Can My Older Cat In The House Get FIP From My Younger Cat Who Has It?

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Anonymous answered
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet and even in the veterinary community about FIP.  No FIP itself is not contagious.  This disease is caused by a corona virus.  Over 80% of cats have been exposed to this virus.  In cats that develop the disease FIP the virus has undergone a mutation within that individual cat.  A sibling of a cat that has had FIP is more likely to develop the disease because their genetics are similar making them more likely to have the mutation occur. 
Your older cat has already been exposed to the corona virus.  It is highly, highly unlikely she will get FIP.  Again it is NOT contagious; it results from a virus mutation that occurs in individual cats.

thanked the writer.
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Anonymous
Anonymous commented
I don't euthanize FIP cats until they become lethargic, anorexic, and feel poorly. I cannot say whether or not your cat has FIP. I would ask your veterinarian to clarify the diagnosis and they can let you know if they think it could be anything other than FIP.
Anonymous
Anonymous commented
To the vet who responded...

I recently adopted 2 kittens from the SPCA. They were seven months old last week. Both seemed to be doing fine. However, after we had Max neutered a month ago, he started showing signs of:
-eating cat litter
-licking painted/wall papered walls
-blood in the stool (been happening for weeks)
-constipation
-weight loss/no weight gain as a kitten
-less energy
finally, two days ago he started to lose his balance and lost control of his rear legs.

I called my vet and we took him in on a Saturday morning. She immediately thought it must be feline leukemia. She did the test and it was negative. The next set of tests she was going to do was more than my husband and I could afford. The vet assured us that most likely, the cat could not be cured. She thought it may be FIT or FIV (cat aids). We took little max up to the SPCA to be put to sleep. They said they would keep in to see if he improved. The next day our little boy died. I have been a wreck, but there is nothing I can do.
Rosie, the other kitten (unrelated) that we adopted seems fine and is growing well. I pray that she does not have FIP, though I am sure she was exposed.
The kittens shared dishes, a litter pan, toys, bedding, grooming, and everything else.
I understand that if I have her tested for the corona virus it will most likely be positive, though she will probably not get the disease.

Your explanation helped assure me of this. Thank you.

Advice to the person with the possible FIP cat. I would not put your cat down until she begins to show signs of the disease. I must warn you that if it is the wet form of FIP, it comes on fast. It only took a couple days for Max to go from healthy (seemingly) to passing away. Your other cats have probably already been exposed, but separating them is not a bad idea.

I am sorry and hope that it is not FIP.

Good Luck, and take care.
Anonymous
Anonymous commented
I do not think you should put the older cat down, I assume this is Bruzer. If he is doing fine it is very, very unlikely he has FIP. The older cat will not catch it from the younger cat. Talk to your veterinarian about your concerns.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
FIP or feline infectious peritonitis is incurable and fatal disease of
the cats. It is caused by Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus. It is
transferred by inhaling or ingesting the virus. It is also transferred from the feces of infected cat, foods, food containers and clothes. The infected cat or carrier may or may not have symptoms of FIP. No treatments are available for this disorder except for symptomatic relief.
If your older cat is carrier then she can transfer it to other cats whether she has symptoms or not. If you suspect FIP in your cat then go for abdominal fluid investigations for the confirmation of the FIP.

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