coronavirus - looking for info on healthy cats who test positive (kittens, feline)

[greg42]

This is a shot in the dark. Maybe someone can point me to some info I've had trouble locating.

We are planning to adopt a couple cats who happen to have been tested and shown positive to shed coronavirus. At the shelter they said that cats aren't typically tested unless they once came from hoarding scenarios or some other suspicions. Apparently these two may have been tested because the cats were there as kittens, but they are now 4 1/2 years old and healthy otherwise. They suggested that if they tested every cat in the place it's likely plenty of the others would show positive.

But when I go searching for info, pretty much all info is about what happens when coronavirus mutates to FIP. My understanding is this is pretty unlikely for a healthy adult cat, that its biggest risk would be in kittens and perhaps in an older cat that was otherwise sick.

Based on that, we are not particularly deterred from adopting this pair. It's all well and good that we take on something that others aren't willing to take on. (They're also a little shy and all black, three strikes and stuck in the shelter for 6 months, and this is their third go in there after having a "move away" home and an "allergies" home, not apparently any significant behavioral issue.)

But I would like to find more info on what to expect going forward and what I might need to worry about as they get older. In other words, I'd like to see general info on feline coronavirus carriers and not only how it relates to FIP. But what I keep finding tends to be almost entirely about FIP and not about living for several years with a coronavirus positive cat.

Anyone have a good source or firsthand knowledge?

[greg42]

Just to update this should anyone else find it (and darned if it doesn't come up high in Google rankings even with no replies).

This was an interesting tidbit I finally found, a vet answering someone's query about a coronavirus-positive cat. Should I buy a coronavirus positive cat? | Veterinary Virology

Here's a vet saying greater than 70% of cats are positive for exposure: JustAnswer

I found further confirmation that disease happening is most common at age under 18 months or over 12 years.

There is no way to predict for sure if any positive testing cat will develop FIP or not.

Some of these are from this source: Feline Infectious Peritonitis/Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FIP/FECV) | UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program

It also says that disease typically develops anywhere from a few weeks to 18 months after infection. These guys were known positive when under 1 year old, and they're still here at 4 years. So that would seem to be a good sign.

They are in our house at this point so it's just data for reassurance not for weighing whether or not to get them.

[ouijeewoman]

Thank you for sharing this important information.

I'm glad to hear that you have adopted these cats. I wish them and YOU the best of luck!

[leanansidhex]

I just got back to CD and saw your post. I have direct experience with your situation.

Two years after adopting Alfredo he became ill. Blood work showed non- regenerative anemia and potassium deficiency. I will have to find the paperwork later tonight to get the results of his "FIP" coronavirus test, but due to those results and Alfredo's other symptoms, my vet felt that Alfredo most likely had FIP and would die soon. The day I was going to start him on an experimental drug, he coughed up a Huge hair ball.

Alfredo is still here, his anemia most likely the result of blood loss from an ulcer caused by hair balls. A condition he presented with the day I adopted him. Symptoms his other vets ignored, or, told me, in so many words, was all in my head.

(This next paragraph is MY IMPRESSION - close to, but NOT NECESSARILY entirely correct)
FIP is a singular, swift and deadly disease. As of now there is no proven cure. An FIP titer is one of the few diagnostic tools available to the standard practicing vet. Other tests are expensive or, I believe, exclusive to specialists or the research facilities that create them.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis and Coronavirus Web Site

Conclusion: I, personally, wouldn't worry about the titer results in older, healthy cats.

[kittyrescuer7]

A positive coronavirus titer does not mean your cat will ever develop FIP. I work as a vet tech and I have 6 cats that are all positive with high titers...my oldest cat is 12 and my youngest is 6...all are fine and healthy. The most common signs you may see is occassional sneezing, runny nose or chronic diarrhea. I have had up to 10 cats and none on them died from FIP.

[Ethereal]

This thread, I believe, will be appropriate today.

[catsmom21]

Originally Posted by Ethereal

This thread, I believe, will be appropriate today.

Not really. Feline coronavirus is not the same virus as covid-19, and does not affect humans.

[JimmieOChutt]

My friend as a Spnyx kennel. All cats have anybodies for coronavirus. It is not likely that cat with antibodies will develop malignant form, so called Fip. I think there are many many animals with positive titar for Corona. It means they were in contact with the virus but did not develop the disease.

[CraigCreek]

It should be noted that there are many, many coronaviruses, most of which are far less lethal than Covid-19.

This is an old thread - readers should be aware of that, and that the feline coronavirus mentioned by the OP is not Covid-19.

OP, if you're still here, I am so glad you adopted those sweet kitties! May they and you live long and prosper.

[jbgusa]

Originally Posted by CraigCreek

It should be noted that there are many, many coronaviruses, most of which are far less lethal than Covid-19.

I started COVID-19 & Felines - Socially Distance Cats or We're Wasting a Lot More Than Time! This one is about cats and Covid 19. My point is, and remains, that a lot of Covid restrictions are theater. I join in CraigCreek's admiration for the OP's pet adoptions but cannot rep CraigCreek. I will rep the OP.