Conference misery::feline

    Here in the states, there is no true test for FIP.  Veterinarians can
    perform a combination of tests that might lead to a diagnosis of FIP,
    but the only real way to confirm it is upon autopsy.  There is no cure
    to date, and eventually the cat will succomb to the disease.
    
    A complete blood work-up is what most good vets will do upon suspecting
    a case of FIP.  They will check protein levels and globulin, red and
    white cell count, and liver and kidney function.  Note that there are
    two forms of FIP, wet and dry.  The wet form is most easiest to detect
    due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.  The vet can aspirate
    and culture the fluid to determine if it is consistent with FIP related
    fluid, which is straw colored and tacky (sticky) in the advanced stages
    of the disease.  The abdomen will be bloated from the fluid, similar to
    a bad case of worms.
    
    I am not too familiar with the dry form but believe some symptoms are
    loss of appetite, extreme lethargy, jaundice, and persistant fever. 
    Some of these symptoms might even overlap with the wet form.
    
    New vaccines have been introduced here, and I know of a few people who
    administer it to their kittens and cats.  I am not sure how you could
    go about obtaining vaccine, but suggest you involve your veterinarian
    if that is what you decide.  The vaccine is administered intra-nasal,
    not subcutaneous (under the skin).
    
    Jo Ann Cordes Brown shared some new information with me regarding
    treating FIP similar to that of human cancer patients.  Perhaps when
    she enters the file again she can provide more details.
    
    I hope this helps, and I am sorry to learn of your sick kitty.
    
    -Roberta
    

    I understand what you are going through as I went through a positive
    FIP test with my two kittens.  It's been about 6 months since the test
    results and they are doing wonderful, they are about 11 months old now. 
    As Roberta mentioned, I would have the blood work done as it is more
    accurate.  A high FIP titer means the cat has been exposed to
    coronavirus.  It is NOT conclusive of the FIP disease.
    
    I have not had my cats retested so I can't tell you if their titer's
    went down, I don't think the titer result is worth wortrying about.
    
    I know it's easier said then done but try not to worry too much until
    you get a full blood panel done.  What are your cat's symptoms now? 
    I'm sure Jo will reply when she gets a chance, she knows quite a bit
    about felines.
    
    This is transmittable between cats so for your parent's cats safety you
    may want to keep them separated until you know something further.
    
    ...Rania

    Hi,
    
     Having just gone through a bit of a scare about this myself, I'll pass
    on what my vet told me about F.I.P.  If you get a test done, and it
    shows a high titer, that only shows that the cat has been exposed. She
    said almost any cat tested will show some kind of titer, because almost
    every cat has been exposed somehow. (don't know if this included
    purebred cats)
    
     Unless you have another test done about htree weeks later, to see if
    the titer is still higher, you can't tell if the disease is progressing
    or not. 
    
     Even though this is a non treateable disease, it is sort of like human
    AIDS in a way, because the cat can test positive very young, but not
    actually become sick for many years. It's one of those strange diseases. 
    
     I would try not to worry too much. If your kitty seems healthy, he/she
    may still live a long happy life with you. 
    
     I don't have any info on the vaccines, except my vet does not yet
    recommend the vaccine. Only because the jury is still out on its'
    effectivness.
    
     I hope this helped ease your mind a little.
    
    Yonee
                        

    Is it contagious?  If so, how?

    A high titer does not mean the cat has been exposed to the FIP
    coronavirus.  There are many coronaviruses.  A high titer simply means
    that the cat has been exposed to *a* coronavirus, but not necessarily
    the FIP coronavirus.
    
    Each time there is a reference to FIP in this file, it generates a
    discussion about the titer test in diagnosing an FIP infection.  There
    is no *true* test for FIP to date.  The most accurate form of
    determining an exposure is through extensive bloodwork.  I have known
    of many cats who continually show high titers through a series of titer
    tests, but never develop FIP.  Many vets still use the titer test, but
    in my opinion, it is simply not accurate and can incite too much worry
    and panic.
    
    Since FIP is a virus, it is contagious.  Many exposed cats do develop
    immunities and never contract it.  Those at the highest risks are young
    kittens (up to a year old) and geriatric cats, or cats that are
    stressed or debilitated in some way.
    
    I am not trying to invalidate the previous replies, as people are going
    to believe the word of their vet over any of us in this conference.
    However, based on my own experiences and those of close friends, I would
    never have a titer test performed on any one of my cats to determine an FIP
    exposure.  I would opt for a complete blood panel and go from there.
    
    -Roberta
    

    I guess I didn't explain myself too well, and I think I forgot to
    mention that my vet doesn't bother with the titer tests ordinarily,
    for the reason they can't diagnose from it. The test is usually done if
    the cat is already showing some symptoms, with the follow up test in
    three weeks to see if the titer is any/much higher. But she only
    recommends it AFTER symptoms actually are present in the cat.
    
    Hope this cleared up a little of what I stated.
    
    Yonee

    Thanks for the clarification Yonnee!  :^)
    

    There are vets in the states that have begun treating cats that have
    been exposed to FIP with the human cancer medication Interferon. 
    Interferon is an immune system booster, and it has been shown to help
    cats that are fighting Feline Leukemia.  Since it was working with
    FeLV, some vets have decided to try it with FIP.
    
    What I know about it's use is that it is best to start the cat on the
    interferon before the cat is showing obvious signs of debilitation. 
    The cats that I know of that are taking interferon were put on it after
    they came back with elevated blood protein and globulin on their blood
    panels.
    
    The interferon treatment is fairly expensive (prices ranged between
    $12-$40 a bottle depending on the area of the country and the attending
    vet).  The doses varied, but the most common dose was 6 drops
    sublingually (under the tongue) every day for 7 days, then off the meds
    for 7 days, then back on for 7 days, etc.  Initial results have been
    good.  One cat that I know of was starting to build fluid in it's
    abdommen before the interferon treatment started, and that was back in
    May.  The cat is now doing very well.  The owner told me that the cat
    is acting completely normal now.  But, only time will tell if this drug
    can work in the long run.  This treatment is extremely experimental at
    this point.
    
    I am not sure if there are any restrictions against shipping vaccine
    from one country to another.  I am sure that needles can't be shipped. 
    Even though the FIP vaccine doesn't require a needle to administer, a
    needle and syringe can be helpful in mixing the vaccine.
    
    I have given the vaccine to several of my cats.  I recently read a
    Cornell report that stated that the vaccine was basically useless and
    that it shouldn't be used unless the risk of FIP was great.  I think
    that in your case, the risk could be great if your cat is showing
    symptoms of FIP.  As to the effectiveness of the FIP vaccine, I am
    afraid we are in for the same type of debate over it's effectiveness 
    that we are still having about the effectiveness of the FeLV vaccines.
    At least someone is trying to create a vaccine for FIP.  This initial
    vaccine may not be the one, but it is a start.  So far I have used it
    with no ill effects whatsoever.   
    
    Your cat should be isolated from all other cats immediately for their 
    protection, and for your cat's protection.  Your cat could catch an 
    opportunistic illness while his immune system is busy trying to fight 
    off the FIP.
    
    
    Jo

    Could someone deacronymize FIP?  Feline Infectious P*?
    
    Thanks,
    
    len.
    

    peritonitus, although it is not the actual peritonitis caused by... say
    a ruptured appendix.  The symptoms are just similar with the infection
    throughout the abdomen.
    K

    I believe, (if my sorry excuse for a memory is working today) that it
    stands for
    
     Feline Infectious Peritonitis
    
    Sound right to anyone else?
    
    Yon

    That's what I thought, but based on my understanding of peritonitis
    (infection of the peritoneum, or abdominal cavity) it didn't mesh with
    the etiology of FIP in cats; however, .10's comment addresses this.
    
