Feline Infection Peritonitis

[Jasandjules]

Help.

Took the cat to the vet yesterday as she had breathing difficulties. She had fluid around her lungs which has now been drained. She's not a hugely happy cat today, but vet suspects FIP.

Please someone tell me there is something that can be done to help her.

[moosepig]

Really sorry to hear that. Let's hope it's not FIP.

"Treatment" for FIP is generally only palliative I'm afraid, there is no cure as such.

Fingers crossed for kitty.

[bexVN]

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/fip/index.php

Probably ought to have a read of this. FAB is a trustworthy point for any info on cats. I hope your vet is wrong

[Broomsticklady]

My sincere sympathy for you if indeed it is FIP - you may remember a post from me in January on Sammie my 8 month weegie who contracted FIP and who didn't make it. I did a lot of resesarch and it doesn't cure and progresses very quickly.

Rest assured there is absolutely NOTHING you could have done to avoid this happening. The poor wee cat got a virus which usually is just shrugged off, but for a few cats it mutates and is so cruel. If it is FIP, and the worst happens, think of the good times you had together and don't dwell on these last few dark days.

[Jasandjules]

Does anyone know what the anti-viral drugs are which appear to have some form of benefit?

[bexVN]

The only one I know of is Interferon

[ali_kat]

Fingers crossed the Vet is wrong

Ax

[Raoul Duke]

Is he sure its not Pyothorax?
Only ask as breathing difficulty and fluid around the lungs is exactly what Wilson has before xmas and the symptons look to be fairly similar. Your vet may well have discounted this, but if not may be worth a question. Pyothorax is extremely serious as well and not at all easy to treat but it IS beatable as long as they diagnose it quickly and treat it aggressively which Wilson proves. Strong anti-biotics, regular fluid drains ( chest taps ) etc are all they can do and it wont be cheap. TBF i expected the worst, but i kept going with the treatments even tho they almost bankrupted me as i could understand what the vet was trying to do and im very glad that i did.
I hope that it all works out for you whatever the final diagnosis is.

[Broomsticklady]

A swollen tummy was the thing we missed with Sammie which may have given us a clue - he had the wet form of FIP - but the vet has to be able to pick it up - ours suspected some kind of liver problem (misrouted arteries and I can't remember the proper name) blood and were going to treat Sammie for anaemia when they referred him to the Royal Dick in Edinburgh. We took a not very happy little boy down one day (4 hour drive) and the next day when we had the call to say 99.9% sure fip we had a pathetic little kitten to meet us when we dashed down and there was no choice - at least that bit was easy. The vets bill was huge - about £300 to our vet and £1300 to the Dick - fortunately he was insured and we gifted the £350 of his purchase price 'refund' to the Dick for research - it seemed like blood money otherwise.

Praying for you it's not FIP

[Jasandjules]

bexVN said:

The only one I know of is Interferon

That is what I thought. The same as FIV.

Well, now the vet thinks it might be her heart, which is at least treatable. I have to go back today to get the test results. Then tomorrow to see a specialist.

I will ask about Pyothorax thank you.

[bexVN]

Jasandjules said:

bexVN said:

The only one I know of is Interferon

That is what I thought. The same as FIV.

Well, now the vet thinks it might be her heart, which is at least treatable. I have to go back today to get the test results. Then tomorrow to see a specialist.

I will ask about Pyothorax thank you.

To be honest this sounds more likely. fip Usually causes abdominal fluid in its yet form. However it has such variations (which is why it can be hard to diagnose) that I didn't feel it was right to dismiss your vets thoughts.

This sort of weather can cause a crisis such as you are seeing, with heart problems, lets hope they can get on top of it for your little for legged friend.

Though as bad as it is it's still better than fip as there is a chance of stability with a heart problem. Good luck

[Jasandjules]

The blood tests are back and the vet now believes it is cancer.

My poor little cat is feeling quite sorry for herself and I am pretty close to heartbreak each time I see her, she doesn't want attention right now either.

We have started on the steroids and appetite stimulant.

[bexVN]

, how old is she? So sorry for what you and she are going through. Steroids are usually well tolerated by cats and can help esp with cases of lymphoma type cancers (the vet was suspicious of my cat having lymphoma and she was telling me cats do really well for months with steroids). She is probably feeling a bit poked and prodded right now, hopefully she'll feel a bit more up for fuss in a day or so.

[Raoul Duke]

Sorry to hear that - it must be heart breaking.

[ali_kat]

[Jasandjules]

bexVN said:

, how old is she? So sorry for what you and she are going through. Steroids are usually well tolerated by cats and can help esp with cases of lymphoma type cancers (the vet was suspicious of my cat having lymphoma and she was telling me cats do really well for months with steroids). She is probably feeling a bit poked and prodded right now, hopefully she'll feel a bit more up for fuss in a day or so.

She is still just laying in the one spot, she only moves a few feet then lays back down again. She just has little energy, and is still only eating when I tablet her and put some food on it.

But she only started the steroid yesterday.

The real question is how long should it take for her to perk up a bit.

I am struggling with this, as I feel I am torturing her giving her tablets (she's not too happy about them).

[bexVN]

I would hope you'll see small but significant improvements over the next 24hrs. Steroids usually start working quite quickly but she has been through a lot. Remember the tablet is only a small part of her day. Give lots of fuss but in small amounts eg quick tickle on the chin. Is she cleaning herself?

[Jasandjules]

Unfortunately I came back from popping out for an hour this afternoon and she was gone. I can't believe how upset I am and how much I am going to miss her - I truly can't... My only saving grace is that I know she didn't suffer and we gave her a good life (she was a rescue and had various problems when we got her 10 years ago).

But thank you everyone for your support.

I may not look back at this thread anymore as I think I will be far too upset, so thank you all now.

[bexVN]

Just in case. I am so so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in knowing you did all you could to help. I knew she was a very poorly girl from what you said but I kept my fingers crossed that she could stabilise but it wasn't meant to be. She went peacefully at home in a way that many cats would want. I feel your pain take care.

[Broomsticklady]

Another 'just in caser' - so sorry for your loss, and sorry you weren't there when she went. She was a rescue cat you say - take some heart from the fact you gave her a very good life while she was with you. My thoughts are with you.