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My kitten was exposed to FIP. Should I test her if she has no signs?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed

Hi, my friend's cat has been diagnosed as FIP, and my kitten only had her first shot(not included FIP vaccine). They never shared food or litter box. It's already passed about two months and my kitten never showed any sign of FIP, so do I still need to do a FIP test to make sure she's all right? Because my future roommate has one cat that has 3 shots and one babycat that only has 1st shot.

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on November 20th, 2016

I'm sorry to hear that! FIP is a nasty disease in cats, so I definitely understand your worry. I will try to answer your questions and give you some basic information about how this disease works - it's a bit more complicated than most other infectious diseases!

FIP is caused by a coronavirus - coronaviruses themselves are extremely common in cats, and almost all kittens are exposed to them at some point. In a very few cats, the virus mutates into a much more dangerous form and causes FIP - this seems to be partly related to genetics, but it's not fully understood why this happens in some cats but not others. So although the coronavirus can be passed from cat to cat, FIP is not really considered to be a contagious disease because most cats who are exposed to a coronavirus will never develop the more dangerous, mutated form that leads to FIP.

So, the bottom line is that your kitten will probably be just fine. There isn't much you can do at this point, since there is no diagnostic test for FIP. Although a vaccine does exist, it isn't recommended by the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) because it hasn't been shown to be effective and can actually cause illness in some cases. I would recommend preventing your kitten from having any further contact with your friend's cat to be on the safe side, and monitoring your kitty for any signs of a problem - but it's very likely that she will be just fine :)
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    FIP can be transmitted via cat to cat contact via saliva, so if Tiger did have face to face contact with your friend's cat, then there is a chance she could have FIP. The virus can also live for weeks in the environment. Cats who have initially been exposed to FIP usually show no obvious symptoms, so she could currently have it even though she is showing no signs. I would recommend having an FIP test done her to make sure she is alright.

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    0Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Daniela Jessen, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 8th, 2019

    Just a little bit about FIP one of the most misunderstood and frustrating disease.
    It all start with a virus in cats called Feline Coronavirus. This virus usually doesn’t cause illness or if it does just a little diarrhea or intestinal inflammation. It is very common and most cats (up to 80% of cats have been exposed to it). Sometimes for reasons that we do not know this virus mutates or changes into FIP. The mutation that causes FIP is more likely to occur in immune compromised cats (kitten for example) . the FIP virus is not being passed once it mutates and is not contagious.
    So to sum up FIP is not contagious but it is a mutation of a contagious disease.
    The thing we can do is stop the contagious Coronaviruses, from which the FIP virus mutated, they are not very sturdy viruses and can be removed from the household environment by common household cleaners like bleach. There is no need to dispose of bowls, blankets and litter boxes since the dishwasher, clothes washer will decontaminate.
    I am sorry to hear about your little kitty FIP is a horrible disease but I wouldn't give up on the other one as I explained the FIP will not spread from one cat to another.

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    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Maria DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 30th, 2019

    FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) comes from the virus Coronavirus. What happens is Coronavirus mutates into a fatal FIP.

    There are two different types:
    1. The dry form which typically appears as a fever that resolves with fluids but comes back. Typically these cats can live for some time
    2. Wet form where they develop fluid build-up in their abdomen and chest and they can quickly go into liver failure.

    Just because your cat has Coronavirus does not mean they will get FIP. There is a test for Coronavirus but I have had a negative test and a positive FIP on necropsy so the test isn't the best.

    Most cats have Coronavirus, will they ever get FIP? Maybe, maybe not. It is a disease that is extremely frustrating. We don't even know if FIP is definitely contagious. Coronavirus is contagious but that doesn't mean that every cat that is positive for Coronavirus will develop FIP. We also know that some households can have 1 cat get FIP and then all of the cats while another may have one cat get FIP and no one else affected.

    I am sorry I cannot fully answer your question as FIP is a sad disease that we still don't have all the answers too.

    Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

    Published on June 29th, 2018

    I'm so very sorry to hear that Oliver has FIP. Unfortunately, FIP does not have any treatment and cats that contract the disease will die from it. However, the good news is that FIP is not contagious to other cats, so your other cats should not contract the disease. The disease is very complicated, but FIP is caused by a corona virus (which is contagious) and in some cats (we don't know why), that corona virus mutates into FIP. I am attaching more information about FIP below which may help explain everything in more detail for you.
    https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951549
    Any other cats that appear to be sick should certainly be evaluated by your veterinarian. Since all the cats have likely been exposed to corona virus, it certainly could mutate and cause FIP in one of them, but FIP is overall a fairly rare disease, so hopefully the other cats will be fine.
    I hope that was helpful and answers your questions. Thanks for using PetCoach.