    Thanks all,
    
    len.
    

    Is FIP differenf from FIV (Feline imunological virus)?  
    
    The vet said my cat had FIV, which is the feline equilivant
    to human HIV.  He had to be put down due to repeated lung
    infections/pnumonia, as would be seen in humans with HIV.
    
    
    Gary

    Yes, Gary, They are a different organism.  I don't know enough to go
    into specifics, but they are different.
    K

    FIP and FIV are two different viruses, but they are similar in that
    they both put the immune system in distress and can leave the body prone
    to secondary problems, like the pneumonia that the previous noter
    described.
    
    FIP can take two forms, wet or effusive form, or the dry form.  The dry
    form is harder to diagnose, but it can actually show itself in hundreds
    of different ways.  Sometimes it attacks the cat's liver, other times
    the kidneys, or the brain, and I know of one cat whose symptoms showed
    up as eye problems.
    
    Jo

    Gary, I'm very sorry about your cat.
    
    Karen
    

    Now tha Jo mentioned it, I remember when I first brought Feendoonie
    home from Florida, and brought her to the vet for a check up. She had
    some eye problems which my vet said could sometimes be a symptom of
    F.I.P.  It turned ot to be just a little infection, and all was well
    though.
    
    Yonee

    What kind of eye problems might possibly be symptoms of FIP, Jo?  
    Would a chronic runny eye be one?
    
    Pat
    

    Re: Would a chronic runny eye be one?
    
    Holly has a chronic runny eye, but it's just a symptom of the fact that
    she carries a respiratory disease.
    

    
    
    Hmmm.  Well, that's D.P.'s problem - the chronic runny eye and always
    the same eye too.  He does have occasional URI's and has to go on Amox.
    tabs.  
    
    Pat
    

    
    Some cats are considered URI carriers and you have to deal with the 
    problem on an ongoing basis.
    
    
    

    What my vet noticed with Feendoonie, was that her third eyelid was up a
    little bit. It had been like that since we had found her, so it could
    have been an indicator of something else. Her eyes were nice and clear
    when we picked her up, but she developed osme kind of nastiness, and we
    had to put ointment in her eye for a while. 
    
    Unfortunately, they didn't have me put it in both eyes, so the
    infection went to the other one, and that meant another dose of
    ointment! She was not a happy camper. After that cleared up, her third
    eyelid went back where it belonged, and has stayed there for the past
    year and a half. Except when she got her URI's that I so kindly brought
    home with me! 
    
    Hope this helps ease some minds.
    
    Yonee
    

    The type of eye problems that have been associated with FIP are things
    that aren't generally similar to upper respiratory symptoms.  Some of
    the things that I can remember as having been early signs of FIP were:
    
    eye color changing from blue to green in an cat whose eyes should
    have been blue (it was a Birman)
    
    iris of the eye becoming opaque (whitish) but not because of cataracts
    
    pupils reacting to light at different degrees, one pupil contracting,
    the other remaining dilated.  Or neither pupil contracting when light
    was shined on it
    
    All three of these cases turned out to have the dry form of FIP.  The
    one whose eye color changed from blue to green was a kitten that I had
    bought from someone else.  All I can say is thank God that I had the
    good sense to isolate her before any introductions took place.  We
    discovered the FIP before she was ever let out of isolation.  She was
    able to live for a few months but had to be isolated the entire time.
    It seeed at first that it was only going to affect her eyesight.  I 
    eventually had to make the decision to euthanize her when the disease
    began to affect other organs.
    
    Jo  

    Yesterday we were informed by our vets that one and perhaps both of
    our kitties has FIP.  Bill and Emma were rescued from the Denver
    Dumb Friends League just after Labor day 1992.
    
    Both vets who checked Bill out said they were reasonably certain
    that he was FIP positive.  They didn't want to run the tither test
    because of its innaccuracy etc.  Bill's symptoms are that he has
    one blood shot eye (right) and some hardening of the stomach.  Little
    Bill is but 5 months old, has never been outside or met with
    anyone other than those he was with at the shelter. Needless to say
    my wife and I are devestated... we haven't told the kids anything
    other than that Bill might not ever be fully healthy.
    
    Both vets are certain, albeit unhappy, with their diagnosis.  Currently
    they are having us treat Bill with antibotics in hopes that his eye
    will respond (and that they might have misdiagnosed Bill's symptoms).
    
    Emma is a 7 month old kitten and shows no symptoms yet.  The vets
    told my wife that if Bill truly is FIP positive it is highly likely
    that Emma is FIP positive as well.
    
    Bill and Emma were to be 'life-long friends' and companions for the 
    family (to fill the void left by our 14 year old cat Sam's death 
    last April).
    
    Has anybody any experience with the catagion portion of FIP? Any
    ideas as to what if anything we might do, suggest to our vets or
    whatever... besides resign ourselves to making Bill (and possibly
    Emma's) remaining time as good as it can be?
    
    						...mark

    So sorry to hear about Bill.  Hopefully, the antibiotics will work and
    it won't really be FIP.  Is there a vaccine that could help protect
    Emma?
    
    Paws crossed,
    Michelle and Nic & Lasher

    I believe my neighbors had a cat who had FIP and managed quite well
    for something on the order of years, so I would hang in there
    in terms of hoping.  Please let us know how things are going.
    

    As of today my wife says (I'm on the road, again!) Bill is active
    and perky...being friends chasing Emma about.  
    
    In a couple of weeks the vets intend to check Emma out for FeL...
    they don't think it's necessary to do that for Bill (given his
    prognosis I guess).
    
    We are trying to be positive (attitude-wise).  SInce there doesn't
    appear to much we can change, we'll go on hoping for the best.  
    
    Thanks for the best wishes... just writing about this helps.
    
    				ttfn
    				...mark

    I'm sorry to hear about Bill.
    
    My cat Ernie was diagnosed with FIP in early November.  I guess they
    can never diagnose it "for sure" but all indications suggest that is
    what he has.  Ernie *was* an indoor/outdoor (mostly outdoor by HIS
    choice) but now due to his condition (highly contagious) I will not let
    him outside to infect another cat.
    
    On the other hand, Bert (his brother) shows NO signs of FIP and I am
    not going to have him tested for it unless he gets ill.  At his last
    check-up the vet said he was "healthy as an ox." - nearly as big ;^)
    
    Ernie is not doing too well.  I have him on Prednisone but it doesn't
    seem to be helping all that much.  He has one enlarged kidney which is
    causing nasty side-effects... he seems to have forgotten where the
    litterbox is.  He sleeps a lot but since I've taken him off the
    anti-biotics he does seem to be eating better.
    
    I wish you good luck with Bill.  I've been e-mailing another Noter from
    this conference whose cats were diagnosed with FIP in 1989!!  So, she
    has given me hope.  Since Ernie is so young-- 2 years old-- it is
    especially depressing that he has this incurable/terminal illness. 
    Doesn't feel much like Christmas this year...
    
    I hope Emma reacts as Bert seems to be... there is a chance that she
    just won't ever develop FIP.  I am praying the same for my Bert.
    
    

    I hope Ernie does well.  Prednisolone does cause drowsiness.  My Sweetie
    currently gets one pill every other evening, and he tends to mostly
    sleep thru the day after the pill.  Antibiotics can also cause nausea
    which would probably account for the not eating.
    
    You might ask your vet about the missing the litterbox, just to be sure its
    not something that could be treated.
    

