fip
From: Niels C. Pedersen To: charmaine Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 8:38 PMSubject: Re: Fw: Ausie - FIP positiveDear Charmaine: I seem not to have made myself clear. The virus, its FIP mutant form, can indeed exist in the body form months, years and perhaps a lifetime. Whether this is in all cats that have been infected with the mutant virus, or only some, we do not know. This is not a strange phenomenon, and it occurs in our own bodies with many viruses and bacteria (think just about the herpesviruses - simplex, and zoster). In certain individuals the virus may actually be completely eliminated, but this would take a very strong and specific type of immune response. This is where the genetic component comes in, because if the genetics favor a weak immune response the individual will die, if it favors a strong immune response, it may be contained, and if it develops a super strong immune rsponse, it may be eliminated. The fact that you cat developed ! FIP, indicates that it probably inherited less favorable genetics, but we do not yet know whether the genetic factors are complex (i.e., involve multiple genes) or are simple (involve a single gene). We do not know whether the resistance factors are dominant or recessive, although we know that just eliminating certain toms will lessen the incidence even though the queens may also be susceptible. This indicates that resistance might be dominant, but we are not sure. I hope that his clarifies what I said earlier. -Dr. PedersenAt 04:11 AM 2/18/2008, you wrote:Dear Dr. Pedersen,Thank you for taking the time to reply to my mail. You have certainly clarified things for me but I would like you to explain further i.e. " This supports what we know about the infection - it can be contained in the body by the immune system for long periods of time but not eliminated" I am confused by this especially by the word eliminated how would it get ride of the virus? Do you mean that it is ! contained by the immune system and then mutates into FIP? You say that the genetic component for this disease is at least 50% does this then mean that my cat has inherited the genetic link from his parents and then would pass it onto his offspring? Kind regardsCharmaine----- Original Message ----- From: Niels C. Pedersen To: charmaine Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 12:25 AMSubject: Re: Fw: Ausie - FIP positiveDear Charmaine: It is difficult to confirm a diagnosis over an e.mail, but I do know that some cats with wet FIP may live for several months or more in an almost normal state, before going into a terminal decline. I cannot explain why it is, but I have seen it enough to know that it can occur. The sticky, yellow tinged fluid, with high protein and containing a mixture of macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes are virtually diagnostic, because there is no other disease (with the possible exception of a very rare form of abdominal cancer) that has fluid of this type. We usually feel that FIP is uniformly fatal, but I have seen! several cats start out with wet FIP and than develop the more chronic dry form of the disease. This progression indicates that the cat is developing more immunity to the infection than most. We also know that many cats are infected and build up protective immunity almost immediately, and never are ill. I suspect that your cat is fighting the infection - my guess is that he developed wet FIP, but the disease is now going into the dry form. Cats with the dry form will live longer and because they are developing some immunity, but the odds are that the immunity will not be enough in the end. I have observed two cats that went through this progression and were healthy two years later and I assumed that they were healed. Both re-developed dry or wet FIP at 3-4 years and died. This supports what we know about the infection - it can be contained in the body by the immune system for long periods of time but not eliminated. This is reminiscent of TB in people. I would suggest that you co! ntinue to go with the flow, because whatever will happen, will happen, despite anything you might do. I would never suggest euthanizing a cat, even with FIP, as long as it looks and acts fairly normal or normal. Miracles do happen, but they can't happen unless they are allowed to happen. In short, I would not arugue with the diagnosis of FIP, but I would let the disease take its course. As for breeding the cat, I would not do so even if he were to make an outward recovery. The genetic component for this disease is at least 50%. Good luck, and I hope I have clarified things more than muddied them. sincerely, N. C. PedersenAt 09:00 AM 2/14/2008, you wrote:Dear Dr. Pedersen,I was advised to contact you through a FIP group that I belong to.To give you a brief description of myself: I am a breeder working with Persians. I have been breeding for 9 years. My cats are kept in groups of 2 to 3 and I have never experienced FIP in my Cattery before.I have a 2.4 year old male who has been diagnosed with FIP I imported him from Australia. In October ! last year I noticed that he was losing a little weight. I was not unduly concerned as I put it down to hormones as he was reaching the age where he would start working soon. Sometime in November I notice a swelling of his belly. I took him to a Vet who immediately advised me that he had FIP. Aussie had a temprature of 40.6 degrees. The Vet put him on a course of Baytril and gave me some Duretics. He injected him with vitamin B and a Duretic. Aussie's had eaten very well untill then. He did not eat for 5 days after my visit to the Vet. I took him back and his temprature had come down to 36.5. His belly had also decreased in size. I was given more Baytril and more Duretic.. He started to eat very well and his temprature was stable. I took him to see my regular Vet - who had been away as I felt I wanted a second opinion. My Vet drained some effusion from his belly sent it away to the lab. The results where not conclusive for FIP. although the effusion was straw coloured and sticky. ! My Vet advised me that he was 95.5% sure it was FIP and it would be best to euthanase him. I then took him for a third opinion. The results of which you can see below.My confussion in all of this is the condition of Aussie. He remains healthy, eats very well and behaves like any "normal cat" It is 3 1/2 weeks since my last Vet visit. His temprature has remained normal and no fluid build up has occured. He has a glossy shiny coat but is thin. Dr Wimberley advised me that he would have a month to live.He also did a Abdominal Ultrasonography to check his liver - which is normal.I apologise for the long email.RegardsCharmaine----- Original Message ----- From: S Wimberley To: charmaineturner@telkomsa.net Cc: Jane Fraser Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 8:50 PMSubject: Ausie - FIP positiveHi CharmaineI have got all the results in and I'm afraid that it is 99.9% certain that poor Aussie has FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis). The table of points is as follows: (! From Niels Pederson - UCLA Davis)1) Persistant spiking fever, resistant to antibiotics 10pts2) Abdominal effusion 103)Effusion yellow, high protein, moderate numbersof macrophages - 5 times sign 2 504)Elevated serun globulin 105)Characterisitic electrophoresis 15Total points 95if cat comes from a purebred cattery or large multiple cat household multiply points by 3 = 285 points.Point scoring: <75 - doubtful to be FIP75 - 200 - suspicious>200 points - highly likely to be FIP.Because FIP has a genetic link we do not recommend affected cats are used for mating , and the mating that produce affected cats should not be repeated. Hope thid is helpfulregardsSteve Wimberle
News from Dr Pedersen
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
