Feline Infectious Peritonitis

[Nikoll1970]

And we can't stop crying about it. He is the sweetest baby boy and his name is Marmalade. We got him about 3 months ago, not by choice, but instantly loved him. He was "handed to us" literally by a group of kids who had a box of stray kittys out at a local race park one Friday night. We immediately took him into our family. He is the most affectionate animal I have ever seen. Three weeks ago, my husband went to get him fixed. The vet noticed he had a slight temperature and did not want to do the procedure for that reason and gave him antibiotics. He also did a Feline Leukemia test and it was negative. The vet noted he was very healthy. Last week we noticed his stomach was bloated (he is a normally thin kitten). We made an appointment and he saw the vet today. She suggested he be tested for FIP and also noted that he had some roundworms. She said he shows every symptom of FIP (results coming in two days). She said it is incurable and to "cherish our time with him". It made me cry my eyes out. My husband has been crying all night. I know people have long term pets that they lose and as a fellow animal lover, I sympathize. But, in this short time, we have become so attached to this kitty and I can't bear the thought of losing him. Does anyone have any advice, suggestions, treatments, experiences or information they can share with us? We are just devastated and would welcome anyones expertise in this area. Thank you. Dawn Bliler
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[mshortt]

My husband and I went through the same thing a few months ago. Unfortunately there is not much that can be done. After our kitten, Jinx, was diagnosed, they said I'd have about a month with him and that he'd just keep getting more and more bloated. I cried all night and then made him sleep on the bed with me. When I woke up in the morning, he was fatter then ever and his eyes were glazed over. It was then that I realized he was not the same kitty we loved. That morning I had him put to sleep. It was the hardest decision I have ever made. I'm not sure is FIP makes the kitten in pain, but he just wasn't the same JInxy we loved and the thought of having to watch him just get more and more bloated...just didn't sound like a good month for me, our family, or my Jinx. On my way to the vet's I let Jinx eat two whole containers of plain yogurt (his favorite).

There is no easy way to handle this, or good advice in this situation. My advice would be this: once you see that the disease has completely taken hold, and it is no longer the carefree Marmalade you loved, let him go to kitty heaven, where he can chase mice and doesn't have to have anymore problems. I think it only gets harder to let go. I spent hours online looking for a treatment, but there just isn't one. One thing that did help me and my husband was knowing that he was back to being himself (in heaven). Also, if possible, once enough time has passed, think about bringing another cat into your home. You'll never be able to replace Marmalade, but you might be able to help one of millions of shelter cats that need love and a home too. You will never ever be able to replace a loved one, but you might be able to help save a different life.

Again, my heart and prayers will be with your family during this hard time. I am so sorry that you have to go through this, it was devastating to me. I am so sorry.

[atommyx]

Our 7-month old Ragdoll was diagnosed with FIP on 10/19/07, and the vet recommended euthanasia. After so much grief and not feeling well about the vet's recommendation, I became determined to find a way to beat this. Please go to a homeopathic veterinarian. Here are some extremely helpful links:

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[barbaralynni]

Hello,

My name is Barbara and two weeks ago we lost our wonderful little kitty Captain to FIP. We were fortunate that from the time he was diagnosed in September we had almost 7 wonderful weeks with him. I had refused to give up and had every conceivable test conducted to try and assure it was FIP. Because FIP is so hard to truely diagnose I wanted to be absolutely sure. The ony sure way of a positive diagnosis is by taking a biopsy. This procedure is expensive and if the results are positive there is nothing that can be done so because of this very few people have it done. Because the symptoms of FIP are the same as many other illnesses it is important to be as sure as you can about the diagnosis. Be very careful of what you read on the internet. I have found most of the information to be unreliable. Also, my Vet, who is a certified feline specialist, assures me that it is now believed that FIP is not actually contagious. In fact, if tested, most cats would probably show positive for FIP but never get sick from it. FIP typically attacks very young cats or much older cats. Make sure your Vet is very knowledgeable on FIP and if not do not hesitate to contact one who is. Good luck to you.
Barbara

[mogley]

We just had the same thing happen to us, our kitten is Mogley and we got him in September. He has been diagnosed with FIP The vet said we should put him to sleep yesterday but he is still purring and eating so we could not do it. We will try anything to save him, he is so special. He is eating, had fluid in belly, the vet drained that and gave him a vitamin B shot which gave him some energy. Any suggestions. Thanks so much! Mary

[oscar1]

Dawn,

I'm so sorry Marmalade has been diagnosed with suspected FIP

You may like to join the following groups if you are looking for support and more resources on FIP:

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If you haven't done already I would recommend to buy Dr. Addie's e-book, it's not expensive and the money goes straight to FIP research. The book is written from the heart and can give you practical and emotional guidance, you get it by e-mail shortly after ordering:

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Renata (Dr. Diane Addie's translator) just started a new FIP forum:

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My Italian friend Lory has made a beautiful and very informative website about FIP:

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You can support FIP research throught the Bria fund:

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Kind regards,

Marleen & Peter, meezers Philemon & Philomene (Belgium)
missing angel Oscar who died of neurological FIP in 2006

Angel Oscar's Catster page: [moderator note: website address has been removed]

[mogley]

how is your kitty doing, did you find anything to help. our kitty is on prednisone and we will be starting another drug tomorrow. since he has been on the prednisone (2 days) he is purring, eating and walking around. we are not foolish enough to think he is going to have a full life but he is only 6 months old so we are trying whatever we can. should we do the test that will let us know for sure it is FIP - he has all the symptoms so what else can it be. did you have any luck? thanks, mary

[barbaralynni]

Mary,

Please remember that FIP is very difficult to diagnose and has many of the same symptoms of several other illnesses including some forms of cancer all of which are treatable. The only way to tell for sure if the diagnosis of FIP is accurate is to do a biopsy. For kitties who are very sick this procedure is usually not recommended as the anesthesia adversely affects their immune system. Also remember that some kitties live for months or a year or more with FIP Probably the most helpful information I read was suggested by my Feline Specialist and I posted it under "Simple facts about FIP. I hope this helps.
Barbara

[mogley]

is the test painful. he is just a kitty and it would be hard to believe he has cancer instead of FIP Our vet said they could do a test to confirm for about $220.00 and a test to see how far he has progressed with the disease for about $125.00. not sure what to do - he is eating and walking around. he is on prenisone so i think that is making him hungry. i cannot believe this has happened to him. he was diagnosed with giardia about 5 weeks ago and we thought ok now he will be happy. i think that brought the FIP on. let me know what you think. thanks so much, mary