Blood Drug Testing

my 16 month old kitten {not displaying any signs of illness was just diagnosed with fip,sample was clotted????

my 16 month old cat was taken to the vet because of an ear infection and was treated ,i ask the vet just for peace of mind to do a complete blood chemistry,2 days later he calls and tells me that my cat has{ fip} feline infectious peritonitis,my kitten was just vaccinated with his boosters 5 minutes before the chemistry test was performed,i have extensively researched this fatal disease and Zach displays NO signs so i called the vet and ask for a copy of his labs and found that due to extreme hemolysis {clotting }of the sample that alot of the tests were not able to be interpreted,i am wondering if anyone out there has any knowledge of fip and what next???i am extremely bothered by this and need to know ,ANY SUGGESTIONS ANYONE????????thanks Valerie

Public Comments

1. First of all don't panic!! 99% of cats have been exposed to the feline corona virus at some point in their lives, usually from momma cat. It is about as common as a human cold. The blood test only confirms that your cat has been exposed to the virus, it means NOTHING ABOUT THE DISEASE FIP! FIP happens when the feline corona virus mutates. There is NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN OR IF IT WILL EVER MUTATE!!! I really hate those vets who even bring up the possibility of FIP just because there was a titer for corona. If your cat seems healthy, I'd presume he is unless symptoms develop. Please try not to worry :) http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=19
2. Go to the web site: www.littlebigcat.com. Click on "newsletter" and scroll down to Vol. 4, #4, May 2006. Dr. Hovfe is a holistic veterinarian and writes excellent articles on many subjects concerning cats. Since the date is so recent I am sure it will be one of the most up-to-date and informative things you can find on FIP.
3. FIP is caused by a mutation of the corona virus. The vaccination for this is delivered nasally via a spray it is one of the most complex viruses and there is no vaccine that has been totally proven to work. If a cat develops FIP it is down to the cats own response to the common corona virus. It is believed 80/90% cats have the corona virus. A faecal analysis is more appropriate for coronavirus to see if the cat is shedding. The following findings from a study outlined on Dr Addie's site I think are very clear: There are 4 possible outcomes of exposure to FCoV infection: 1. The kitten or cat develops FIP (around 10% of infections). 2. The vast majority of cats shed FCoV for a while, develop antibodies, stop shedding FCoV and their antibody titre returns to zero. 58% of FCoV shedding lasts up to one month and 95% of virus shedding lasts less than 9 months. (unquote, other anecdotal evidence suggest some cats can take up to 2 years to stop shedding) 3. The cat becomes a lifelong FCoV carrier (13% of infected cats). These cats shed FCoV continually in their faeces and most remain perfectly healthy although some develop chronic diarrhoea. 4. Resistant cats – around 4% of cats appear to be completely resistant to FCoV infection, they don’t shed the virus and they mount an almost undetectable antibody response. The results of the survey are as follows: 1. FCoV is very rarely shed in the saliva and it tends to be shed at the beginning of infection in those few cats who do excrete it in their saliva. Monitoring the saliva for virus shedding will therefore miss the majority of infected cats – so monitor the faeces. 2. A single faecal RT-PCR result on its own is meaningless: if the cat is intermittently shedding FCoV, by the day following sampling the cat may havere changed from being a shedder to a non-shedder or vice versa. RT-PCR testing has to be part of a series of tests and is best accompanied by immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) testing because RT-PCR can be prone to both false positive results and false negative results. 3. To establish that a cat has eliminated FCoV infection, 5 consecutive negative monthly RT-PCR results on faeces are required. Alternatively, a reduction in FCoV antibody status to <10 indicates elimination of infection (IFA titre as measured by Glasgow University Veterinary School – see link to Companion Animal Diagnostics for downloading a submission form to submit a sample). One survey cat’s antibody titre only began to go down 25 months after she stopped shedding virus. 4. To establish that a cat is a lifelong FCoV carrier, he or she should have had continual positive RT-PCR results for a minimum of 8 months. A very few cats will cease shedding FCoV after 9 months, but 95% of shedding in the survey had stopped by then.
4. Hope for FIP cats! Dear Valerie, I hope you found an anwser for your cat by now. Thsi may not apply to your situation but I would like to pass this on so that you or other might be helped in treating an FIP cat or kitten. I believe my kitten has FIP. I gave him high doses of absorbic C as recomended. I saw a drastic improvment in only a few days. My kitten was very, very sick and near death. I did not have any injectable aborsbic C so I used the powered form. I mixed about 1/4 teaspoon to approximately 2 or 3 tablespoons of water. I filled a hypodermic needle as full as I could and I injected it under the skin between the shouldr blades two times a day. I also used approximately 1/2 cc of 48 hour injectable Penicillin every other day over 6 days. I have been adding raw chicken to his food daily. After 3 or 4 days I stopped injecting Vit. C and now I am giving him buffered Ester C twice a day. I mix approzimately 1/4 teaspoon with about 1/4 cup of water and give him 4 to 8 eyedroppers full. Some times I mix a tiny bit of Goldenseal with Echinachia from a gel capsule. I do not use the whole capsule full but only a pinch. A few days ago he was just laying there and would not eat, He could bearly swallow and his heart was beating heavily. It seemed that he would not live too much longer . Now he purrs when I pick him up and he is palyful. His appetite is back and he is up and walking again. He is not completely well yet but the improvment is amazing. If your cat or kitten has FIP do not use anything with harsh chemicals like flea treatment or vaccines. For a wormer I use food grade Diatomacious earth. I add about 1/2 teasppoon for a kitten in it's food for several days. There is no Chemicals and it is non toxic yet it is very helpful in ridding your cat or kitten of worms without chemicals. I have been using this with my sick kitten without any problem. It is possible that it could also be helpful in the treatment of FIP since it may remove toxins as well as worms. Please only use food grade Diatomacious earth. It's very important to use a raw diet or at least add raw chicken, turkey, beef or samon to you sick kitten or cats food daily. Hope this helps. Oh wait, the most important thing is to know that Jesus Christ is waiting and willing to help, so don't negect prayer. He will hear all that call upon His name in faith and humility. I believe it is because of Him I was able to find the information that has extended my precious kitten's life. Darcat --