    Bill went to the vet today. He had been started on stronger antibiotics
    on Christmas Eve.  We had noticed marked discoloration of his eyes
    right after they had changed his eye drops to include a steroid. His
    right eye is so discolored that we can not tell if the retina is still
    attached but fear he may now be blind in that eye. His left eye is now
    showing the floaters, indicative of FIP (according to our Vets).  We
    have been told that uveaitis (sp??)[discoloration of the iris/ pupil
    area] can be caused by 5 different things none of them good...
    FIP,FIV,FeLV,toxoplasmosis, and one other(?).  An 'eye' expert was
    consulted.  He recommended performing a full battery of tests
    (EXPENSIVE!) and then treating with massive doses of antibiotics and
    steroids if it was determined that Bill 'has' FIP. It was implied that
    we should put him down if he has FIV or FeLV or the fifth disease whose
    name I can't remember. Bill has an excellent appetite, has gained
    weight and continues to grow nicely.  His total protein is 'normal'
    (7.6). He spends most of his time eating, sleeping or washing.  He is
    still VERY good natured and EXTREMELY cuddly. Our vet's recommendation
    is to skip spending money on the tests (it wouldn't change the way they
    want to treat Bill's symptoms) and instead spend our money on
    medication in the hopes of rescuing little Bill (and Emma).
    
    Emma appears nervous and edgy.  She doesn't play as eagerly as earlier
    (when Bill was up and about).  She's not eating as well as before and
    is not gaining weight or growing- though she is a 7 months and may be
    between growth spurts...or maybe will just end up small? The vet has
    also put her on an antibiotic, as precautionary move.
    
    We told the kids today... and they were devastated.  This makes for a
    really LOUSY Christmas / New Years mood...  
    
    Our vet is checking with the Veterinary College at the University of
    Colorado in Boulder and also at CSU in Fort Collins for their (or any)
    recommendations as to possible 'cures'.
    
    Needless to say we ARE  B U M M E D out.  Any ideas, thoughts, prayers
    etc. are most appreciated.....
    
    						...mark 
    
     

    Sorry to hear about Bill's ordeal.  I have no experience with this kind
    of thing, so I can't offer any advice.  But I can, and do, offer my
    prayers and lots of healing thoughts for Bill and Emma.
    
    Best,
    Michelle

    It's possible that Emma may be reacting to the unhappiness about
    Bill;  cats really pick those things up, so I wouldn't assume she
    is showing signs of illness.
    
    Could the steroid be causing Bill's eye problem?  I'd swear I'd
    read somewhere in here that some situation like that had occurred
    once.
    
    You're in my thoughts.  Please let us know how you all are
    doing.
    

    Thank you for your good thoughts and concerns.  The course of Bill's
    illness has been a rollercoaster ride.  Last night, we administered
    atropine ointment to both eyes along with his oral and topical
    antibiotics.  This morning we saw phenomenal improvement.  The uveitis
    has decreased in both eyes so that we can actually see a little of his
    normal eye color.  The pressure behind the lens due to build up of
    blood and by-products of the infection also appears to be reduced.  We
    were also VERY pleased to note some relection of light through his
    right pupil (maybe he has not lost the use of that eye!).  He surprised
    Emma by initiating a play and wrestling session that lasted for about
    half an hour.  It took her a few minutes to realize that he  actually
    wanted to play.  Her appetite immediately improved along with her
    attitude.  So ... once again, we are hopeful.
    
    re:.32  Yes, the vet and we feel that the steroid brought on this
    latest bout of Bill's eye problem.  Immediately before it occured he
    had been examined and found to be "amazingly improved".  The steroids
    were tried to see if it would remove the last of the redness.  After
    his second dose, we noted a slight bleeding at the edge of his right
    iris.  The steroid was discontinued after the third dose.  It was only
    downhill from there.  We feel that  his body had managed to wall off
    the infection and that the steroid broke through that "wall".  It
    should probably be noted that the "eye expert" does not agree with us
    and feels that it was just a coincidence.  We and the vet, however, are
    going to go with our "gut feeling" for now.
    
    Please continue the good thoughts, though.  They seem to be helping!
    
    As we learn more about this 'disease', we'll share our experiences in
    hopes of making it a little easier for anyone else who's unfortunate 
    enough to find themselves in similar circumstances.
    
    					
    					...mark 
     

    Lots of kitty prayers coming your way....your in our thoughts!!
    And please do keep us posted.....
    
    Sandy 

    Hello all...
    
    Sad to say but we have a final update on our friend Bill.  He died on
    21 June (we had to have him euthanized).  His FIP had advanced to the
    point where he was unable to walk or breath without great effort.
    After his death, our vet did perform an autopsy to validate his
    condition.
    
    Now that he is gone we were told we should wait six months before
    getting another cat... both to ensure that Emma hasn't contracted FIP
    and that any remaining virus is no longer viable.
    
    					...mark

    
    So sorry to hear about your buddy, Bill...my sincere sympathies to
    you.  My fingers are crossed that little Emma doesn't contact that
    nasty disease.  
    
    Sandy

On December 31, we lost little Joe Mao 4 days short of his 1st birthday to FIP.
Now that I can write about it without my hands shaking too much or my
eyes blurring with tears, I would like to pass on what I have learned
about the disease, hopfully helping other kitties and their humans to
avoid the heartbreak and anguish we have just suffered.

The following is the text from a pamphlet printed by the Veterinary
Practice Publishing Company.  The information contained in it is
endorsed by Davis, Cornell, and a host of veterinary associations as
being an accurate representation of what is known about the disease,
at least according to both of the veterinarians that we took Joe Mao to,
from whom we got the pamphlet.

The text of the pamphlet is given here without permission of the authors
or printers, but I would hope that they don't mind.

I'm sorry that the text is rather long.  Perhaps readers may want to print
it out and read it at leisure and keep for future reference.  It's really
important information, IME, and I hope that copies are made and circulated.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------

                  FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS

Definition and Cause of FIP

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is an important and complex disease of
both wild and domestic cats.  It has occurred in the United States since
the early 1950's and is worldwide in distribution.

The great majority of cats that become infected recover completely and
develop immunity to FIP.  Some of the recovered cats become carriers of the
virus and can infect other cats.  A few infected cats do not build up
immunity to FIP, and the disease progresses to the fatal form discussed
here.

The fatal, disseminated form of FIP is a chronic, progressive disease
characterized by antibiotic-resistant fever, weakness, loss of appetite,
lethargy and often enemia.  Inflammation is present in the linings of the
chest and abdominal cavities, often accompanied by accumulation of fluid
within those cavities.  In addition, there is marked variation in the
organs that may be involved and in the extent of their involvement.

Three forms of fatal FIP are recognized:

   Wet Form - Fluid accumulates in the abdominal and/or chest cavities.

   Dry Form - Organs such as the kidneys, liver, central nervous system
   and eyes are involved, but little or no fluid accumulation occurs.

   Third Form - A combination of wet and dry forms occurs.

The causative agent of FIP is a virus belonging the the family
Coronaviridae (a coronavirus).  Coronaviruses are important causes of
upper respiratory and gastrointestinal disease in several species of birds
and mammals, including humans.  The Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus
(FIPV) is closely related to certain other coronaviruses of pigs, dogs,
and humans.

The mechanism by which FIPV causes disease in cats has been investigated
for a number of years.  Currently, the disease process is known to involve
an intense and widespread inflammation of the linings of blood vessels
(especially small capillaries and venules), resulting in leakage of non-
cellular components of blood through damaged vessel walls.  Persistence of
this inflammation thus causes fluid accumulation within body cavities.  In
the dry form of FIP, there is little escape of fluid; instead, there is
often widespread formation of "abscesses" around small vessels within
numerous organs.

In addition to the virulence of the virus, other factors probably play an
important role in determining which cats will develop the fatal form of
FIP, which cats will become carriers of the virus and which cats will
effectively eliminate the virus.  These factors probably include hereditary
predisposition, nutrition, age at time of exposure to the virus, concurrent
illnesses, and other physical stresses.

