Coronavirus

[Willowy]

I have read that some vets recommend putting down a cat because of coronavirus. Our vet said he could live a perfectly normal life with it.

On a different forum, not even about cats, one poster said that her vet would test cats routinely and pressure the family to put them down if they tested positive. She had been through 3 sets of kittens from different sources and had just paid big bucks for 2 purebred kittens, they also tested positive and she didn't want to put them down because they cost so much. I thought, jeez, either her vet doesn't know anything about cats or he hates them and just wants to get rid of as many as possible :/. He'd end up putting down 80%-90% of his feline patients!

 

[foxxycat]

that's so sad...

 

[veronica00]

I just got the test results from Charlie and Lulu's blood tests.

Charlie is completely negative
Lulu is a very weak positive at the 1:400 level

The vet seemed to think that she may have had the virus as a kitten and just carried antibodies but no longer carries the virus. But I read that level would be 1:25. My vet thought 1:400 was the lowest level so she is going to call the lab and get back to me.

Does anyone know anything about these levels? Could it be she was just recently infected? Lulu is my healthiest cat at 5 years old with the most normal poop of the 3.

 

[AbbysMom]

According to this article : Feline Infectious Peritonitis/Feline Coronavirus (FIP/FCoV) - UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program

The only method to detect shedders is PCR analysis of feces. A minimum of three samples obtained a month apart are recommended to consider a cat a negative shedder. Most often no clinical signs of FCoV infection are seen; mild diarrhea or respiratory signs may occur but will generally be indistinguishable from other common illnesses in feline populations.

Charlie may not be truly negative.

 

[veronica00]

What you quoted is testing to see if a cat is currently SHEDDING.

He tested FCOV NEGATIVE. He had no antibodies in his blood stream...

 

[weemomma]

http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/docu...)_and_Feline_Infectious_Peritonitis_(FIP).pdf

This is U.K. website but it might answer some questions you have!

 

[missmindy]

My cat's blood test (titer) was much higher than 1:400. I can't remember the exact numbers (I tried looking in her reports but I don't think I got the "technical" lab reports), but it was described as a very strong positive. My vet and specialist said the same thing-she could have been exposed years ago (she's 8) and just carries the antibodies. I believe the specialist also told me that exposure was exposure-the ratio just indicated the immune response and level of antibodies and not active infection. I have had her for 3 years and she has had no contact with other cats during that time, so I'm estimating her exposure was at least before the age of 5-or she picked it up at the shelter before I adopted her. For what it's worth I was FAR more stressed out about it than any of the doctors were.

I know the concern here is transmission amongst all of the kitties. I'm wondering if it would help ease your mind to consult with a specialist who works with infectious diseases? I understand the concern

 

[veronica00]

missmindy thank you for that info. I don't know how I would find such a specialist. For sure the vets I've talked to don't know much about it.

Does anyone know, is it possible for a cat to live with a coronavirus positive cat sharing everything and not get the virus?

 

[weemomma]

From everything that I’ve read, it states that as long as you are diligent about cleaning food bowls, litter boxes, and shared spaces, the chances are greatly reduced. It also sounds as if the older the animal, the less likely they are to contract something serious.

 

[veronica00]

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is not what might happen in the future but is it possible that Lulu and Charlie lived together for 2.5 years sharing food and water bowls and litter boxes and not have passed it?

 

[missmindy]

You are very welcome. The Specialist I went to was in a large specialty practice for internal medicine, neurology, oncology etc.

This article may help you. I subscribe to this monthly newsletter. It is put out by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. They do not even recommend testing/separating for Coronavirus even when a cat in the house has developed an active FIP infection. It also mentions what one of the previous posters said about keeping food bowls and litter boxes super clean.

Should Cats With Coronavirus Be Separated? - CatWatch Newsletter Article

 

[weemomma]

It’s very possible. If Lulu has been a carrier and Charlie has not caught it, then it’s likely he won’t.

Honestly, it’s a game of maybes and what ifs. And it’s sucks. I’ve been in your shoes. I still don’t know what caused my William to die nor what caused Hariette to get histoplasmosis. I worried for years that she or my other animals would get it again. It’s terrible and paralyzing. And you’re doing everything you can to ease your worry. It’s entirely possible that you might hit the bad luck lottery, but I don’t think it’s entirely plausible.

 

[veronica00]

I've spent the last few days just researching and trying to find more info. It turns out the test my vet sent out was to test for high antibodies. There is another test for just exposure which I should get results on today.

So Charlie tested negative on a 1:400 test and Lulu tested positive on a 1:400 test but negative on 1:1600. The vet clearly knew nothing of the testing as she said Charlie was completely negative and Lulu was as low as she could test. Obviously this was incorrect, Lulu is not at the lowest level and Charlie could still be positive at levels below 1:400.

Charlie's stool came back negative and I will get the result of Lulu's on Tuesday. I am right now keeping Lulu isolated from Charlie.

Does anyone know much about this virus and testing techniques?

1. Is it possible to show up positive within 2 weeks of "exposure"? (Exposure being ME going in and out of the room of the infected cat) or 1 week of him coming out of his room 3 times and possibly tracking litter. No sharing of boxes, food or water?
2. Are cats only contagious when shedding (in stool)? If Lulu was recently exposed, should she be shedding? (Waiting on her PCR due Tuesday)
3. I had read antibody levels (titers) can cycle, is this true?

Sorry for so much info, I am so hyper protective of Charlie since his brother's painful passing. Life has been turned upside down.