Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
is passed through oral or nasal contact with feces infected with feline
enteric corona virus (FECV), a common virus, which then mutates in
certain individuals to become FIP. A mutation is a change in the virus's
genetic code.Transmission may also occur from a queen to her kittens.
Circumstances that may influence whether or not FECV mutates to
FIP are:
Age of cat (most susceptible cats are less than one year old)
Breed of cat
Genetics
General health
Immune status
Environmental stresses
On its own, FECV is not a life-threatening virus, but it can cause
diarrhea and is contagious among cats. In some catteries and multicat
households, every cat will have an antibody titer (which indicates
exposure) to a feline corona virus.This corona virus titer test does not
differentiate between FECV and FIP, so it is not a reliable screening
test.This, in turn, makes assessing protection from vaccination difficult.
The efficacy of the FIP vaccine has been controversial, because some
studies show that it offers some protection against the disease and oth-
ers fail to demonstrate significant protection. The AAFP report states
that since the vaccine has not yet been proven to be beneficial, it is not
recommended. Fortunately, the incidence of FIP in pet households
is low.
The AAFP panel was unable to come to a consensus regarding what
constitutes an “at-risk” cat. One at-risk category would be cats in
households where FIP has previously been diagnosed, and vaccination
in that situation could protect cats who have not already been exposed.
This vaccine is administered initially in two doses, three to four
weeks apart in cats over 16 weeks, and then boosters are given annual-
ly. FIP vaccine is only available in an intranasal form.
Bordetella
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that is better known for causing
kennel cough in dogs. It has been cultured from cats with upper respi-
ratory infections and also in cases of pneumonia.Within the veterinary
community there is debate as to the necessity for this vaccine, because
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