FIP in Purebred Catteries :
FIP has been described as "the single most important infectious cause of death in young cats, resulting in
the loss of 10% of seropositive kittens during the first year of life" (Krummow et al. 2005). This in my view highlights the
importance of the disease as a priority for reducing risk. Fortunately the recommendations for reducing risk of FIP work for
controlling most forms of infectious disease among cats.
While eliminating FIP at this point in time is not possible risk can be reduced with sound husbandry and responsible breeding
practices. As FIP mutates from a common feline enteric coronavirus present in approximately 93% of catteries, large numbers
of cats sharing the same space and more specifically the same litter trays, provides an environment that allows this virus to
spread from cat to cat, and cat to kitten maintaining the reinfection cycle within the household.
Recommendations to reduce the risk of FIP includes keeping cats in small groups, keeping kittens separated from other adults
in the house after birth, not mixing litters, and most importantly preventing the kittens sharing litter trays with adults and other
litters. Using a specific scoop for each litter tray is also recommended. While it is a complex issue and many with large
numbers of cats do not have the facilities to group their cats using this protocol, considering these recommendations in cattery
management is one way to ensure we are doing what we can to reduce the risk of the problem occurring.
(Factual information about FIP and other health issues can be found on the links page. It is now known that genetics is a factor in
the development of FIP and there is no way of knowing which cats are susceptible unless it becomes obvious in specific lines.
Current research is focusing on the development of a genetic test that will assist in identifying vulnerable cats)
FIP has been described as "the single most important infectious cause of death in young cats, resulting in
the loss of 10% of seropositive kittens during the first year of life" (Krummow et al. 2005). This in my view highlights the
importance of the disease as a priority for reducing risk. Fortunately the recommendations for reducing risk of FIP work for
controlling most forms of infectious disease among cats.
While eliminating FIP at this point in time is not possible risk can be reduced with sound husbandry and responsible breeding
practices. As FIP mutates from a common feline enteric coronavirus present in approximately 93% of catteries, large numbers
of cats sharing the same space and more specifically the same litter trays, provides an environment that allows this virus to
spread from cat to cat, and cat to kitten maintaining the reinfection cycle within the household.
Recommendations to reduce the risk of FIP includes keeping cats in small groups, keeping kittens separated from other adults
in the house after birth, not mixing litters, and most importantly preventing the kittens sharing litter trays with adults and other
litters. Using a specific scoop for each litter tray is also recommended. While it is a complex issue and many with large
numbers of cats do not have the facilities to group their cats using this protocol, considering these recommendations in cattery
management is one way to ensure we are doing what we can to reduce the risk of the problem occurring.
(Factual information about FIP and other health issues can be found on the links page. It is now known that genetics is a factor in
the development of FIP and there is no way of knowing which cats are susceptible unless it becomes obvious in specific lines.
Current research is focusing on the development of a genetic test that will assist in identifying vulnerable cats)
Health & Husbandry
We have changed the arrangements for the cats due to
renovations and as we now have our own stud he has his own
pen. At this point he has free access to the larger
enclosure shared by all the cats and he is also able to come
and go as he pleases within the netted in pergola area.
His pen is attached to the larger enclosure via a tunnel
(below) which is attached to the house. The pergola is also
accessed from this tunnel.
renovations and as we now have our own stud he has his own
pen. At this point he has free access to the larger
enclosure shared by all the cats and he is also able to come
and go as he pleases within the netted in pergola area.
His pen is attached to the larger enclosure via a tunnel
(below) which is attached to the house. The pergola is also
accessed from this tunnel.
Husbandry:
There are many important issues involved in cat breeding and none more
important than the conditions under which breeding cats live. Kittens are
extremely vulnerable to a whole range of bacterial and viral infections in the early
stages of life, add to this the worming medications, antibiotics, and vaccination
schedules and it is no wonder so many are lost in the first few weeks or early
stages of life.
Overcrowding leads to stress and makes it difficult to contain any outbreak of
infectious disease in a cattery. As a young kitten's immune system is still
developing they are the most vulnerable.
You may as a pet buyer see references to the statement "raised under foot".
This statement highlights the importance of kittens being adequately
socialised however it is also important to make sure that this is not detrimental
to a kitten's health with high numbers of kittens and cats all housed together
sharing litter trays in a confined space.
Raising kittens underfoot is necessary to ensure friendly well socialised
kittens. Sound husbandry however should not be compromised, and strict
hygiene practices along with adequate space, sunlight and airflow can all assist
to minimise the risk of a range of diseases and health problems.
There are many important issues involved in cat breeding and none more
important than the conditions under which breeding cats live. Kittens are
extremely vulnerable to a whole range of bacterial and viral infections in the early
stages of life, add to this the worming medications, antibiotics, and vaccination
schedules and it is no wonder so many are lost in the first few weeks or early
stages of life.
Overcrowding leads to stress and makes it difficult to contain any outbreak of
infectious disease in a cattery. As a young kitten's immune system is still
developing they are the most vulnerable.
You may as a pet buyer see references to the statement "raised under foot".
This statement highlights the importance of kittens being adequately
socialised however it is also important to make sure that this is not detrimental
to a kitten's health with high numbers of kittens and cats all housed together
sharing litter trays in a confined space.
Raising kittens underfoot is necessary to ensure friendly well socialised
kittens. Sound husbandry however should not be compromised, and strict
hygiene practices along with adequate space, sunlight and airflow can all assist
to minimise the risk of a range of diseases and health problems.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Stud pen manufacturered by Les Turner Aviaries and Sheds. The box on the side is a litter box compartment with a mesh bottom. This allows the litter to be kept out of the main pen and the mesh floor reduces tracking as the litter falls through to the ground. The litter tray can be easily removed through the back door without entering the pen. http://lesturner.com.au/index.html |
Below, thermal box I I have had made for my
stud boy. The idea is to ensure he will be
warm in winter and cool in summer. It was
custom made by Les Turner Aviaries and
Sheds using coolroom panels.
stud boy. The idea is to ensure he will be
warm in winter and cool in summer. It was
custom made by Les Turner Aviaries and
Sheds using coolroom panels.
| The pergola area is netted in however it is not very visible in these photos which highlights how aesthetically pleasing the netting can be. |