Orion

Nursing Care - Hygiene - Breeding Considerations - Furthermore

Orion Fights Back

Orion fights back!

The following recommendations are a synthesis of breeder experience and published research. There is disagreement between breeders, veterinarians, and researchers about the level of their effectiveness. We all have the best interest of our feline friends at heart, therefore, these recommendations are presented in good faith as our best response in the cattery to FIP. For detailed information and discussion of these suggested measures, join an Orion Foundation sponsored email list.

Nursing Care –

1) Isolate the sick. Caging and barrier nursing procedures should be employed with any possible FIP candidate. Move immediately to safeguard the most vulnerable in the cattery, its kittens. Isolate kittens from adults and litters from each other. Begin early weaning protocols immediately (kittens between 3-5 weeks of age).

2) Do not euthanize cats based on Corona titers. FIP is a complex disease and can mimic many diseases from URI (Upper Respiratory Infection) to IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease). Employ sound diagnostic measures arriving at a presumptive diagnosis of FIP by process of elimination.

3) Verify FIP through histopathology. Simply necropsy is not enough. Microscopic evaluation of tissue from biopsy or necropsy by a trained pathologist is considered the only diagnostic proof of FIP. Where available request immunoperoxidase examination of tissue to verify presence of Corona virus in suspect tissue.

4) Monitor Corona virus activity through Corona/FIP titer surveillance. Titers can provide feedback on corona virus transmission and the success or failure of efforts to control it within the cattery. But to be useful, choose an accurate, highly sensitive titer test which can assess titers of very low values such as that offered by Cornell University Diagnostic Laboratory. Recently RT-PCR tests have become available through a number of commercial laboratories. Offerings of RT-PCR fecal shedding tests must be done monthly for seven consecutive months to effectively clear any cat from the chronic shedding category and must be directed towards all Corona virus strains for this purpose. For advice on how to use titer methodology effectively, and whether or not to invest in RT-PCR fecal shedding methodology within your group of cats, go to fip@yahoogroups.com.

5) Reconsider use of FIP vaccine - While use of the Primucell vaccine is controversial, there is ample evidence that it is safe and some breeders swear by its efficacy in their catteries. For discussion of best use of vaccine during an epidemic, contact the FIP email list.

Hygiene -

1) Clean and disinfect litter boxes. Wherever possible use separate litter boxes (no less than 1 for every 2 cats) with separate scoops per litter box. Bleach or otherwise disinfect the litter boxes, vicinities, and scoops (daily for the scoops). The more frequently you eliminate fecal matter and urine, the less opportunity for viral exposure.

2) Use a non-dust litter (such as newspaper or wood products.) and litter boxes that are large and deep.

3) Use discretion when using chemicals around cats. Whether it is disinfectant, deodorant, shampoos, antibiotics, immune boosters, etc., misuse or abuse can compromise a cats natural immunity and its ability to mount a healthy immune response. These adjuncts will never replace soap and water and sound genetics.

Breeding considerations –

1) Stop breeding. If you have more then 1 FIP case, you should halt breeding until you have instituted all the control procedures. Young kittens are the most susceptible to the disease and will perpetuate the virus within the cattery just as they do any other pathogen.

2) Invoke a temporary quarantine. Until you have assessed your cattery health in regards to Corona virus, act responsibly towards your fellow breeders: stop showing and accepting cats in or sending cats out for breeding. While the "infectious” part of Feline Infectious Peritonitis is still disputed in the laboratory, some strains of the disease may well be contagious. Err on the side of caution.

3) Stop corona virus transmission cycle. Keep litters separated and wean kittens early between 3 and 5 weeks of age. Maintain adult cats in small discrete groups (under 5 cats-the fewer, the faster the titers will decline). Employ sound hygiene management with litter boxes. These methods can reduce viral loads substantially and eventually return them to zero, and can help isolate the chronic shedders.

4) Assess numbers. If a queen or stud has consistently produced FIP kittens, alter and place out. Keep number of litters on ground limited to those you can handle and house separately. Keep only breeding animals you can house in discrete small groups and who have consistently good health. Remember there is significant increase in frequency of FIP in catteries with over 10 breeding cats.

5) Alter all cats and kittens that leave the cattery as pets. Perform all vaccinations and any surgical procedure while the kitten is still in cattery care. This lowers incidence in pet homes of FIP brought on through surgical or vaccination stress.

6) "Strive" to keep the viral load DOWN. Using all the above methodologies to derive and effectively maintain a low-Corona virus (or ideally, Corona virus negative cattery). The goal is to keep the challenge level of virus so low that the natural immune response in cats can eliminate it. By quarantine and retesting of visiting and new acquisitions, identification and isolation or removal of chronic shedders, discreet small grouping of cats, and testing of queens so that only negative mothers raise kittens, this goal can be met. Note that the elimination of Corona virus has been found by breeders to be generally beneficial to the overall health of cats.

Furthermore -

1) Educate kitten buyers about FIP. Guarantee replacement of kitten from loss to FIP. Set up parameters for proof of diagnosis and a reasonable time frame for disease development in your contract.

2) Afford sympathy and share grief of pet loss with owner. Do not blame others for FIP in your cat, or shame yourself or others when FIP strikes. These emotions damage our relationships with pet owners, fellow breeders and the veterinary and research community, by perpetuating the code of secrecy and preventing information and solace from reaching those who need it.

3) Educate yourself. While there is still much to be learned about FIP, we owe it to ourselves, our pet buyers, and our cats, to keep current on all developments. (Note: a good place to start is in our LINKS section.)

4) Work closely and in cooperation with veterinarians. We need them on our side if we are to do good for our cats.

5) Join a FIP email list. It is not just for people who have had an incidence of FIP, but for anyone interested in preventing the disease and in discussion of experiences and sound husbandry practices..