Hi,

There is excellent info posted here but I thought I would add a couple of things.

There is a fairly new test for FIP, a PCR test, and it's much more accurate, but it is only run if fluid is withdrawn from the chest and/or abdomen in cats suspected of having FIP. Not all cats that have FIP have fluid, but most do.

The standard FIP test is useless, and a positive result means very little. In fact, 3 years ago I adopted a cat positive for FIP, knowing that she didn't have the disease. I didn't hesitate bringing her into my multi-cat home, and she is totally healthy.

A very small number of FIP cats will test positive for the disease (with the regular blood test) but they will also have a the 2 major clinical signs of FIP. These are: persistant fever and thick fluid buildup in the chest and/or abdomen (although there is a rare,"dry" form). The only 100% way to diagnose FIP is by doing a necropsy after the cat has passed away. There are characteristic white spots (called plaques) on the organs.

I seriously doubt that the mother or her babies have FIP and am very glad that you didn't have the babies put to sleep.

Take care,
AshleyElla

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