posted 01-14-2004 03:34 PM         

We lost our Sunshine last Thursday to FIP. She had fever for over 2 weeks, developed a swollen belly and her blood test suggested failing liver functions etc...The doctor said it's highly likely a diffusive FIP, but also small chance of obsctructed gastrointestinal duct which causes inflammation and leaking of fluid into abdomen. So we agreed that they perform a procedure to open her belly up, get it fixed if it's an obstruction, or put her down while she's still sleeping if it's FIP. The doctor said it turned out to be FIP and they euthenized her.

Now our other cat, Bobby, looks and behaves normally except we are still fighting with her fungus skin problem, which has become a lesser worry for us right now. Since FIP is infectious and we only quarenteened Sunshine after she got the fever (she was kept in a seperate room with her own food dishes and litter box), I wonder what is the chance that Bobby has been infected too, and is there any kind of test that we could do to see if she's infected? According to the doctor, there's no reliable tests for this,all the tests can find out is the Feline Enteric Coronal Virus which could develop into FIP, but it's no helpful information since our kitties came from a shelter, most cats from shelter carry FECoV but not all would develop into FIP.

Also what kind of cleaning procedure is appropriate? We got rid of Sunshine's bed and toys, mopped the whole floor with diluted bleach (I hope it's not toxic for cats), and disinfected the litterbox with medical alcohol(not bleach cause we are afraid Bobby would not like the smell and refuse to use the litterbox). What furthur actions should we take to get rid of the virus from our home?

Also we are giving Bobby vitamins and 500mg Lysine each day, cause the vet told us before that Lysine improves the immune system but she wasn't talking about FIP back then. Would it be effective in preventing FIP? Is there any long-term side effect of taking Lysine?

posted 01-14-2004 06:14 PM         

As for cleaning the litter box. I believe boiling water is the best (that's just my opinion). I'm sure there are other ways of cleaning it that are just as effective.

posted 01-14-2004 10:56 PM         

I do not have any experince with the situation you desciribed, but my 2 cents is that you've done everything just right.