Occurrence and Transmission

FIP is not a common disease of cats.  It occurs primarily in two age
groups:  the young (2-3 years of age and younger) and the very old (10
years of age and older).  The higher incidence of FIP in the young may be
due to several factors:  the young are generally less resistant to diseases
than are adults; the first exposure to many diseases occurs during the
early years; and other diseases which are more likely to affect the young
cat may have a precipitating effect.  The occurrence of FIP in old cats
may be due to a lowered resistance to disease because of age-related
changes in the immune system.

FIP occurs more frequently in multiple-cat households and in catteries and
cat colonies where one cat has already been infected.  The disease occurs
with about equal frequency in males and females.  No seasonal pattern has
been observed.

Exactly how the virus is transmitted from cat to cat in the "wild" is not
known, but in the laboratory it can be experimentally transmitted by
inhalation, by mouth and by injection, using filtered abdominal fluid,
blood urine, and tissues from cats with naturally occurring FIP.  The
experimental incubation period (the time from innoculation to observable
signs) is 2 days to 2 weeks.  The incubation period of the naturally
occurring disease is unknown.  the virus is quite contagious once intro-
duced into a group of cats, and recent evidence suggests that fecal
transmission may be of importance.  However, very few cats that are
exposed to FIPV ever develop fatal FIP.  The virus does not survive for
long outside the cat, and at the present time there are no other species
of animals known to harbor the virus.  FIP *cannot* be transmitted to
humans.

Signs of FIP

The onset of FIP is usually insidious; it may not be noticed for several
weeks and may thus erroneously be thought to have come on suddenly.  Signs
most frequently reported by owners of cats with the wet form of FIP include
some or all of the following, which are usually said to have been present
from 1 to 6 weeks:  appetite loss, depression, inactivity, listlessness,
weakness, fever, wasting, abdominal swelling, and difficulty in breathing.
The dry form usually has a history of only fever, weight loss and weakness;
these signs are very general and can be due to many diseases other than
FIP.

The initial signs seen by the veterinarian on presentation of the cat in
addition to the signs seen by the owner are:  a swollen, fluctuant abdomen
resulting from the accumulation of fluid leaking out of damaged vessels;
a fever ranging from 103 degrees to 106 degrees F, which usually does not
decrease with antibiotic therapy; dehydration; and often anemia.  In
advanced cases, veterinarians observe jaundice and darkened urine,
diahrrea, respiratory distress when abundant chest fluid is present,
vomiting, constipation, changes in the eyes, and neurological signs.

Most cats with fatal FIP die within 2 to 8 weeks after the first signs,
although there are reports of FIP duration as short as 1 day or as long as
3 to 4 months.

Diagnosis of FIP

The variety and frequently non-specific nature of the signs of FIP make
diagnosis difficult in many cases.  A positive diagnosis of FIP while the
cat is alive is often not possible.  This frustrating state of affairs is
due primarily to two factors:

    o  The variable effects and signs of FIP
    o  The difficulty in interpretation of diagnostic tests for FIP

If the disease is restricted to specific organs such as the kidney, liver,
central nervous system (brain and/or spinal cord), and eyes, as seen in the
dry form of FIP, then the signs suggest disease of the affected organ(s)
rather than a more general illness such as FIP.  This can be very
misleading in attempting to arrive at a diagnosis.  For example, more than
50% of cats with the dry form of FIP exhibit signs related only to the
eyes, the brain and spinal cord, and/or kidneys.  Neurologic signs which
can occur in the dry form include incoordination, tremors, convulsions,
personality changes, and paralysis.

A further complication in making a diagnosis can be the presence of another
disease which the cat may have had prior to FIP.  This prior disease may
have opened the way for FIP.  Nearly half of all cats with FIP are also
infected with Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), a known predisposing factor for
the development of numerous diseases in addition to those caused directly
by FeLV itself.

When a cat is presented with chronic fever accompanied by depression, loss
of appetite and wasting -- the typical FIP clinical picture -- the
diagnostic possibilities are numerous because such signs are also
characteristic of many other feline diseases.

Clinical diagnosis must often be based on a process of elimination.  That
is, the veterinarian considers the "look-alike" diseases before concluding
a cat has FIP.  Diagnosis is difficult and often impossible until fluid is
obtained for examination.  The dry form therefore presents the greatest
difficulty in diagnosis.

Important in arriving at diagnosis are:

    o  Clinical history
    o  Clinical signs
    o  Examination of abdominal or chest fluid, if present
    o  Laboratory findings
    o  Eye examination
    o  Exploratory surgery and biopsy
    o  Postmortem findings

Diagnostic Tests

There are numerous diagnostic tests which can be performed to help
establish a diagnosis of FIP.

    Coronavirus Antibody Test

    This test measures coronavirus antibodies which may be present in the
    blood.  Most healthy cats (60-90%) in the general feline population
    (excluding cats in catteries, multiple-cat households and isolated
    closed breeding colonies) are negative for coronavirus antibodies.  A
    positive coronavirus antibody titer in a healthy cat is indicative of
    prior exposure to a coronavirus, probably FIPV.  Most healthy cats
    with such titers will never develop FIP.

    Currently it is not possible to predict which cats with coronavirus
    antibodies are susceptible to the development of FIP and which are
    immune.  Most antibody-positive cats (especially those with higher
    titers) are probably virus carriers and chronically shed FIPV from
    either the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract or both.  There is
    evidence that some positive coronavirus antibody titers may decline to
    zero over a period of months, suggesting that the length of time cats
    remain shedders of the virus may vary.  Antibody titers of 1:400 and
    above in an ill animal showing signs suggestive of FIP are consistent
    with *BUT NOT DIAGNOSTIC* of FIP.  Fulminating FIP, characterized by
    very rapid accumulation of fluid, may on occasion be associated with
    lower titers (1:25 to 1:100).

    A rise in antibody titer in a cat with FIP represents an exaggerated,
    ineffective immune response and is indicative of a worsening of the
    disease process.

    The coronavirus antibody test is useful for several purposes:

        o  To *aid* in the diagnosis of FIP in an ill cat with signs
           suggestive of FIP;
        o  To determine the presence or absence of coronavirus antibodies
           in a previously untested household;
        o  To detect potential virus carriers when introducing new cats
           into FIPV-free households;
        o  To monitor treatment of FIP, when attempted.  Decreasing titers
           over a period of time (except in the terminal stage of the
           disease) are indicative of clinical (and usually temporary)
           remission.  However, the effects on the immune response of
           drugs used in the treatment of FIP must be also considered.

    Because there is presently no way of determining whether coronavirus
    antibody-positive cats are susceptible or immune to FIP, a test-and-
    removal program similar to that advocated for control of FeLV infection
    is not recommended.  There is no reason to put healthy, coronavirus
    antibody-positive cats to sleep.

    Fluid Examination

    In the wet form of the disease, abdominal and thoracic fluid can be
    examined in the laboratory.  A sample of the fluid is removed by
    syringe from the affected cat.  Sedation may be necessary for this
    procedure in some cats.

    Blood Tests

    Blood tests may reveal an anemia, especially later in the disease; but
    anemia is not uncommon in the sick cat regardless of the cause of the
    illness.

    Exploratory Surgery and Biopsy

    Abdominal surgery and biopsy (the removal and examination of tissue
    samples from the living body) are helpful in making a diagnosis of
    FIP.  In fact, biopsy remains *the definitive procedure* for diagnosis
    of FIP in the living cat.  The microscopic changes seen in biopsy
    tissue from cats with FIP are characteristic for the disease.  However,
    such surgery and tissue examination entail additional expense for the
    cat owner and may represent a significant risk for the patient.

    Response To Other Treatment

    Many cats are already receiving treatment for their illness before FIP
    is suspected as the cause.  There is usually some initial response to
    treatment, but in the vast majority of cases it is only temporary.  The
    response to treatment, together with the signs of the disease and
    diagnostic tests, is helpful in arriving at a diagnosis.

