Feels like giving up

agreenway · Jan 18, 2012

I bought a Bengal kitten from a breeder a few months ago and everything was great until five days ago. She was listless, sad and generally not feeling well so I took her to the vet. She had a fever of 104.5 and received a shot to reduce the fever and some Clavamox. They also ran a blood test / feline leukemia / AIDS test and everything came back great. After three days on the Clavamox I noticed that she was having issues breathing which only got worse overnight. I took her to the vet again today where she received chest xrays that showed her right lung is filled with fluid. The vet told me that because of her young age, high fever and the fluid in her lungs she thinks my baby has FIP. and recommended putting her down. I dont want her to suffer and she seems miserable trying to breath so heavy but at the same time I feel like it's so sudden! Is it likely that this is a misdiagnosis, is there any hope for me to hold onto that can justify watching her suffer in the hopes that it's not FIP?

feralvr · Jan 18, 2012

Oh my

I am truly very sorry for this. Welcome to TCS.... you will get a lot of understanding, compassion and support here. Unfortunately, for FIP there is no cure... it is a terrible disease. Two forms - wet and dry. It sounds like you new kitten has the wet form with the fluid buildup. I know this has to be just incredibly painful and such a shock. I really think your kitten needs to be watched every minute - because with fluid in the lung's she could suffer terribly. The vet's can drain the fluid to help keep her more comfortable - but it usually builds back up. I am just heartsick for you. If you are really uncertain and just don't want to believe this vet - you could go for a second opinion. If you trust this vet - then I would believe the diagnosis. :bawling:

I am sure other's will come along very, very soon with more support for you. :hugs:

Here is an article on FIP that we have here in our archives.... just some more information about this cruel disease. :vibes:

For you kitty :vibes:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/fip-in-cats

agreenway · Jan 18, 2012

Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate people caring enough to post replies. The vet wants me to put her down and was leaning towards tomorrow morning. Does that seem like jumping the gun? I feel like on one hand I'm giving up too early but on the other hand.. my baby is laying on top of my computer right now struggling to breath and I dont want her to have to go through this for any longer than she has to.

miss mew · Jan 18, 2012

Oh my goodness

I'm so sorry. I have lost 2 little sweethearts to FIP in the past and it is just heartbreaking.

I'm sure that whatever you decide it will be the right decision

bluerexbear · Jan 18, 2012

I am so sorry! From what I have read, FIP does take them fast...especially the wet form. I am so sad for you...but if you can trust this vet and can see that your baby is suffering, then letting her go is best. *hug*

stephanietx · Jan 18, 2012

I am so sorry! I have no words of wisdom as I've never been through this, but just wanted you to know I cared and was thinking of you.

carolina · Jan 18, 2012

Hi.... Can you go to another vet?
Wet FIP, even though it happens to kittens, very rarely the fluid accumulates on the chest - it is usually on the abdomen, which is why you see a potbelly kind of shape in kitten.
Of course your kitten can have this rare fluid accumulation...... or it can have HCM - it is a trait on Bengals..... and depending on the stage, it can have heart failure, with fluid accumulation around the heart and lungs - unlike FIP, that is treatable. The first thing to do, if I were you, is to get this kitten a shot of lasix to get this fluid off her, and get her on Lasix pills. Then you want to take her to a vet that actually wants to work with you and do some testing instead of just putting her down. There is a blood test for HCM that can be done in the vet's office -it is called cardiopet pro bnp. It is a test by IDEXX labs. At the same time, they can test her for the corona virus - if she has, she can have FIP, but NOT necessarily. The vet can also collect some of the fluid to test... But if there is a lot of fluid, and if she is very weak, she can crash - fluids around the lungs is a tough one to collect - not as easy as abdominal fluids.
Even though there are no tests for FIP, there are tests that you vet can do to give him a good idea if it is or not.
But if I were you, I would at the very least rule out what is treatable..... Simply putting her down without further testing, especially when the fluid is on the chest..... I would not be comfortable with this vet.
My opinion FWIW. :vibes:

