Thread: Our three are going for blood tests tomorrow!

fingers crossed everything goes well.

Well, the results are back. Hobbes' titres are below 160 which is good, but Spike and Whisper's titres are 610 . The vet says we should (ideally) separate the cats, and then test 3 months down the road to see whether the "oldsters" titres go down. If they do, then we can probably get another kitten.

As we see it, this separation is going to be nigh on impossible! If we were a breeding cattery, with individual pens, then it would be do-able, but I can only see this stressing out all three cats (which is supposed to be one way that FIP develops from the coronavirus) and Hobbes is already lonely without Alice, so would be really sad without the others. The vet isn't sure whether the older cats have raised titres because they have been in contact with Alice and their immune systems are reacting this way because they are weaker (being older) or whether one of them gave Alice the virus and it then mutated into FIP.

What ARE we going to do? Does anyone have any advice, please?

I am curious exactly what the blood test is whose numbers you are reporting?

Separating your cats sounds virtually impossible. We would have no reasonable way to do it. Wonder if it would do any good to try to avoid sharing food dishes or litter (train youngster to go in his own litter)? I don't know much about FIP, but I thought it was not easily transmitted.

When we had something causing diarrhea that started with the new kitten and cycled through the three adults a couple of times, we finally started replacing litter more frequently (and disinfecting the litter trays). Don't know if that is what stopped it or if they just built up immunity (as vet suggested would happen), but it did stop. That is my only real suggestion. Still a lot of work and fair amount of expense (throwing out perfectly fine litter).

Originally Posted by NCarver

I am curious exactly what the blood test is whose numbers you are reporting?

The titre levels are for coronavirus antibodies, apparently.

Originally Posted by NCarver

Separating your cats sounds virtually impossible. We would have no reasonable way to do it. Wonder if it would do any good to try to avoid sharing food dishes or litter (train youngster to go in his own litter)? I don't know much about FIP, but I thought it was not easily transmitted.

You are quite right - FIP isn't easily transmitted. It is the FeCOV virus (the coronavirus) that is transmitted in infected faeces. It can be ingested when the cat/kitten cleans its paws after treading in or getting litter with faeces in/on its fur and then grooming. Most cats get the coronavirus, get over it and that's fine. Some remain symptomless carriers and shed the virus and others (like my sweet Alice) get the virus and are susceptible to it mutating into FIP.
We have bought new litter trays and poop scoops, we have always ensured the trays are cleaned 2x a day (often more, because I swear that one of our MCs is actually a German Shepherd - you should SEE the size of the Number Twos in the box sometimes!!) Confining Hobbes to one part of the house only would be impossible and I'm not sure how to go about training Hobbes to use just one tray, when he has access to all four trays currently.

Your suggestion about changing the litter frequently is a good one - also on Diane Addie's site Dr. Addie - How to prevent FCoV transmission, she has a "League Table" of litters and their ability to "kill" the coronavirus - we will be trying the EverClean Less Track to see if that helps.

So sorry to read the results are not so good for two of your lovelies,lets hope in three months you will be able to post better news. I find FIP hard to understand,I have read & re read articles on it but still can't recall hardly any of it,I am sure there will be members on the forum who will be able to educate us.

Just a little idea you could get if you have'nt already A Feliway plug in & a spray for the carriers so less chance of any paws getting stressed just going to the vets sometimes that interfers with the tests, Im so pleased they were no higher xxx

Originally Posted by Louie-Louie

Just a little idea you could get if you have'nt already A Feliway plug in & a spray for the carriers so less chance of any paws getting stressed just going to the vets sometimes that interfers with the tests, Im so pleased they were no higher xxx

Good idea - I'll order a couple on-line (cheaper than the vet!!). If anyone knows what the "oldsters" 610 titres really mean (I mean, are those horribly high or what?) I'd be grateful for the info.

Our vet classed Merlins as low 640 & said it only proved he had been exposed to the coronavirus he has spent time working with Di Addie in the past her site is a real source of info

I'm no help, but hugs and I hope the tests are much better in a couple of months.

they could have been raised with the stress of losing Alice too...