    Other Tests

    Urinalysis, x-ray, and other tests are seldom helpful but may be of use
    in diagnosing some FIP cases.

    The variable nature of FIP often requires that repeated tests be made
    before a reliable diagnosis can be reached.  Such laboratory
    investigation can be both time-consuming and costly.  The potentially
    fatal outcome must be borne in mind when decisions are being made as to
    the direction and extent of diagnostic investigation.

Treatment

No curative treatment currently exists for FIP.  Some measures, however,
can be taken which may make the patient more comfortable and perhaps delay
the inevitable outcome of the disease.

The basic aim of therapy in FIP is to moderate the disseminated
inflammatory reactions that are occurring throughout the animal's body.
The most effective treatment regimens combine high levels of cortisone-like
drugs, anti-cancer drugs, and broad-spectrum antibiotics to combat
secondary bacterial infection.  Anti-cancer drugs can be especially helpful
in reducing inflammation, and cortisone-like drugs have the added benefits
of stimulating appetite and promoting "well-being."  Vitamins and iron help
overcome nutirtional deficiencies that result from the patient's poor
appetite.  Fluids may be administered to help combat dehydration, and
force-feeding may be necessary.

If the accumulation of abdominal or chest fluid is causing the cat
discomfort, repeated drainage may be required.

Keeping a cat alive by these treatment measures can be a very time-
consuming and expensive process.  While there may be greater comfort for
the cat following treatment and even temporary remission, the relentless
course of the disease eventually leads to death in almost all cases.

Unfortunately, the prospects for a FIP vaccine are not bright at the
present time, but research into this disease is continuing in the United
States, Europe, and Japan.  It is possible that a vaccine may be developed
at some time in the future.

1982 Veterinary Publishing Company, Santa Barbara, CA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Of course, since this was published, a vaccine *has* been developed (see
topic 375, I think, this conference), but the vaccine has had mixed
results.  Some vets recommend it while others say it has no effect.

In poor little Joe Mao's case, he was being treated for a chronic URI.  I
thought that we were finally making some headway when the vet prescribed
Flocillin injections every 5 days and Antirobe drops (an antibiotic).
Joe perked right up and was a happy, playful kitty.  But then when the
treatment didn't appear to be working anymore and we took him back to the
vet, she discovered his bloated abdomen and drew out a sticky, straw-
colored fluid.  Joe was such a sweet boy and had a way of endearing him-
self to everyone who met him.  When the vet saw the fluid, tears came to
her eyes and we knew something was dreadfully wrong.

The vet tried to soften the blow as much as she could, but it still dropped
on us like an atomic bomb.  She said that the fluid was almost always
indicative of FIP.

We had her do the blood test and test the abdominal fluid.  Surprisingly,
absolutely nothing abnormal showed up in the blood test (but I know better
now, having read the above lengthy text), and the vet school at Davis, CA
said their examination of the fluid was "inconclusive".

Our vet, however, was almost 100% positive that it was FIP, she having
seen hundreds of cases during her career.  Still, we wanted to give Joe
every chance to live, and in what was one of the toughest decisions of my
life, we decided to have a biopsy performed.  During the procedure, all
three vets had a look at Joe's abdominal cavity and their conclusion was
that it was as advanced a case of FIP as they'd ever seen.

After little Joe Mao came out of recovery, we spent a few minutes with him
telling him how much we loved him and what a special little boy he was to
us.  He purred and butted heads and rubbed noses with us.  Then we had him
put to sleep.  We were there to hold him until the end.  It was the saddest
moment of my life.

I know Joe is in heaven because that's where the angels live (wait for us
Joe, we'll be there all too soon ourselves).  Until then, the best I can do
is treasure his memory.  I have to think that there is a place in heaven
(maybe it's like a living room with a fire and a nice bottle of brandy)
where we are reuinited with our little ones, where we can comfort each
other forever.

In retrospect, we spent hundreds of dollars trying to save Joe's life.  I
would have gladly spent much, much more if that would've helped.  But this
was one of those things that money can't buy.

Joe Mao
Jan. 4, 1993 - Dec. 31, 1993

Rest in peace, Joey.  You enriched our lives more than I can say.  We miss
you like crazy.

Carl, Marie, Cally, Chowder, Mocha, and Mai Buri

    Hello Feliners:
    
    Since little Joe Mao died of FIP, I've been reading everything I could
    get my hands on about it.  Most of the stuff I've read has only been
    a rehash of what I've already read, like the stuff I posted in note
    -.1 a few months ago.
    
    But here is an interesting article I came across in my cat club's
    (Havana Brown Fanciers) newsletter.  I'm reprinting it here with the
    author's permission.  She says to feel free to copy/print to our
    heart's content.
    
    It's a rather long article, so I'll post it in installments as I
    finish typing segments of it.  In the article, there are many
    references to supporting books and papers.  I'll list them with the
    final installment.
    
    Carl
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New Vaccines:  Beneficial or Deadly?
----------------------------------------
by Lorraine Shelton

About the Author
----------------
Ms. Shelton has a B.S. in Biological Science and a B.A. in Psychology from
the University of California at Irvine, 1984.  She is currently a formu-
lation scientist in the Immunotherapy Division of Baxter Biotechnical, a
position she has held since May, 1992.  She has a long history of involve-
ment with animal sciences including accelerated stability studies of formu-
lated monoclonal antibodies, evaluation of protein degradation, and re-
search and development of veterinary products.  She is co-inventor of a
monoclonal antibody assay technique now in standard use.  Ms. Shelton was 
awarded UCI's President's Undergraduate Fellowship for original research
in the field of immunology.  She also raises Chocolate Persian cats under
the Featherland Cattery name.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

It all started with a beautiful silver persian by the name of Princess.
She was brought into the veterinary hospital soon after being purchased
by one of our clients.  We were quickly informed that this was no ordinary
feline.  She had paid one thousand dollars for this cat and it was to
receive the best care possible.  This was BC (before cats) for me and it
sure sounded like a lot of money for a kitten.  It *was* pretty, though.

I was a veterinary technician at a typical small animal hospital.  We
could count the number of purebred cats we saw each year on one hand.
Breeders were the lowest form of life on the planet.  How could they keep
breeding cats when so many were put to sleep every year for lack of good
homes?  We knew that breeders made the "big bucks" and didn't give a darn
about their cats.  After all, if they really cared about their animals
they wouldn't breed them with those horrid pushed in faces, right?

The Norden feline leukemia vaccine was relatively new at that time.  We
were under strict orders that no cat was to enter the hospital without
being sold the test and vaccine.  It was our job to see that cats were
protected against this deadly disease.  We quoted the Norden advertisements
that keeping your cat indoors was no protection against feline leukemia
because cats could catch this disease through screen doors or from virus
tracked in on your shoes.  After all, a vaccine approved by the USDA could
*never* harm an animal, right?

So, Princess was started on the vaccine, even though she was never to have
contact with another cat for her entire life.  Then one day, about a month
after her first FeLV shot, she came in "a little down."  She wasn't eating,
she was running a fever, and she started to get a bit of a bloated belly.

Yes, poor Princess had Feline Infectious Peritonitus.  The owner was
furious.  Since Princess hadn't been in contact with any other cats, she
obviously had been "harboring a latent FIP infection" when she was pur-
chased.  She was going to sue and she certainly had the backing of the vets
and staff.  We all wanted to "get that breeder."  The vet wrote a scathing
letter about how the breeder should return every penny of that $1000, plus
another $800 or so in vet bills.  We were all willing to testify in court
if she needed us.

