Feline Infectious Peritonitis

[livingwith]

My beloved Harley Sue of 12 years was put down on Wednesday, January 30. She was a diabetic cat and I had been treating her for 2 1/2 years with insulin injections twice a day. I had been prepared to lose her to that illness…I never thought she might die of FIP
During my college days, I worked for a vet and continue to part time now. FIP is a killer of cats, that many cat owners don’t know about. I chose not to have her tested for actual FIP but her symptons were all there. ...Read the full article

[bramos]

I just read your story. I am sorry to hear about Harley Sue. My cat is 7 years old. His name is Charlie and we have had him for 4 years. We had bought him from the humane society. I noticed Charlie was losing weight about 2 months ago. So when we took him to get his teeth cleaned the vet mentioned that Charlie's gums were a gray color. I was so confused. I just kept thinking why is he so sick and most of all why is he losing so much weight? Well after about two months worth of tests they finally did the FIP test and it came back positive. I realized then that we were going to lose our baby. Well Charlie is still with us but we have an appointment on Wednesday to have him put to sleep. Do you think that is the right approach? I am so confused on what to do. I don't want him to suffer but I think for my own selfish reasons I am second guessing putting him to sleep. He use to be such a big healthy cat. He weighed on average 12 lbs and now or at least at the last vet visit he weighed only 7lbs 2oz. I know you mentioned in your story that you at one point worked at a vet clinic. I am just looking for some advice. My husband and I are living in Guam. He is in the military and we have had some bad luck with doctor's/vets. Thank you again for your time and again I am so sorry for your loss. Animals are so special. They are like our children.

Bonnie Ramos

Here is my email address in case you get this [moderator note: email address removed].