Any vets or vet students on CSn?

[Harri]

I super-duper need some advice. I've done so much research, but everything is either this or that.

I just heard back from my Vet about my kitten's blood tests. She has a 1:6400 titer count, and the vet is saying that she might have FIP. My cat has had some diarrhea; it comes and goes. She had it consistently when I had her on Purina. I changed her diet to Wellness dry food. The diarrhea is gone. She sometimes gets diarrhea when she gets human food on her paws from jumping in our dinner plates (I am still training her).

I hate that the word FIP is thrown around. My cat seems very healthy. She drinks from her pet fountain frequently. She plays a lot. She is social. The vet said we would do another blood test to see if her titer count increases. They suggested I bring her back to my breeder.

I'm being hard-headed. I refuse to put my cat down for some test. How reliable are titer tests? I'm not going to put an otherwise healthy cat down. I refuse!

I know that Bengals have sensitive stomachs. Can I attribute the 'sometimes' diarrhea to her tummy?

I can't lose another cat.

[Guy]

You change her food lately?

When I change my kitty's food she has foul smelling diarrhea... so I keep her on the same diet, even if I have to go to another store.
It is down right dreadful. Also, make sure the food bowl get washed often.

Also, make sure you don't use dish soap when cleaning the cat fountain, get some sanitizer or food safe cleaning solution.
The soap can cause the cats to have diarrhea too, just like humans.

[Harri]

Yeah. I changed her from Purina to Wellness. Almost a week ago. She had diarrhea from that, but it is now mostly cleared up.

Another big sign of FIP is big bellies. The are swollen from liquids. She doesn't have that. She has normal kitten belly.

[Guy]

She just might be growing, body changes and all that.

Get a second opinion from another vet... hell even a third opinion. Have the test done again.

[Harri]

She is growing. We've had her for almost a month and she has doubled in size.

Also, a sad thing that I found out in research-

But most unfortunate of all, these tests continue to carry the misnomer of “FIP titer” or “FIP test.” Many cats have been diagnosed and euthanized because a positive result on one of these was interpreted as proof of FIP, when all it meant was exposure to a Corona virus, ANY Corona virus, anywhere, anyplace, anytime. A healthy cat with a positive titer is still a healthy cat! A healthy cat shedding virus is still a healthy cat! Remember statistically only one out of ten Corona infections results in FIP.

Extract taken from here :- http://www.orionfoundation.com/moreinfo.htm

But, the first paragraph of that article freaks me out. Surely my cat wouldn't be playing, eating, and drinking if she had a very deadly disease.

[Guy]

Well besure to get other opinions before you even think of getting her euthanized, period.
I am sure she is fine.

[Harri]

Well besure to get other opinions before you even think of getting her euthanized, period.
I am sure she is fine.

I wouldn't even. I'll get multiple opinions before I decide to put her down. This isn't like my other cat. Ninja was very sick. She had already turned yellow and completely stopped eating. There was nothing I could do to save her. Absolution is healthy.

[HibiscusKazeneko]

I know there is a vaccine for FIP, but most vets are reluctant to give it. Has your kitten had it?