Madeline may have FIP

Poor Madeline.  She is the stray we found in our local landfill on October 18.  She should weigh 12 pounds; weighed 6 when we found her.  She now weighs about 10.

Her belly remains distended.  Three fecal tests have come up negative for worms and she's not pregnant (she was already spayed).

The vet has suggested she might have FIP.  He said he wants to wait another month or so and do an x-ray and perhaps see if he can get a fluid sample.

She is eating well, pooping fine (really stinky but nicely formed).

She is still throwing up a meal every three days or so and It usually is full of hairballs.  I tried duck, chicken and turkey.  They only thing she keeps down consistently is the Fancy Feast turkey kitten food.  I have given her egg yolk lecithin.  She usually throws up right after breakfast, so I leave a little bit of Blue Buffalo duck formula dry for her overnight.

She sleeps a lot and doesn't have a lot of energy.  She doesn't play but really, really just loves to be on my lap, being brushed.

We originally thought we'd foster her until we found another home but obviously, until I know for sure, she's got a home.

Any ideas on what I should do next, if anything?

Oh poor Madeline.  I have no idea as I have not had any experience with FIP.  Fortunately she has you and your loving home to care for her.  Is throwing up a symptom/sign of FIP?  Any chance it is food allergy or other allergy related?  I will keep you and Madeline in my thoughts.

Thanks, ShadowsRescue.

We thought of allergies first, which is why she was offered duck.  She seems steady on the FF turkey for kittens, so for now, that's what she's getting, along with some Blue Buffalo duck dry.  I only give that to her to tide her overnight.

The problem is the FIP is so darned hard to diagnose.  We're going to do a titer test, an ex-ray and perhaps fluid check after the holidays unless she shows more signs of illness.  So far, so good.  She's just been through so much already, it's sad...

Do you know how old Madeline is? FIP symptoms vary but it seems that abnormal blood counts and a persistent fever (and sometimes neurological signs) are often associated. Does the vet think her distended abdomen is fluid? My Sebastian had a distended belly from pancreatitis. From what you describe above, it sounds like its possible that she could just have some GI issues...maybe IBD or pancreatitis? FIP can mimic IBD, but many times there are other noticeable symptoms (from what I've read in my research).

Ondine what you are doing for her is about it.

The thing is though, if she was that thin when you got her, and has gained that much weight, it's always possible for her tummy size to be caused by starving then weight gain, as it usually doesn't show all over as it does over time, and will still but gradually.

Think of the pics we have all seen of children in Ethiopia, skin and bones, distended tummies.

Also want to add, only the wet form of fip will cause an accumulation of tummy fluid, and the wet form will take her down fast. The dry form is so much tougher because it's a slower process of deterioration.

Another indication is if she has a low/med grade fever and gets put on antibiotics, the fever will remain despite the med.

IMO, the biggest telltale sign to test for the wet form is via a fluid draw, it will have a yellowish color to it.

Glad you are caring for this poor soul

GoHolistic:  Part of the reason we're waiting to do the tests is to make sure the tummy isn't because she was so starving and to determine whether this is all about IBD or something else.

Catwoman:  That's good to know about the fever.  I do not think she has one; if she does, it is very slight.

We're going to keep an eye on her and hopefully, this turns out to be a false alarm.  Thanks guys!

I hope she turns the corner and it turns out to be something treatable!    Let us know how she does.