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My mom's little white kitten, Shaemus Montecore has died of FIP. Her other cat Tilly is expected to perish also, as this is a contagious and fatal condition.
*sigh* ...
I am very sad for her. Her kitties are her greatest comfort in a very hard situation she's living in...she spent a ton of money building them the coolest window enclosure and everything. And now she is losing them.
OK so I'm reading...I guess this is caused by a mutation of a common virus, which is then contained in the infected cat...so...no exactly contagious in a direct sort of way...?
I don't think there is a conclusive test, but I also don't think it's a given that her other cat will get it. If you search the cat forum for FIP, I'm positive there is discussion of it.
OK, I've read a couple of detailed articles now. Stuff I did not know...apparently, there is no definitive test and no cure. But 90% of cats who carry FECV don't develop the mutation that leads to FIP and then death. And the mutated virus stays in the subject animal and does not "shed" although the original un-mutated benign version does shed and is transmittable...but not lethal.
Cats at the highest risk for fatal FIP are kittens. Very old and immuno-compromised cats can also fall to it, but not as often...usually it's the young. According to the statistics on this disease, it is not very likely that her other, older cat will die from this...so at least that is something.
I am so very sorry, both for the kitty and for your Mother. I certainly hope her other kitty survives, and I can only imagine how hard this is for her - and for you to see your mother in pain like this. Give your mom a big hug and just be there for her. (((hug)))
But you're right, not THAT likely the other cat will get it and parish. I crazy mutation that no one truly understands.
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