Possible FIP diagnosis

I am so very sorry he's not eating this morning. Were you able to get his antibiotic in him this morning? Right now he's hiding for at least two reasons; he doesn't feel well and he hates the meds. It's so hard to see them like that.

It's your call what you do tomorrow, you have to do what you think is best for Roscoe. Just a thought, but you might consider having the blood work done before you make any final decision, just so you can be sure, in your heart and your mind, that it is an informed decision.

I'm still pulling for both of you.

Sorry to read this latest news .. Strongly agree with Susan however to take some time to wait and see. The medications are obviously taking a toll on Roscoe and it is entirely possible that this is causing him to withdraw a bit.

From what I have read, the test for corona virus will determine the presence of antibodies, but a positive result can also mean that a cat has been exposed and developed antibodies. It doesn't automatically mean that a cat has FIP. The process to determine FIP is more involved in that you have to look at a few things. Kidney and Liver function, blood counts and presence of fluid over a period of time.

You might try a bit of Tuna to see if he is interested? I don't know of any cats who could resist this for long! Keep your chin up Michael.

Susank521 said:

It's your call what you do tomorrow, you have to do what you think is best for Roscoe. Just a thought, but you might consider having the blood work done before you make any final decision, just so you can be sure, in your heart and your mind, that it is an informed decision.

I'm still pulling for both of you.

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Just my opinion, and I know that you will do what is best as you can see Roscoe and I cannot. But I do see some value in doing the bloodwork as mentioned above. So much is at stake here and as someone said, vets can misdiagnose this sometimes. You absolutely adore Roscoe, and vets can struggle with tricky cases.

I've had several cats with very serious issues over xmas (4 senior cats) and all stopped eating for a day at various points and looked awful for that period (after time diagnosing things, problems ranged from bile duct issues, pancreatitis, tooth healing badly after it was pulled, urinary infection). It was difficult to watch them eat poorly, but I needed time to get a correct diagnosis. A range of things can make a cat stop eating, not just fip. But they all started eating again and look better now. Based on my experience, I would look for more than one day of deterioration in eating (this can be a normal part of many illnesses) as I've seen this many times be overcome.

I would consider that repeat bloodwork - if those globulin and anemia values look notably worse, then evaluate what to do. This may well be fip in the end, but the story is not entirely clear yet and a bit more time to watch what happens may help you understand.

There are appetite stimulants for cats that may work to get him eating better if you need to buy time while you get all of your information.

Scarlett 001 said:

 
Just my opinion, and I know that you will do what is best as you can see Roscoe and I cannot. But I do see some value in doing the bloodwork as mentioned above. So much is at stake here and as someone said, vets can misdiagnose this sometimes. You absolutely adore Roscoe, and vets can struggle with tricky cases.

I've had several cats with very serious issues over xmas (4 senior cats) and all stopped eating for a day at various points and looked awful for that period (after time diagnosing things, problems ranged from bile duct issues, pancreatitis, tooth healing badly after it was pulled, urinary infection). It was difficult to watch them eat poorly, but I needed time to get a correct diagnosis. A range of things can make a cat stop eating, not just fip. But they all started eating again and look better now. Based on my experience, I would look for more than one day of deterioration in eating (this can be a normal part of many illnesses) as I've seen this many times be overcome.

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Totally agree. My cat was acting almost identical to Roscoe, not eating, hiding, acting totally different, weight loss, rough coat...ect. In my case, and I am SO hoping that it's the same for Roscoe, it was a matter of finding the right treatment. I had to get a new vet and I am so glad that I did because my cat's former vet never offered any other treatment options, which blew my mind. Had I listened to her, my cat would have continued to deteriorate and I would have just assumed that it was because the vet was right and I probably would not have questioned it again. I am not saying that you need to get a second opinion, but I would push this vet to look at other possibilities in terms of a diagnosis and treatment options. Roscoe is obviously not feeling well right now, but that does not necessarily mean that it's due to FIP. There's a whole array of illnesses that can cause what you are describing. I completely agree with what Scarlett about waiting for more than just one day of deterioration in eating. It took my cat almost 2 weeks before his eating habits returned to normal.Please try to hang in there and please continue with updates. We are all hoping that everything works out for you both!!

Thank you everybody.

I will have blood work done in the morning. Roscoe, is acting very frail today. His appetite stimulants have been working great up till now. 

They say your pet will tell you when its time. The way he is looking at me, he just looks like he is miserable right now.  I would have taken him in today if the vets office were open. 

If he can hold on overnight, We will get blood work done and go from there.

I have had 2 kittens with FIP. first one I had for 2 days and he had fluid in his chest n could barely breathe n stayed sort of hidden. Spent $2000 n then he died. 2nd cat had fluid in his abdomen. U could feel it. He had a temp that would come and go. He was very hot sitting on my lap. He became extra affectionate but finally quit playing like he had. It was devastating. I had the kitten for 7 days n he was so active n darling.

Sorry. I had the second kitten 7 weeks not days. Was so attached.

