Question: Should all litter boxes, bowls, scratching posts, litter scooper and toys be thrown away since putting a kitten to sleep with FIP? How long does the virus stay in carpet, furniture or anything that has been in contact with the kitten? I am really paranoid about getting another kitten and having it pickup the FIP. Thanks, L.S., Bartlesville, OK.

ANSWER: I am so sorry to hear about your kitten contracting FIP. Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a fatal disease transmitted usually from cat to cat contact. There is some evidence of the presence of a dried form of the virus that can persist in the environment for several days--and can be infective. Due to this possibility, I would not recommend getting another kitten for a 6-month period and treating all bowls, litter boxes, etc. with a 1:32 bleach/water solution (or just replacing). Also, make sure that your new kitten is blood tested and is negative for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency viruses before bringing it home as these diseases are also fatal diseases and make the cat more susceptable to FIP.