Don't worry about FIV. It's very hard to transmit except through deep penetrating bite wounds. (I have an FIV+ cat of my own, have had others, and I moderate an FIV group. Email off-list if you want more detail on this.) FIP -- first off all, no way can it be diagnosed visually. It's hard to diagnose the dry form except by necropsy. And, while a lot of cats may test positive for the corona virus at some point over a lifetime (and please make this distinction -- FIP and corona are two very different things), very few actually develop FIP. It requires a genetic predisposition, plus exposure to corona, plus some triggering event or stress. (There is an FIP group too, btw.) More info on FIP at http://www.orionfoundation.com/ and www.dr-addie.com These are the two best sites with most current, informed info. Also, once a cat alctually develops FIP (and distinguished from the corona virus), FIP is trapped in the macrophage and does not shed. If you wanna talk, email me your phone number. I'm not doing anything much today other than unpacking boxes and puttering around the house. (And adoptions! FOUR adoptions in 4 days, with the last just 1/2 an hour ago. A family drove more than an hour to come get a little calico I had listed for adoption.)
Caroline Kaufmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma } I can't access the Archives. I keep trying and I keep getting an error message. It's not my internet service, obviously, or I wouldn't be able to send this email. Anyone else tried? I'd really like to get to the Archives because I took a cat into my home that I took from the store on Sat. because he looked horrible and no one else is doing anything about it (of course). Took him to the doctor yesterday (had to fight to get approval to even do that and the cat is obviously sickly looking- I'm so frustrated), and the vet is very concerned about "infectious disease." Thank god- but I think he was shocked that the cat hasn't been treated yet, so I made it very very clear that I just got my hands on this cat and have been playing "clean-up duty" since the end of Aug. on these orphaned Metro AC June babies and that the group I VOLUNTEER FOR has made my self-appointed task of cleaning up their neglected messes, very very difficult. I didn't mince words. It was Christmas Eve and I spent 2 hours and 15 mins at the vets and NOT being able to work and I just cracked I guess. The vet is suspecting- based only on the physical exam b/c we won't get the blood tests (full panel) back on Wed. (hopefully)-- FIP, FIV, and/or Felv in that order. I am not so worried about Felv b/c I have dealt with that before and I just don't think it's transmitted that easily in non-fighting cats (my own opinion). But I have never dealt with FIP and FIV and this cat was mingled with my other fosters by the adoption agency I volunteer for before I ever even took in any cats. So basically I am freaking out that I may have FIP cats on my hands and not have known it b/c of course I am now wondering if that is what has been wrong with my weak little Possum cat all this time. I'm mad and scared and feel like I was asked to take in cats yet not given the resources to deal with them fully and protect them from each other; not to mention the caring for them with 2 hands tied behind my back b/c to get approval to take them to a vet (for the agency to pay for it) takes more arguing and hoop jumping-- the cat has to be practically dying to be able to get approval without being told things like "well, if it would make YOU feel better...but I think you are overreacting." And I spent literally hundreds of dollars premium food and litter that I just don't have any money left over to rush cats out to vets and pay for it myself. I'm just sick over this. I'm trying to care for this little guy until we get the results back. I have to give him fluids- which I have never done and he's a fighter. He got fluids yesterday at the clinic, but he was still somewhat sedated from when they took his blood, so I am sure my attempt today will not go half as smooth. He's not happy about being in a crate in a room by himself either and it breaks my heart. So I wanted to look through the archives because I know FIP and FIV have been discussed before. Also, of my 3 barn kittens (totally separated from the other fosters- so don't worry about that), I have one now who's little spay site seems a tad oozy. Nothing scary scary like blood or a lot of fluid, but it just doesn't look totally right. Not that I know what totally right looks like tho because I've never had a kitten this young spayed and I wasn't really given any follow-up care instructions- just been using my own common sense. But of course, I am worried. And of course, it's Christmas and that makes it very hard to call and ask anyone! Caroline --------------------------------- Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. Get it now!