Michael Driggs said:

 
Thank you everybody.

I will have blood work done in the morning. Roscoe, is acting very frail today. His appetite stimulants have been working great up till now. 

They say your pet will tell you when its time. The way he is looking at me, he just looks like he is miserable right now.  I would have taken him in today if the vets office were open. 

If he can hold on overnight, We will get blood work done and go from there.

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If this is fip, it may be that you let him go tomorrow or sometime after, as clearly you don't want him to enter the period of prolonged suffering. I really struggled over xmas watching 4 senior cats struggling with issues that needed diagnosis - my heart was breaking and my stress levels were through the roof watching 4 cats not really wanting to eat and clearly in trouble - so I understand how much this is hurting you. All four of my cats looked beyond miserable. A part of illness by default/definition is struggling - sometimes things improve (which of course is what you want) and sometimes things don't improve. Since you were going to wait until tomorrow to do anything anyway, repeat bloodwork in the morning should give you more information to evaluate the status of Roscoe and what to do or not tomorrow.

Last night I had you and Roscoe on my mind quite a bit. Even after going to sleep, woke up a few hours later to use the bathroom and Roscoe popped into my mind again,  Thinking things over, allowing it to settle rather than try to determine and decide my opinion, based on the evidence, his condition, ruling out cancer, etc.

Honey this am my gut instinct is telling me it is infact fip......then I come here to check on things and read he is not too good today.

I am SO saddened, so sorry for your heartache and devastation, it's an ugly, cruel and very unfair disease.

Honestly, I would choose NOT to have him get another blood test.

I think you know what to do, when you love him the way you do, you will do what is right and fair, the best for him, despite how all of us  would do anything to keep our kids as long as we can, just follow your heart, for him, don't allow him to deteriorate like he will. I know you know.

I am hurt for you, truly. What you are going through.

Try to remember this, it might help a small bit at least. That cats don't fear death, they don't dread what is natures rules, they accept.

Love him like crazy, comfort and baby him today.

Big hugs to you both. I am so sorry. 

Roscoe got worse overnight. Throwing up and constant diarrhea. Made the appointment this morning and decided it was his time. I am full of guilt, and sorrow right now.

Rest in peace baby. Daddy loves you so much.

So very sorry Michael. I am sure the decision was not an easy one (I've been there). 

RIP Sweet Kitty ...  

I am so sorry.  You have nothing to feel guilty about.  With FIP being so difficult to diagnose waiting to see if the kitty gets worse is often the only thing that can be done.  There is also no way to prevent it either.

I am so very sorry.

So sorry for you both. As someone said above, try to remove any feelings of guilt from your mind - this was a near impossible situation to be confronted with for both of you.

I am so very sorry for your loss.  He was a very handsome kitty.

You have nothing to feel guilty about.  You had the courage and wisdom to let him go when his quality of life was gone, no matter what the diagnosis -- he wasn't getting better, so you did the best thing for him.  I'm so sorry for your loss and understand your pain.  This cute little cat that is still my profile picture is Lurch, who broke my heart by developing FIP at 10 weeks of age.  He only had 2 weeks of quality after that before it became clear what was wrong with him and I had to let him go.  That was the end of August and my heart is still broken, but healing.

Thank you everyone.

I want to share something with you.

Last week I read a story of a woman who had similar circumstances, Her cat was dying and she wanted to be with him as long as she could. I totally get that. Her story took a turn for the worse when at night her cat started meowing in pain. she had to listen to him for hours before she was able to put him down.

That was my biggest fear.  Roscoe was headed that way, and was showing the signs of not coming back. the last two days he was degrading. as much as I wanted him to be with me one more day to hold, I was too afraid he would suffer that night. which was inevitable.  

I know it was the time. Roscoe told me so. He was tired of fighting. I am glad he went maybe a day early rather than a day too late.

Love your little ones today for Roscoe!

Talk to them about him. He was my best friend. He loved me so much, All he ever wanted was to sit on my lap.

I am so saddened by this, but it was not a suprise after your update.

Most of us here have been right where you are now, and truly know just what you are going through, the heartache, enormous sorrow, tears seem endless.

Speaking for myself, I somehow manage to feel guilt as well, despite knowing there was really no reason for it, but it's human nature.

You will know soon enough, once the initial heartache settles a bit, with time, know that you loved him, gave him a good life, he knew he was loved, and wanted, and cared for. He had the sense of belonging in this world, security, everything a cat could ever want, he had with you.

It was very unfair for him to be taken away too soon, so young, I know. Please understand and have the wisdom to realize there are some things in life that we can not change, and we might never know why they are the way they are, why he was taken too soon.

What keeps me going through what you are now is, the hope that someday we are all united again. Until then, he is free from his failed body, but his energy and soul remain.

 

I love what you said about accepting it was better to have to let him go a day too early rather than a day too late.  Please accept my condolences.

I am so sorry, Michael. You were a wonderful friend to Roscoe, as he was to you. It's so hard to make that final decision but it is the greatest act of love and kindness. Best wishes to you and your other two kitties.