Possible FIP

Please keep one of my cat's named Ginger in your thoughts. She has been very sick. Over the past couple months she has lost weight. We took her to the vet and got the all clear. I had this eerie feeling something wasn't right. It's been 2 months and she seems to keep losing weight. We took her to a different vet and they ran more blood work. They found an infection. They don't know the source or location. She hasn't been eating or drinking much so we have to give her fluids every other day. The vet did an x-ray and found fluid on her abdomen. The vet thinks it could either be FIP or cancer.... my poor poor sweet kitty! Her heart and kidneys still look strong so we are just trying to keep her comfortable until either she goes or starts to suffer where we will have to let her go... she's only 8 years old and we are all distraught by this news. Please send some much needed vibes that she pulls through! She's the best and we love her very very much!

white fluid in her abdomen found when she was spayed. The vet did not know what it was and attributed it to milk since she was a nursing mother. Well, it turned out it was lymphatic fluid leaking into her abdomen from a tear in the lymphatic system. It is called chylousperitomeum. You might want to google this and talk to your vet about the possibility. The vet was able to draw off a syringe full and determine that what it was. I hope you get an answer and I will definately keep Ginger in my thoughts and prayers.

chylousperitoneum

best wishes and many prayers for your Ginger, and you.

What were her blood test results, especially protein, albumin and globulin levels?

I'm not sure about her blood levels, my mom and sister took her. We decided to have the fluid tested this afternoon. The vet confirmed it's definitely FIP.

We gave her more fluids tonight... she peed everywhere... poor thing. I suggested that we get her a fluid button since the needle really scares her. We have to do fluids every other day. She weighs 8 lbs. Poor girl is so skinny.

My other cat, Tiger, doesn't really understand. I mean I'm sure he gets it.... he's been trying to help keep her clean since she doesn't feel well enough to clean herself. He's 6 years old and he has spunk. I think he wanted his playmate back tonight... he tried playing with her but he was getting too rough so I had to intervene. I started chasing him around and he chased me back. I'm trying to be a substitute playmate but he gets bored with me fairly quickly. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, I'll keep everyone posted. She's ok for right now.

Hummm.... It is my understanding there is no test for FIP, so I am not sure how your vet got this absolute diagnostic from this test? Am I wrong about this?

Originally Posted by carolinalima

Hummm.... It is my understanding there is no test for FIP, so I am not sure how your vet got this absolute diagnostic from this test? Am I wrong about this?

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I thought this was the case as well. Why does your vet suspect FIP?

Originally Posted by Going Nova

I thought this was the case as well. Why does your vet suspect FIP?

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Not sure... I didn't know that... I'll ask Monday.

Originally Posted by rachelh1018

Not sure... I didn't know that... I'll ask Monday.

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Yeah, just as an FYI - there is no test during life for FIP, so don't lose hope yet...

I am so sorry for you and Ginger. I lost two cats to FIP in the last year.

As for testing, my vet did tests on mine for the virus, which of course does not prove the cat has the mutated form which is FIP. But he said that a very high viral count plus fluid plus other symptoms indicate a probability up to over 90%. The fluid comes from the lymphatic system, as it leaks through weakened walls into the chest and abdomen.

Hurray for you and your family for taking such good care of Ginger, I'm sorry she's so sick.

Not only is there no positive test (on a live cat) for FIP, 8 years old is a very strange age for a cat to have FIP. Cats are usually under 2 years of age, or elderly.

My recommendation is that you take her to a different vet for a second opinion.

Please keep us updated on Ginger.

So we took Miss Kitty (Ginger) to a different vet for a second opinion. The vet did an ultrasound and didn't find tumors or anything of that nature. However, the fluid is starting to build up in her abdomen. She drew some fluid and did some sort of test tube test. She showed us the strand of protein and said that it was highly susceptible in FIP. The fluid in her abdomen is very sticky and thick. She told us basically what the other doctor said...there is no sure way to determine FIP, but it's highly susceptible that it is FIP. She said we just have to keep her quality of life in mind... meaning when she starts to suffer...we have to let her go. She isn't getting any better... it takes her a while to get upstairs for the litter...i'm moving it downstairs tonight.. our poor sweet angel!

I'm so sorry Rachel. I have been through FIP vicariously with friends in other forums a few times and it is a heartbreaking disease.

I know you will take good care of her and do what's best for her when the time comes. I'm so sorry.

xo

This is very hard for us because we have never lost a pet before. We've had her for 8 years... her whole life... and expected to have her twice as long. She's the most beautiful, sweetest cat and it's just not fair....

Here is a picture of our sweet baby: (This was when she was healthy, sitting in the plant we got at our grandmother's funeral. Sorry for the bad photo quality) Isn't she beautiful??

She is beautiful - I'm so sorry, and it's not fair, but she's blessed to have you and so much love right now. You are all in my prayers.

Rachel, I am so sorry about the diagnosis. Ginger is a pretty girl, I feel for you- 8 years doesn't seem long enough.

Ginger is 8? I've always read that FIP affects only kittens and young cats (up to 2 years old) or elderly cats. Not trying to offer false hope here but.....is there a possibility of getting her to see a veterinary internal medicine specialist?

Do you have a veterinary college teaching hospital near you? (By near I mean, within a 3 hour drive) Might be worth getting a referral and getting her seen there if you can.

Originally Posted by rachelh1018

This is very hard for us because we have never lost a pet before. We've had her for 8 years... her whole life... and expected to have her twice as long. She's the most beautiful, sweetest cat and it's just not fair....

Here is a picture of our sweet baby: (This was when she was healthy, sitting in the plant we got at our grandmother's funeral. Sorry for the bad photo quality) Isn't she beautiful??

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Ginger is a very beautiful cat. I'm sorry you are going through this.

Originally Posted by otto

Ginger is 8? I've always read that FIP affects only kittens and young cats (up to 2 years old) or elderly cats. Not trying to offer false hope here but.....is there a possibility of getting her to see a veterinary internal medicine specialist?

Do you have a veterinary college teaching hospital near you? (By near I mean, within a 3 hour drive) Might be worth getting a referral and getting her seen there if you can.

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From what the doctors say... she probably was infected with FIP when she was younger and it was dormant in her system until it recently mutated. Who knows, maybe it isn't FIP... she's so weak and sick though... something is causing all of this...