A few years have passed since the incident with Princess.  Upon leaving the
vet hospital, I went to work for a company researching FeLV, FIP, and FIV
and developing diagnostic test kits for for veterinary hospitals.  My job
called for me to research thoroughly the field of feline virology and
immunology.  In college, immunology had held a particular appeal to me.  I
had spent two years performing research in this field as an undergraduate.

I am now convinced that the owner, the vet hospital, and Norden Laborator-
ies had unintentionally killed Princess.  Let me explain to you how I
became convinced of this.  I would like to discuss the nature of the FeLV
vaccine, the nature of the USDA animal biologicals approval process, and
why new vaccines in general are a danger to purebred cats.

The feline leukemia vaccine is produced in tissue culture by an ingenious
process that stops the production of a full, live virus just short of
completion (ref. 1).  Virtually all of the parts of this deadly virus are
present in the vaccine (ref. 2), but the virus is inactivated, that is, it
cannot replicate and cause the disease of feline leukemia in the vaccinated
cat (ref. 3).

But the proteins that cause some of the symptoms of feline leukemia are
still there (ref. 2).  Of particular interest is the p15e subunit of the
gp85 coat protein (ref. 4).  This protein contributes to the immuno-
suppression found in FeLV.  Remember, cats do not die of feline leukemia
virus infection alone.  Just like aids patients, they die of complications
due to their inadequate immune systems (refs. 5, 6).

    Hello Feliners:
    
    Here's the second installment of the article I started in note -.1.
    There's a bit more, so thanks for your patience while I find time
    to type it up.
    
    Carl
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The link between FIP and FeLV is well supported in the literature (refs.
7, 8, 9, 10).  Most cats infected experimentally with FeLV end up with
FIP being listed as the actual cause of death (ref. 11).  At least half
of all clinically ill FIP cats in the field are also positive for FeLV
(ref. 12).

Unfortunately, not a lot is known about FIP.  It is a coronavirus.  This
class of viruses is very widespread through the animal kingdom.  Almost
all strains cause only mild to moderate disease.  Coronaviruses are very
rarely deadly (ref. 13).  Testing cats for antibodies against corona-
viruses indicates that these viruses are in virtually all catteries (ref.
14).  However, very few catteries ever experience substantial losses from
FIP.  Occasional random losses or self-limiting outbreaks seem to be the
rule (ref. 15).  Elimination of FeLV, good husbandry, minimizing in-
breeding, smaller populations, and keeping stress levels low (ref. 15) will
bring this number down to the low end of this range.  But most cases of FIP
in catteries have no rhyme or reason.

Shipping cats at an early age or introducing new cats to the household may
lead to an outbreak.  These are situations that can give us clues to the
nature of the disease.  Certain breedings may be more likely to "throw"
FIP (ref. 16).  These clues seem to indicate a model of the disease
different from how most of us view viral diseases.  When we get a cold,
many of us believe that it is because we "caught it somewhere."  We don't
stop to think that every day we are surrounded by viruses, but only rarely
do we become ill.  When we haven't gotten enough sleep or when we aren't
taking care of ourselves, these are the times when our immune systems
aren't working their best.

Each cattery may have it's own "cocktail" of coronavirus strains that the
cats of the household have built a resistance to (ref. 17).  But that *one*
kitten who got dealt the poor hand genetically and has a weak immune system
catches the disease.  You may never have had FIP, but ship a young cat
across the country and you may get that most feared of phone calls from the
buyer stating that the cat has come down with FIP.  The stress of the trip
was enough to lower his natural immunity to the FIP virus lurking in his
own body.  Also, the cats from other catteries may not be able to fight the
strain that is causing no problems in your cattery.  This is what leads to
most outbreaks (ref. 18).

So, a purebred cattery cat gets sold to a pet home.  This is the most
stressful time in a kitty's life.  And what are most of the vet hospitals
doing to this kitten?  Temporarily wiping out what little immune system
he has left with a vaccine containing immunosuppressive and theoretically
even macrophage sensitizing subunits of the feline leukemia virus.  The
FIP virus that would have never caused the kitten any problems now repro-
duces out of control in the cat's body and eventually kills him.

The other scenario that kept showing up in my questioning of cat owners
that had lost cats to FIP was the case of the three to five year-old cat,
a cat that should be at virtually NO risk of FIP statistically (ref. 19)
coming down with FIP coincidentally after having been started on the FeLV
vaccine.  It should also be remembered that one of the first Norden
experiments to prove efficacy of the FeLV vaccine was discontinued because
of deaths due to FIP (ref. 3).  Norden claims the cats were "accidentally"
exposed to FIP.  But cattery cats are also getting exposed "accidentally."
So many cases with one thing in common.

Why don't FeLV vaccine manufacturers see this and take the vaccine off the
market?  Because the problem statistically does not exist.  Purebred cats
do not exist for all intents and purposes.  They comprise only about 4% of
the cat population (ref. 20).  If 100% of purebred cats receiving the
FeLV vaccine dropped dead, it would show up as an insignificant fluke.  Dr.
Neils Pederson of U.C. Davis had to keep quiet about his findings on this
phenomenon because Norden had the data to prove him a liar.  Of the
millions of vaccines given, there are very few instances of adverse vaccine
reactions (ref. 21).  USDA requires vaccine manufacturers to keep records
of adverse reactions reported to them by vets.

But this is not the complete picture.  Remember, FIP cases like Princess's
are blamed on breeders, not vaccine manufacturers.  Vets do not report FIP
appearing a full month or more after vaccination as an adverse vaccine
reaction.  No controlled study will ever be performed using *our* cats.
USDA only requires that a vaccine be proven "safe and effective" in mixed-
breed cats.  Only thirty-five cats, by the way, were given Leukocell in
the safety and efficacy studies (ref. 3).  But we might as well be discuss-
ing another species when applying data gathered on random-bred cats to our
cats.  We do not achieve "survival of the fittest" in our catteries.  Our
cats are not bred for strong immune systems needed for survival in the
"real world."  We have special cats with special needs.  And "safe and
effective" in "alley cats" does *not* mean "safe and effective" in pure-
breds.  The vaccine companies have done assays to prove that their vaccines
do not cause immunosuppression, but these tests only look at one part of a
very complex immunological picture to support their claims (ref. 4).
Independent studies seem to indicate that the vaccines offer only 0-70%
protection anyway (refs. 11, 22).  But remember, 73% of cats are naturally
immune to FeLV (refs. 31, 32), and inside only cat owners aren't told the
fact that transmission of FeLV requires intimate and repetitive contact
with a carrier cat (ref. 15).  Cats just don't catch FeLV through screen
doors or at cat shows, for that matter.

    Hello Feliners:
    
    Here's the third installment of the article I started in note -.2.
    There's one more part to type up.  Hopefully I can get to it soon.
    
    Carl
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now we are faced with an even newer vaccine:  the Primucell FIP vaccine,
the first vaccine developed for a disease that *cannot* even be screened
for in an asymptomatic cat!  It is a very innovative vaccine, the first
of its kind that reports to set up a "cell-mediated immunity" against the
virus in the mucous membranes of the animal (ref. 23).  It is not
*supposed* to increase antibody titers against FIP in the cat, but instead
make the disease strike with even more deadly force (refs. 24, 25).

Again we are asked to make our cats guinea pigs.  This vaccine is supposed
to protect a cat from catching a disease when it can't even be proven that
he doesn't already have the disease!  The vaccine is supposed to be given
at sixteen weeks, when by all indications, our cattery cats are already
infected with coronaviruses by that time (ref. 26).

The first independent studies of Primucell are in and were presented at the
Fourth Annual Feline Practioners Seminar at Cornell University on August
7-10, 1992.  Protection against FIP was achieved in 0-50% of the challenged
cats in the initial studies.  When the challenge dose was lowered, the
vaccine did a bit better (66% protection, still lower than USDA guidelines
for a new vaccine).  But the authors admit that the "dose" that virally
challenged cats get in the wild is completely unknown, so the laboratory
conditions may not be at all similar to what happened "in the field" (ref.
27).

