Today I lost my lovely 4mths old kitten to FIP. This disease is devastating. He only lasted 1 week after showing first signs. He was only diagnosed yesterday and was put down this morning as he was running a fever and as well as his pleura his tummy had started to fill up with liquid. It's so sad!
Does anyone know if Bengal are prone to this? Whether it is a gene prone thing? I will get another kitten when the time is right but I am nervous this could happen again. Is there a risk with going to the same breeder again or is it random?
Currently I am looking after a friends cat who is now probably a carrier so the vet told me to wait until 2 months after this cat has left my house before getting another kitten in case the virus remains in the home.
I had never heard of FIP and I can honestly say this is one of the most upsetting things I've seen happen to a pet!!
X

So sorry to hear of your loss

Have you let your kittens breeder know yet?

There is lots of helpful information on here.

This is a recent thread viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20006&hilit=corona+virus


Heather

So so sorry for your loss. I would for sure contact the breeder and let them know what happened.

Thanks for the replies.
I spoke with the breeder, they have never had FIP before or heard of any FIP in the recent kittens. They are really nice breeders and produce lovely cats so I would be happy to get another kitten from them.
I think my little boy was simply a very unlucky one. :(
x

FIP is caused by the Corona Virus although the vast majority of cats that have/had Corona will not go on to develop FIP.

It is thought that their is a genetic predisposition to getting the mutation that turns corona into FIP... that is, it is possible some cats/kittens will be more prone to FIP if another cat/kitten from that genetic line has. Although that is not a given if there are no other cases that the breeder is aware about.

Was your kitten well when you got it from the breeder? Did it have firm stools? If the answer was yes to both then the chances are that the corona was not from the breeder, although not a guarentee. Having corona in your cattery is not necessarily an issue though so i'm not saying that. Having another kitten from them is only risky, in my opinion, if your kitten had runny poo when you got him and if the breeder has lost other kittens to FIP. You could ask for a kitten from a different mom and dad so the genese are slightly different....

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Lollo

Did the breeder to any vetting prior to your adoption? The breeder or your vet didn't happen to give the FIP vaccine did they, because from what I understand this is a no-no. And what about any kind of health guarantee as "some" breeders over the course of my looking for a reputable one, have a clause in their contract to replace a kitten lost to FIP within X amount of months or for any and or certain conditions that crop up?

HI,

the kittens had been vetted, heart checked, inoculated, wormed etc... and were all in super health. My kitten was fine when I got him. The vet said the virus could have come from anywhere but that it would have incubated for 4 to 6 weeks before showing the clinical signs, you just can't pin point how or when... its like humans getting a cold. Apparently, 50% of cats get the corona virus and its harmless to most. It only mutate very rarely, but the vet said that the mutation is more common in pure breeds :(
As none of the other kittens have suffered it, I will get another kittten fromt hat breeder because mine was so well socialised when I got him. This breeder put much effort in getting the kittens socialised. They are raised within their home and with their kids etc....
The breeder has been really supportive and nice about this.
thanks for all replies :)
xx

I'm so so sorry for your loss,

This is a really good link with lots of excellent information http://www.dr-addie.com/treatment.htm

I would just say if you are going back to the breeder then do not have a kitten from the same pairing, as it is thought there *could* be a genetic link. And also I would request any kitten to be titre tested for the corona virus. The kitten will more then likely come back positive but it is the count that is important.

If your kitten has come into no contact with other cats then it WILL have come from the breeder - which is no downfall on their behalf at all. But it is important to be aware of the level the breeder has at their home.

Gutted for you - so sorry