Has anyone had/lost a cat to FIP? ( Feline infectious peritonitis )

Yep, I lost a “room mate” to FIP back in the 80’s.

I wish I had something more useful to offer than “been there, done that”.

Best of luck, Coloma. I love my pets, too. Send this to syz?

@Coloma – I hope that they can help Marley. I had a kitty die from complications from the wet form of FIP. Sadly, we didn’t know what was wrong until it was too late. And we didn’t know it was FIP at the time. I do not know if FIP is curable, but if so, I hope your fur-baby comes through it okay. You will both be in my heart.

This is from Cornell University. It reads as though there may be treatment, though not a cure.

@tedibear Yes, it is incurable, only supportive care can be offered.
Marley is not responding to the antibiotics after 48 hours tonight. He is barely eating, only licking the gravy off his canned food and eating a few treats here and there.
I am syringing extra liquids with vitamins every hour or so.
The vet is not optimistic, she thinks he will make it through the weekend but, he is failing rapidly. I am just enjoying these last precious days with him.

He is still alert, with periods of modest activity, and we have spent the afternoon sitting on the deck together just enjoying the stillness and sounds of nature.

I am still in shock! From the picture of robust, young cat vigor, to a mere shadow of himself in one short month.

He knows he is very loved and has had a wonderful, if sadly short life, and I am grateful I could provide for him.

Thanks for your support.

I’m so sorry @Coloma .

@wilma

Thank you. A horrible, fast onset disease!
No vaccination, no cure, no proof positive testing.
The only surefire diagnosis can come post mortem, but, the symptoms are textbook.
I am doing everything in my power to make his final days love filled and pampered.
He is a wonderful guy. :-(

Such a sad couple of days for you. I’m feeling for you.

@Coloma – When my cats came up on the bed this morning, I thought of you. This isn’t an easy time… keeping you in my thoughts. The cats and I send you our best.

@tedibear

Awww, thanks. A few good moments today so far. He has eaten a little more and is alert and been up and about a little bit for a few minutes. He isn’t in any pain, just feverish and not feeling well. I’ll know when it’s time. Not quite yet, and am cherishing the moments. :-)

Are you 100 percent sure that it is FIP @Coloma? And, I hope you don’t mind me asking, do you have other kitties? I read about how younger cats could contract the illness and how you should keep the litter box the sick cat uses away from the healthy cats. All my best to you Sweetie. I know it is very hard to have someone you love ill.

@bkcunningham

All tests for feline aids/leukemia/toxoplasmosis were negative. 2 sets of Xrays showed no tumors, bowel obstructions or fluid build up, but…that can come later in the case of the dry form. He has not responded to the antibiotics if he had a mysterious bacterial infection he should have shown marked improvement by now. Yes, the vet is 99.9 % sure this is the case.

It is possible he was exposed as a kitten,or, my other cat is a carrier but asymptomatic. Impossible to tell, but she is not at risk most likely as she would have been exposed already and has shown no symptoms. It is possible she could become symptomatic, but the odds are quite small,

It can be a concern in multiple cat households, with less than quality litter box maintenance ,but, in the one or two cat household ( mine ) the odds are 1 in 5000.
All cats are exposed, and usually it is a mild intestinal virus that passes undetected. In 5–10% of cats with immune deficiencies ( the very young due to their immature immune systems, and the elderly, it can mutate into the terminal disease of FIP)

Most cats do not develop the mutated version of the Corona virus that morphs into full blown FIP.

It can also be passed perhaps through the placenta to the fetal kittens, and, may or may not mutate months or even years down the road.

The highest risk groups are kittens up to about 18 months old and the compremised elderly.

‘They’ think that stress can play a factor as it can in human as well.

Marley changed homes twice in his first 7 months, underwent vaccinations and neutering and then was lost for 4 days. 3 significant stressors in a short period of time, but…again, it is simply a matter of how the animals immune system responds. Plenty of cats expereince similar stressors without any effect.

It also mutates in a very individualized manner in each cat, so no ‘one size’ fits all.

At this stage Marley is not contagious as the virus is embedded deep in his system and there is no more shedding via fecal contamination.

I am hopeful Mia will not fall ill, if we make it a few more months I think it is safe enough to assume she will not become ill.

It is rare in cats over 3 of age until they reach their senior years again.

The test that shows exposure to the Corona virus cannot predict FIP outbreaks, only to show the cat has been exposed.

Just like us. Most of us have been exposed to the herpes viruses, but not everyone will break out in cold sores when sick or stressed.

It’s just one of those unpreventable things all in all. :-(

Well, I can say this without any doubts. I knew very little about FIP until your post. I know more about this than before. Marley had a tough start at life but ended up with a perfect fit in finding a surrogate Mommy with you @Coloma. You have given that kittie a good life in the short time he had on this earth. You should be happy for that much. I know it is hard, but as long as there is sickness in this world; I would want someone just like you to love me and tend to me in my final days on this earth. Keep your chin up.

@bkcunningham

Thanks again, yes, he is a sweetheart and has had a great life here.
He was just purring and ate a little food again, he’s a trooper, but, fighting a losing battle sadly.