My question is:  How can USDA allow a vaccine to be released to "protect"
against a disease we know so little about?  This certainly is not the way
the FDA operates with human drugs and biologicals!

Plain saline could be put in a syringe and be able to carry a claim of 95-
98% effectiveness in preventing FIP under natural conditions.  Remember,
only 2-5% of exposed cats ever develop FIP!  The scariest part of this
study is that 20-73% of the vaccinated cats developed ENHANCED clinical
disease upon challenge with FIP as a result of the Vaccine (ref. 27).  All
but one vaccinated cat had enhancing antibodies present in their blood.
This was the situation the vaccine was *expressly* invented to prevent.
Yes, folks, that is right -- use the vaccine and your cats will start to
carry *higher* coronavirus titers.  This could make the monitoring of
your FIP status in the future impossible when and if a specific test for
FIP ever becomes available (ref. 28).

This vaccine consists of a live virus that has been grown in such a way to
prevent it from reproducing at a cat's normal body temperature (ref. 23).
However, these viruses are known to mutate rapidly into new strains so they
can adapt to adverse growth conditions (ref. 29).  Think very carefully
about whether you want to bring a new strain of live FIP into *your*
cattery.

Do not let your cats become guinea pigs for the vaccine companies.
Remember, they have no concern for your cattery's needs, as the vast
majority of their customers are the owners of mixed-breed cats.  Whenever
you consider prophylactically treating your cats for *anything*, you need
to evaluate the situation in a risk-to-benefit ratio fashion.  This means
that if your cat has no chance of ever being exposed to a certain disease
no matter how safe the vaccine is, the risks outweigh the benefits.  If
you are a *rare* cattery having extensive losses to FIP (I am talking cats
and kittens dropping right and left here, not just one or two kittens in an
occasional litter), perhaps the risks may be worth the gamble.  Primucell's
manufacturer reports a cattery that has stopped an acute outbreak of a
very virulent strain of FIP dead in its tracks with this vaccine.  On the
advice of their vet, they did use it at a much earlier age than recommended
on the label (ref. 30).  If you have a cat that wanders outside, by all
means use an FeLV vaccine.  Even though the efficacy may be low, the risks
of your roaming cat coming in contact with an FeLV carrier is high.  The
vast majority of cats statistically *are* indoor/outdoor, mixed-breed cats
that may benefit from these vaccines.

But always remember, your cats are different.  Find a vet who knows this
and develop a relationship with him or her.  Let them get to know your
cattery and your individual needs.  Find a vet who will guide you in
analyzing what is best for your cattery.  Don't be the first to jump on
the bandwagon when a new vaccine comes out.  You may be in for an
unpleasant surprise.

FELINERs:

Sorry for the delay, but here is the last installment of the FIP article
started in note .38.  The following are the references for the article.

Carl
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

References:  The New Vaccines

1.  Olsen, R.:  An Innovative Technique Produces a Feline Leukemia Virus
    Vaccine.  "Vet Med", Jan. 1985, pp. 61-64.
2.  Marciani, D. J., et al:  Genetically Engineered Subunit  Vaccine
    Against Feline Leukemia Virus:  Protective Immune Responses in Cats.
    "Vaccine", 9:89-96, 1991.
3.  Norden News, special edition:  Feline Leukemia.  Technical Communica-
    tions Department.  Norden Laboratories, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1985.
4.  Kott, B. E.:  Background Facts #3:  VacSYN/FeLV, Immunosuppressive
    Effects of FeLV Vaccine.  "Synbiotics", San Diego, CA, 1990.
5.  Hardy, W. D.:  The Virology, Immunology, and Epidemiology of the
    Feline Leukemia Virus.  "Feline Leukemia Virus", Elsevier/North Holland
    New York, 1980.
6.  Reinacher, M., and Thellen, G. T.:  Frequency and Significance of
    Feline Leukemia Virus Infection in Necropsied Cats.  "AJVR", 48:939-
    945, 1987.
7.  Bech-Nielsen, S., et al:  Feline Infectious Peritonitis and Viral
    Respiratory Diseases in Feline Leukemia Virus Infected Cats.  "JAAHA"
    17:759-765.
8.  Cotter, S. M., Golmore, C. E., and Rollins, C.:  Multiple Cases of
    Feline Leukemia and Feline Infectious Peritonitis in a Household.
    "JAVMA", 162:1054-1058.
9.  Hardy, W. D., and Hurvitz, A. I.:  Feline Infectious Peritonitis:
    Experimental Studies.  "JAVMA", 158:994-1002, 1971.
10. Cotter, S. M., et al:  Association of Feline Leukemia Virus with
    Lymphosarcoma and Other Disorders in the Cat.  "JAVMA", 166:449-454,
    1975.
11. Pederson, N. C., Johnson, L., and Ott, R. L.:  Evaluation of a
    Commercial Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine for Immunogenicity and
    Efficacy.  "Feline Pract.", 15:7-20, 1985.
12. Francis, D. and Esses, M.:  Epidemiology of Feline Leukemia.  "Feline
    Leukemia Virus", Elsevier/North Holland, 1980, pp.127-131.
13. Barlough, J. E. et al:  Feline Coronaviral Serology.  "Feline Pract",
    13(3):25-35, 1983.
14. Barlough, J. E. and Weiss, R. C.:  Feline Infectious Peritonitis.
    "Current Veterinary Therapy", Vol. VIII.  W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia,
    PA, 1983.
15. Pederson, N. C.:  Feline Husbandry:  Diseases and Management in the
    Multiple-Cat Environment.  American Veterinary Publications, Coleta,
    CA, 1991.
16. Pederson, N. C.:  "Coronavirus", Vol. 28, Plenum Press, NY, NY, 1987.
17. Stoddard, C. A. and Scott, F. W.:  Intrinsic Resistance of Feline
    Peritoneal Macrophages to Coronavirus Infection Correlates Well.
    "Vivo Virulance".
18. Potkay, S. et al:  Feline Infectious Peritonitis in a Closed Breeding
    Colony.  "Lab. Animal Science", 24:279-289, 1974.
19. Pederson, N. C.:  Feline Infectious Peritonitis:  Something Old,
    Something New.  "Feline Practice", 6(3):42-51, 1976.
20. Calculation, as per "Cat Fanciers Almanac", March 1992.  72,525 pure-
    bred cats were registered in 1991; 84,729 in 1990.  Average approx.
    80,000 per annum.  Multiply by average lifespan of ten years = approx.
    800,000 purebred cats.  As per UPI statistics, 57 million cats in US
    households.  This calculates to 1.4% of all cats are CFA registered.
    Assume up to 2/3 of all registerable kittens are not registered to
    obtain higher range given.
21. "Cat World International", Norden Laboratories, letter to the editor.
22. Osterhaus, A. et al:  Seriological Responses in Cats Vaccinated with
    FELV ISCOM and an Inactivated Vaccine.  "Vaccine", 7:137-140, 1989.
23. Gerger, J. et al:  Protection Against Feline Infectious Peritonitis
    by Intranasal Innoculation of a Temperature Sensitive FIFV Vaccine.
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24. Weiss, R. C. and Scott, F. W.:  Antibody-Medicated Enhancement of
    Disease in Feline Infectious Peritonitis:  Comparisons with Dengue
    Hemorrahagic Fever.  "Comp. Immunol. Microbiol. Infect. Dis.",
    4:175-189, 1981.
25. Pederson, N. C. and Black, J. W.:  Attempted Immunization of Cats
    Against Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Using Avirulent Live Virus or
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26. Pederson, N. C.:  Coronavirus Diseases (Coronavirus Enteritis, Feline
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27. Scott, F. W., Corapi, W. V., and Olsen, C. W.:  Evaluation of the
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    Antibody Responses to Virulent and Avirulent Feline Infectious
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    1534.
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    1991.
31. Hardy, W. D., et al:  Horizontal Transmission of Feline Leukemia
    Virus.  "Nature", 244:266-269, 1973.
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    Leukemia Virus Infection.  "American Journal of Veterinary Research",
    38:1523-1531.

