FECV / FIP

[Emma]

I haven't really been keeping up w this, but had a quick look at this site:
www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/FIP.html

Some friends w two cats are talking w their adult child and spouse about the child & spouse moving in w them temporarily while they build a new house. You know, "four months" - right on time, the way construction projects go.

The child & spouse also have two cats, one of which they were told a few years ago by their vet had FIP - which pretty obviously was wrong as the cat is not dead. Nonetheless, I would assume FECV. Their other cat, as far as I know, has no symptoms of anything.

The parents' two cats are on the older side; one has some health issues (not sure what). I can't think of any reason it would be a good idea for all these cats to live together - am I missing something?

They're talking about moving two of the cats (not sure whose) to someone else's house for the duration. Assuming it's the parents' cats (which sounds like the way they're leaning) wouldn't it be necessary to keep them out of their own home for several weeks after the child & spouse's cats left, or is that being overly concerned about viral transmission?

[Shelley]

on construction, we are still on schedule for July 5.

I don't know about the virus issue but wouldn't it make more sense to leave the parents cats where they are and take the other 2 somewhere else and only disrupt 2 cats instead of all 4.

Shelley

[Emma]

Watch the comments on construction, we are still on schedule for July 5.

Ooops. I meant "in the U.S." In Canada, I'm sure they're always on time. (Wouldn't they have to be, w about a 15 minute building season before it all freezes again?)

I don't know about the virus issue but wouldn't it make more sense to leave the parents cats where they are and take the other 2 somewhere else and only disrupt 2 cats instead of all 4.

I agree completely, but that doesn't seem to be the way they're going. I think their thinking is that being away from her people will be too upsetting for the "FIP" cat and she'll really get FIP.

If they were my adult children, they'd be renting a place to stay w their cats.

[shelley]

Emma said:

Watch the comments on construction, we are still on schedule for July 5.

Ooops. I meant "in the U.S." In Canada, I'm sure they're always on time. (Wouldn't they have to be, w about a 15 minute building season before it all freezes again?)

Actually our construction season is probably much longer than in the U.S. since we have perfect weather for Igloo's


You might be impressed to know that our basement was poured in March when the ground was still frozen and there was still snow on the ground. The framing and windows and doors are done now too.

Now back to the important stuff does FECV just mean that the cat tested positive for coronavirus(sp)? Double tested positive for it when I had testing done on him a couple years ago but it is my understanding that it really means nothing. Now if the cat had herpes I would be worried since it has caused some fairly serious problems for a couple of my cats.

Shelley

[Noofies]

I don't see a big risk in allowing the cats to live together, especially if there are adequate litterboxes and they're scooped regularly. I would provide each group of cats a private get-away spot - perhaps their owners' rooms - to help keep the stress level down.

[Emma]

You might be impressed to know that our basement was poured in March when the ground was still frozen and there was still snow on the ground. The framing and windows and doors are done now too.

Impressed? I'm astonished. Of course, I'm picturing an above-ground basement perched on an ice field.

This reminds me of when I went to New Orleans and couldn't figure out what they meant when they talked about their "above ground cemeteries" until I saw one. I was pretty disappointed - I think I had imagined something floating in the air ...


does FECV just mean that the cat tested positive for coronavirus(sp)?

Per the Winn site, yes:
# FIP is the term for clinical disease associated with feline coronavirus infection.
# The common benign form of feline coronavirus is referred to as FECV (feline enteric coronavirus).
# When FECV has mutated into a disease-causing form, it is then referred to as FIPV (feline infectious peritonitis virus).
# Feline coronaviruses in general are referred to as FCoV.

They keep talking about being afraid that one of the cats will get sick - I don't know if they've thought through to stress possibly making the "FIP" cat's alleged FeCV mutate into real FIP, or if it's something w another cat.

I know - I'll suggest they send the cats up to you - you can quickly have a new house built for them. ;D