you if the coronavirus that can mutate to cause FIP is present. But there's no real test for FIP. Most of the time, it is diagnosed by monitoring symptoms and ruling out other diseases. Purrs, Lucky Boo ETA: You will probably want to get the new kitties tested for FIV as well (feline immunodeficiency virus). There is a combo test called ELISA that tests for both FIV and FeLV.

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• Melissa Ford Santa CruzMember Posts: 3,914

  11 June, 2007 edited 11 June, 2007

  The viruses are spread through body fluids. FIV can be caught via urine, feces or blood. Felv can be transmitted the same ways, but also through saliva, so sharing food dishes and litter boxes would increase the negative kitties chances for contracting the virus. If you have positive kitties in the household, all negative kitties should be vaccinated against these viruses. It's unlikely, unless the male is extremely young, that both testicles failed to drop. Cyptorchidism is not a common occurrence in the feline world.

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• Jan Allen DallasMember Posts: 2,596

  11 June, 2007 edited 11 June, 2007

  I agree with Hunter and Lucky Boo - FIP can be transmitted. Be extremely careful - but thanks for helping these kitties.

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• Marta Gasper FairburyMember Posts: 636

  11 June, 2007 edited 11 June, 2007

  FIP or FIV? Tho both are contagious tho FIP is easier to transmit than FIV.. Meowmy didn\'t know about the litterbox part and FIV..I\'m FIV+ and so is another kitty in the household, there are 7 more kitties all negative and vaccinated now and though there are several litterboxes we like to share sometimes. So that means we could have given FIV to others??? Oh no..we knew about corona and surely it is there but we weren\'t worried about FIV..

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• Kathy Hobbs BoiseMember Posts: 298

  11 June, 2007 edited 11 June, 2007

  Ooops:r Meant FIV but FIP is also a concern. These guys are well socialized but health and care wise they are a mess. They got baths last night they stunk so bad. When their harnesses were taken off there were sores from where the clasp had rubbed them raw. Thanks!! Everykitty!!!

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• Kathy Hobbs BoiseMember Posts: 298

  13 June, 2007 edited 13 June, 2007

  Well the good news is.............. Both cats tested negative!!! The bad news is there are now TWO more loud mouthed cats in the house.:? Whats a soft-hearted cat to do?

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• Kristin Holt ArlingtonMember Posts: 98

  28 June, 2007 edited 28 June, 2007

  So glad the kitties tested negative! I went to the Bridge a week ago and was just diagnosed with dry FIP now. My mom is freaking out about my brother/littermate and what he might have been exposed to. Since it was never clear what I had when I was sick, no attempt was made to segregate me from my brother. Now my mom is so concerned that he might be at risk for infection. Should she get rid of / try to clean the things that I came into contact with? I have been sick for several months, so it seems likely that if my brother was going to get exposed to something, it has already happened. Please help - mums is freaking out.

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