(Whew!!)

    Carl,
    I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Susan Cotter at the Tufts 
    Feline Symposium this past weekend.  She gave the talk on FIP, she
    is also listed as one of the contributors referenced above.  People I 
    have talked to think very highly of her.
    
    The rest of the symposium went rather well too!  I will place in here
    some info later if I can.
    Karen

    Carl,  Just want to say thanks for typing all that information in.
    The more info we can share the more it will benefit our kitties.
   
    I found the article very interesting even though some of the info
    does not match my experiences with my own cats and/or the shelter
    cats.   Specifically I have noticed that most of our Feluk positive
    cats end up finally passing away because of kidney failure and I
    don't believe we have seen any cases of Feluk related to FIP.
    
    Thanks again....
    
    Sandy
    

RE .42

>    The rest of the symposium went rather well too!  I will place in here
>    some info later if I can.

Karen, please do.  I'm interested in any information I can get my hands on.
I've not read Ms. Cotter's article.  One of the vets I've been speaking
with lately is trying to dig it out of back copies of JAVMA.  If he finds
it and if the plug doesn't get pulled here on my end, I'll post any info
I find here.

RE .43

>    I found the article very interesting even though some of the info
>    does not match my experiences with my own cats and/or the shelter
>    cats.   Specifically I have noticed that most of our Feluk positive
>    cats end up finally passing away because of kidney failure and I
>    don't believe we have seen any cases of Feluk related to FIP.

In Ms. Shelton's article, she says "Most cats infected experimentally
with FeLV end up with FIP being listed as the actual cause of death."
Both of the vets I've been talking to lately about FIP (I sent them copies
of Ms. Shelton's article) are aware of this phenomenon, but say that
actual experience outside of experimental laboratory situations is often
quite different.  None of the literature they've read or studied offer
any conclusive explanations for the difference.

Ms. Shelton goes on to say "At least half of all clinically ill FIP cats
in the field are also positive for FeLV."  But the reference she cites
(reference 12 in note .41) is, according to the two vets I've been talking
to, only one of many studies.  And the studies have up to this point
failed to find a consensus.

Both vets feel that Ms. Shelton makes a strong case against the efficacy
of the FIP vaccine.  Neither vet prescribes it as a general rule.  But
they feel that she fails to prove her conjecture that either the FeLV
vaccine or its administration provoke a negative immunological response
any different or worse than any other stress or trauma might cause.  In
short, there is no evidence to suggest that the FeLV vaccine can in any
way faciliate the exposure to or contraction of FIP.

One of the vets is a "normal" vet (for lack of a better word) and the
other vet is practically breeder/cattery exclusive.  The "normal" vet
prescribes the FeLV vaccine for all kitties, but the other vet never
prescribes it.  Her rationale is that purebred kitties tend not to be
exposed to other cats generally and that administering the FeLV vaccine
is not warranted as a result.

Both vets agree with my assessment of little Joe Mao's demise:  he was
probably exposed to the FIP coronavirus in the cattery where he was
born, most likely from the birth mother, but possibly from another cat.
As Joe was born with an abcess and required veterinary treatment at an
early age, the ensuing stress and trauma likely allowed the FIP virus
to get a foothold.  Joe's immune system could never get strong enough to
allow him to shed the virus, and when he later came down with an URI, the
FIP was able to spread further.  The FeLV vaccine had little, if anything
to do with Joe's death.

The biopsy we had done on Joe showed that the FIP was as advanced a case as
any of the three vets at that practice had ever seen.  One was surprised
that he had not died as a result of the advanced granuloma they found
covering every organ and the abdominal cavity lining.  The vets estimated
that it would have taken at least 2-3 months to achieve that level of lesion
growth.  They attributed his longevity to the megadoses of antibiotics we
had been treating his URI with.

Both vets I've been talking with recently criticize Ms. Shelton for her
amateurish writing style and say that if she wants to be taken seriously
she'll have to do better.  Both of them also make the point that Ms.
Shelton is an emminently qualified lab and research technician, but is not
a doctor of veterinary medicine or sciences and question her qualifications
to make the claims she does.  But they both recommend reading her article
for the contrarian position it takes and for the lip service she pays to
the references she cites.  Both vets are passing the article around to
their colleagues.

FYI, the "normal" vet is where we were taking Joe Mao for his regular vet
checkups and to treat his URI.  We continue to take all our cats to him for
their veterinary needs.  When Joe's condition deteriorated, one of the
breeders in our cat club (Havana Brown Fanciers) recommended that we take
Joe to her vet, who ostensibly was more familiar with diseases and treat-
ments associated with purebred cats.  She concurred with all the diagnoses
and treatments prescribed by the first vet, so the second opinion did not
offer any new hope.

Based on all my reading and conversations with veterinarians, this is what
is known about FIP:

   * it is one of many coronaviruses that kitties, especially those in
     multi-cat environments, can, and probably are, exposed to

   * kitties with negative immunological responses appear to be most at
     risk

   * there appears to be three types of kitties as far as FIP is concerned
     - virus shedders, able to shed the virus immediately upon being
       exposed to it
     - virus carriers, not able to shed the virus, possibly due to a
       partially weakened immunological response, but able to expose
       other kitties to it without actually contracting the disease
     - virus infected, contracts the disease and dies from complications

   * there is no method of conclusively testing for FIP, although blood
     tests and biopsies are often performed, they offer no certainties

   * the FIP vaccine is NOT proven to be effective, and there is much
     evidence to suggest this

The key words here are "appear" and "suggest", which should indicate that
much is not known about FIP and all that veterinary medicine can offer us
at the present time is conjectures and little else.

For me it's a very sad subject.  Little Joe Mao touched and continues to
touch my life in many ways.  I treasure his memory and will probably
mourn his loss from here on out.  It is in his memory that I try to learn
as much about FIP as I possibly can and pass what I learn on to others.

Carl

    Hi Carl,
    If you give me your address I will send you my notes and the notes from
    the lectures.  According to Susan Cotter, there are no tests, they
    don't know if there are carriers.  Necropsy or biobsy is the only
    definitive test.  A lot was said aside from the actual handouts and I
    tried to write down as much as I could.  
    
    It appears that the vaccine under certain conditions can be helpful in
    one way.  Simply, if it is a possibility that fip is in a multi cat
    environment (not just for breeders mind you), if you vaccinate it will
    challenge the cats into either breaking with the disease or not. 
    Perhaps this could help someone cull.  I don't know myself what to
    think.  The vaccine WILL give a titer.  So just throw that test out the
    window now!!!  
    Support the FIP Symposium in CA!  This is one way that the Winn
    foundation can get all the important people together to discuss the
    disease.  If it goes well, in the future Winn might be able to tell the
    researchers what to study and not vice versa.
    Karen
    

    Karen:
    
    I would love to get copies of any handouts and notes from the
    symposium you attended.  My complete info can be found in reply
    38.332 here in FELINE notes conference.  Thank you for your offer
    to send it to me.
    
    Our cat club (Havana Brown Fanciers) has decided to make a donation
    to the FIP symposium at UC Davis.  I'll be glad to send to you copies
    of any papers or notes we collect.
    
    Carl

    Carl,
    that sounds like a good trade off!  I'll look up your address.  I
    won't get in the mail til next week.  It is at home and I will have to
    bring it in to copy.
    Karen