marta, FIP is currently considered to be a mutated corona virus--so the corona virus is contagious (they estimate something like 80-90% of cats in a multi-cat environment will have been exposed to it and show a high titre--roughly the same percentage of humans will show a titre, too, as the corona virii are such common causes of uris in many species...). the mutation, however, is neither predictable nor preventable.
there seems to be strong evidence of a genetic predisposition for mutation to occur. at the sanctuary, we saw FIP develop in a number of panleuk survivors as well, but it happened in family groups, so the genetic predisposition might have been more at fault than the panleuk... one of the reasons, i believe, that FIP was so named was that it would occur in catteries and other groups of cats, and at that point it was easiest to assume it was "infectious." realizing the genetic component, it makes sense that in a group of related kitties, that genetic predisposition would manifest itself at a higher rate than in unrelated cats. if FIP were truly contagious in and of itself, there would be no sanctuaries or long-term-stay rescues/shelters around--by the time wet FIP is suspected, the cat is usually on its last paws already, and therefore, all cats in such situations would have caught it and gone to the bridge. most folks who have gone through the heartache of FIP in one of their furkids have NOT lost any others, unless they were related.... (and the more kitties you have, the higher the likelihood that you might have one or more families represented who have the genetic predisposition...) MC On 10/24/06, Hideyo Yamamoto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Corona virus is highly contagious through feces and saliva… and it's very common for cats to have – but FIP is not contagious. ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of marta gasper Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 8:51 AM To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Mishka, sleep, FIP I hadn't gotten to all posts either so I might be offf on some things; first of all my condolences on Mishka 's passing. Your loving care and big hopes surely made her short life a good one and you'll see her again. I noticed "all she wants to do is sleep" post. I've a rescue that we including vet are puzzled over. She's fine according to tests and exams_except for an injured paw that's healed_she eats/useslitterbox normally but she sleeps almost always, once we stopped petting her/is done eating, etc she'll fall asleep. She'll be six months at the end of the week and no way she's an hyper (in the way that kittens are) teenager like her siblings. I thought anemia? Nope all cells are there, all organs function fine. According to more experienced rescuers she isn't mentally retarded but I'm not sure of that. She follows laser light, dangling toys, etc with interest, even strechts out a paw to touch but that's it, then will fall sleep again. All are spayed so I had them rechecked in case something went wrong but wasn't post surgery trauma either. All three are panleuk survivors (feral kits rescued at 3 and 4 months) out of a litter of 5. Nanette who almost died made it but has a scarred lung, she makes all kinds of noises breathing but vet said it's just tissue that 'flaps', it might go away as she grows up. Second kitten Juliette is somewhat social and playful, no problems at all, then there's Suzette (maybe the runt? She's the smallest) who sleeps all the time. Three vets saw them, I might get S to a cat hospital, OTOH I'm afraid they'll tell me it is FIP as that's what happened to another last year that's a plump & jolly housecat now and did not have FIP. [tho he did have some tell tale symptoms, turned out to be organ damage and he recovered, he's FIV+, though] Maybe it's some trauma from being motherless when tiny (mom came back but they had to hold their own for a week) And another thing that caught my eye; FIP isn't contagious? Or you mean FIP isn't, but corona is? Thank-you! Marta Please visit my shop Cat Agora gifts for cat caregivers http://www.cafepress.com/marta
-- Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference.... MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892