jennyr · Jan 19, 2012

Carolina said:
Hi.... Can you go to another vet?
Wet FIP, even though it happens to kittens, very rarely the fluid accumulates on the chest - it is usually on the abdomen, which is why you see a potbelly kind of shape in kitten.
Of course your kitten can have this rare fluid accumulation...... or it can have HCM - it is a trait on Bengals..... and depending on the stage, it can have heart failure, with fluid accumulation around the heart and lungs - unlike FIP, that is treatable. The first thing to do, if I were you, is to get this kitten a shot of lasix to get this fluid off her, and get her on Lasix pills. Then you want to take her to a vet that actually wants to work with you and do some testing instead of just putting her down. There is a blood test for HCM that can be done in the vet's office -it is called cardiopet pro bnp. It is a test by IDEXX labs. At the same time, they can test her for the corona virus - if she has, she can have FIP, but NOT necessarily. The vet can also collect some of the fluid to test... But if there is a lot of fluid, and if she is very weak, she can crash - fluids around the lungs is a tough one to collect - not as easy as abdominal fluids.
Even though there are no tests for FIP, there are tests that you vet can do to give him a good idea if it is or not.
But if I were you, I would at the very least rule out what is treatable..... Simply putting her down without further testing, especially when the fluid is on the chest..... I would not be comfortable with this vet.
My opinion FWIW.

I agree totally with Carolina on this. I have lost two cats to wet FIP and in both cases the fluid was in the abdomen. On the other hand, my Dushka when I rescued her as a kitten had fluid on the lungs and it was diagnosed as pneumonia and treated very aggressively with a mix of antibiotics. The vet gave her a 20% chance of survival but she pulled through and has not had a day's sickness in the last 8 years.

Most cats carry the corona virus, and it remains inactive. But from the level of virus present, plus other tests, a good vet can make a very good diagnosis of FIP. So I would wait and try a few things first, if you can find a vet to work with you. Have you spoken to the breeder? She may know the level of her cats carrying hte virus, which would be helpful. Many good vibes that you get through this OK.

agreenway · Jan 19, 2012

All of you have been so wonderful during the past few days, I wanted to share an update with you. I made the heartbreaking decision to have Kira put down this afternoon. The vet did a necropsy and found evidence that supported the previous diagnosis. I'm so torn apart knowing how sick my sweet girl was but at least I can rest knowing that it was the best decision for her. I was so terrified that the necropsy would show signs that she could have been helped and I had simply given up too soon.

Again, thank you all for your kind words and support. I truly appreciate it.

redvelvetone · Jan 19, 2012

I am so sorry to hear this. I lost a kitten years ago when I was a child (that my parents adopted from the SPCA) that had the wet FIP (with fluid in his abdomen). He ended up making our other cat sick as well (although since he was older he managed to pull through). Patches did not and died at home. You absolutely made the right decision and do not feel bad about that. I just had to put down my cat in November and I was torn up about it (he had Cancer, and had some fluid build up so his last couple of days he had labored breathing like you described and it was horrible to hear). So we all know how you feel and it's natural to second guess yourself. You did your best for your furry friend.

My condolences.

feralvr · Jan 19, 2012

Oh dear - I am so very, very sorry for your loss. FIP is a very cruel disease and it just breaks my heart that you lost your little one today. You are in my thought's and prayers tonight. So sorry :hugs:

stephanietx · Jan 19, 2012

I am sooo very sorry for your loss. I hope you contact the breeder and let them know. You can also take comfort in knowing that you provided her a good, loving home for her short time with you and she didn't die unloved.

jennyr · Jan 20, 2012

I am so sorry that it turned out like this. FIP is so horrible, being both difficult to diagnose and almost always fatal, the decisions are the hardest to take. But you must inform the breeder, she needs to know.

agreenway · Jan 20, 2012

Definitely, I let the breeder know after the first time I took Kira to the vet. We've actually stayed really close and she even paid for the necropsy. She's offered me another kitten from a different line, or even one of Kira siblings but honestly it's simply too soon for me to even think about any of it. I do think it was an amazing gesture on her part though. I talked to her last night and she's going to have all of her cats tested as well as do a huge "spring cleaning" to try to work the coronavirus out of her household.

AbbysMom · Jan 20, 2012

I'm so very sorry for loss. :hugs:

RIP Kira.

When you feel up to it please start a tribute thread in our Crossing the Bridge forum.

I will now close this thread.

Feels like giving up

agreenway

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feralvr

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agreenway

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miss mew

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bluerexbear

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stephanietx

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carolina

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jennyr

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agreenway

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redvelvetone

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feralvr

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stephanietx

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jennyr

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agreenway

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AbbysMom

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