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    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
Am I making a terrible mistake getting a new kitten after FIP death?
So FIP is technically from a virus, however, most cats are exposed at some point in their life (especially if from a cattery or shelter). However, only a select few will mutate to become FIP. We don’t know why this happens, or how to prevent it. Could it happen again? Yes. But very unlikely. I have been a veterinarian for 11 years and have only had 1 FIP kitten patient. I know it’s easier said then done to not worry. Sometimes I find it helpful to give myself some grieving time and my worries seem to be less the more “ready” I am for a new Pet. I’m so sorry about your kitten, and I hope your new addition is spunky and healthy for many many years!! Thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Can I pet sit a cat exposed to FIP without risking my own cats?
FIP is caused by a mutation of feline coronavirus and the disease itself is not contagious. Feline coronavirus is very contagious but in most cats will not cause symptoms or even will only cause mild diarrhea. Only 1-5% of cats with coronavirus will develop FIP. I think its fair to be cautious but the likelihood of your cat developing FIP is very low. If you prefer peace of mind then maybe consider helping your sister find another pet sitter.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My foster kitten had FIP. Are my cats at risk despite separation?
Hello. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Great question. I personally would not be worried about your cats contracting FIP. The coronavirus is found in the saliva and feces of infected cats. Therefore, cat-to-cat contact and exposure to feces in litter boxes are the most common modes of infection. Contaminated food or water dishes, bedding, and your clothing may also serve as sources of infection. It doesn't sound like this is a concern based on your description of how you separated the cats, washed your hands, etc. The coronavirus can live in the environment anywhere from 3-7 weeks. After 3 weeks, however, the number of virus particles present is probably too small to cause infection. Many disinfectants will kill the virus, including household bleach diluted 1:32 in water (1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water). So, you may want to do a thorough cleaning of the area where you housed the kittens and it may be best for you to not get any foster kittens for at least a month to try to prevent the new ones from getting infected. Hope this answers your questions. Best wishes.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
How long can a cat carry coronavirus, and is there a test for FIP?
Cats infected with a feline coronavirus generally do not show any symptoms during the initial viral infection, and an immune response occurs with the development of antiviral antibodies. In a small percent of infected cats (5 to 10 percent), either by a mutation of the virus or by an aberration of the immune response, the infection progresses into clinical FIP. Cats can become persistently infected and continuously or intermittently shed virus with the feces. One of the most difficult aspects of FIP is that there is no simple diagnostic test. The ELISA, IFA, and virus-neutralization tests detect the presence of coronavirus antibodies in a cat, but these tests cannot differentiate between the various strains of feline coronavirus. A positive result means only that the cat has had a prior exposure to coronavirus, but not necessarily one that causes FIP.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My cat died from FIP. My other cat has loose stool. Is she at risk?
I'm so sorry to hear about Theo's battle with FIP. That is, by far, one of the most heartbreaking diseases to diagnose in this field. Most cats are exposed to the coronavirus that causes it, but only an unlucky few convert the virus to FIP. As far as we know, this is based on a genetic predisposition and has nothing to do with exposure from the environment or other cats. If Meika is having loose stool, I would recommend having her seen by a vet. It is much more likely to be due to a common problem, such as a minor parasitic infection or stress colitis from grieving her playmate. They will likely recommend a bland diet, probiotics, or a short course of anti-diarrheal antibiotics if her only symptom is mild loose stool. I cannot say that FIP is impossible, but it would be very low on my list of concerns. I hope this is helpful and gives you some peace of mind. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My cat tested FIP positive, but seems fine. Is it a false positive?
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! FIP is hard to diagnose. It is usually a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning all other diseases have been ruled out. The most accurate test is PCR of belly or chest fluid when the cat has the wet or effusive form of FIP. There is also the Dry or granulomatous form which likes the brain and eye. A simple blood test is riddled with false negatives and positives. Simple put a cat positive for coronavirus doesn't mean it has the mutated viral form that causes FIP. Unfortunately Mia's eye problem could be from FIP, but also many other things and sadly there is no 100% way to tell you that. FIP is not curable, it is a terrible disease. If Mia is doing well then I'd take that. And see if anything happens in the future. I hope this helps and I wish Mia the best!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My kitten died from FIP. Are his brothers at risk? Is it safe?
I am very sorry to hear that. the other kittens are not at direct risk because FIP is a mutation of a virus called Corona, but the mutation itself is not contagious (they cannot be infected by the mutation). nevertheless if they caught the corona virus there is always a chance that they could develop this mutation, but it is very unlikely.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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