FIP please help.

Katybengal · **Joined:** Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:09 pm **Posts:** 4

Hi everyone , this is only my second post to the forum so please bear with me.
My eight month Bengal cross Maddie has this week been diagnosed with wet FIP. She has been poorly for just over two weeks, lost massive weight, very low energy and her tummy has filed with fluid. Given what I have read so far about treatment and prognosis I was prepared yesterday to say our goodbyes.

However my vet has decided to treat her with steroids, an orange tablet I'm not sure what it is, and we start inteferon treatment on Monday. As well as increasing protein and real meat in her diet.( I think my vet had read dr addie website)
Has anyone treated a cat for FIP with this regime snd how much did it improve/delay the inevitable? Does it improve quality of life?
Just now I feel like I'm really fighting a lost cause, stressing myself over losing my baby and stressing her trying to get these tablets into her. Two weeks ago she was running about with her lunatic younger brother (Leo -four months) and now she has no energy but just to sit on cushion.

Any advice, positive stories and prayers would be so appreciated right now X

Katy

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Katy, I am so very sorry! I've never had a cat with FIP, so I won't be any help. I hope the treatment helps in some way. This is an awful disease that has no cure and is not easily treated. Keep us posted. {{{HUGS}}}

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Hi there. I lost my lovely Snow Bengal to Wet FIP at 9 months old so I know what you are going through.

As far as I am aware there is no cure for this condition unfortunately.

There is a very good Facebook Group called FIP Fighters that may be helpful to you.

So sorry to hear you are going through this.

Katybengal · **Joined:** Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:09 pm **Posts:** 4

Eggman, did you treat the FIP and if so how long for? I really don't want to make her suffer unnessarily. Thankfully due to steroids she is now eating again but still feels pretty grotty by the look of her.
I have joined the Fb group I'm just really trying to seek out others experience of how to cope. Sorry for your loss, I'm only starting this journey and in already devastated X X

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Katy, all you can really do is read up on FIP. There is treatment and some cats can live quite a while. This kitty lived 15 years. http://www.askthecatdoctor.com/feline-fip.html

I know how heartbroken you are so cherish each and every day with your baby. Is your vet monitoring for fluid in the body? I know many babies don't live very long with this disease and I'm sure yours will let you know when it's time to let her go. {{{HUGS}}}

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

I lost a cat to FIP but it was about 10 years ago. She had effusive (wet) FIP, her entire abdomen was full of fluid and her organs were shutting down. Her symptoms came on really fast, she was fine one night and the next night she was suffering. The emergency vet kept her on IV antibiotics overnight and I moved her to a specialist the next day. They spent all day running tests on her and the next morning when all of the results were in we had to put her to sleep.

I just read the link Sherry gave, and it seems that some have had success treating FIP so it's definitely worth a try. Good luck.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

The treatment has to give some improvement to the kitty. I think they have made great strides in treatment of most diseases -- but if the kitty has no quality of life, what is the point? Katy I really hope your kitty bounces back and will fight this horrible disease. It seems to unfair when a kitty is so young and has lived such a short life. Hang in there -- make every day count -- and do what is best for your kitty.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Weird this posted three times.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

The treatment has to give some improvement to the kitty. I think they have made great strides in treatment of most diseases -- but if the kitty has no quality of life, what is the point? Katy I really hope your kitty bounces back and will fight this horrible disease. It seems to unfair when a kitty is so young and has lived such a short life. Hang in there -- make every day count -- and do what is best for your kitty.

Katybengal · **Joined:** Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:09 pm **Posts:** 4

Thank you all,
It seems every day I change my mind about what to do for the best, this morning I went to the vet to tell them I wanted to pts but instead have ordered up the inteferon to at least try for a few days to see if she is improves, however tonight I look at her and bar the massif fluid collecting in her tummy she is like a skeleton. It's not fair and I don't know how long I will be able to keep putting us through this.

Her brother Leo still wants to play and is attacking her but she has no strength she just squeals at him, it's so heart breaking as they were best of friends from the day he came into house, she loved him like a mother cat would. Now I think she just wants peace.

I will reassess in the morning, she might be one of the miracle kitties who does survive, but I know I need to decide what is kindest to her .

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

I really feel for you. It's an awful, awful thing to go through.

Loads of (((((hugs)))) and thinking of you.

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

Just sending you my best wishes and thoughts. Devastating for you and your kitties. xxxx

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

I think every one of us who has had to deal with the issue of euthanasia ponders back and forth -- is now the time? Is now NOT the time? Are we doing this too soon? Is the kitty ready? The fluid needs to be removed as it accumulates, so that means trips to the vet. I know I would probably try EVERYTHING and ANYTHING to see if something would work. But in the end, a kitty who doesn't want to play, who feels badly all the time -- it's really not fair. We want to keep them with us as long as possible. At least you have another kitty to love on. For many of us, the loss of a cat means a lonely, empty catless home. My heart goes out to you! The thing is, there is always tomorrow for the euthanasia -- or the day after or the day after that, or next week. It's a permanent solution and I know we put it off -- many times much longer than we should have -- but you will do the right thing at the right time, Katy.

FIP please help.

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