Please help me save Yrael

I'm doing a GoFundMe to try to raise money to continue my cat Yrael's treatment. There are some photos of him on the site:

Please help me save Yrael from FIP by Sabrina Castiglione - GoFundMe


Here is a little about him:


Yrael's History :


I have a 2 year old Savannah male, Yrael. 2-3 months ago his stomach started to increase in size. He was eating normally, so I put it down to weight gain. About 3-4 weeks ago he started to develop bad diarrhea so I took him to the vet and he has been diagnosed with effusive FIP, with effusion in the abdominal area. He is slim but with a pronounced abdomen.

I'm aware that FIP is pretty much a death sentence but Yri is currently comfortable and I want to give him the best shot at a comfortable few weeks/months.

All the tests have been done, blood tests, bacterial cultures, liver function and a test on the effusion to check for coronavirus and every test has indicated FIP.

He has had 5 of 5 preliminary shots of interferon, subcutaneously, NOT into the effusion (Virbac Interferon Omega) along with a ten-day shot of antibiotics and a diuretic to try to drain some of the fluid in a non-invasive manner. Interferon is administered every other day and there will definitely be a second 5-shots of treatment. His abdomen has not yet been drained, except to take a small sample for analysis.

He is still eating and drinking well, althought this baffles the vet as it is apparently unusual for FIP cats to do so. He is sleeping a lot but that has never been unusual for him. His stools were v. runny.

For dietary supplementation I am currently giving him (based on Dr Addie's website advice):

· A little raw beef a day (to provide him with arginine)

· Pro-Kolin+ 2ml per day (probiotic, taurine, vitamins)

· Yumega 1ml per day (vitamins, omega 3)

· A little sardines every other day (vitamins)

· A little pumpkin mixed in with food (to help digestion/stools)

· 1 beaphar multivitamin for cats tablet

· Cooked plain chicken (high protein, unprocessed)

· In addition to a few small bowls of various cat foods, mainly chicken and rabbit and duck and plenty of fresh water (sheba, solitaire, encore).

He has been given some furosemide each day (prescribed by vet) to try to move some of the liquid and a 10-day shot of antibiotics (to make sure he’s not ‘fighting on multiple fronts’).

Feliway diffusers are on in each room 24-7.

His shots of interferon are given subcutaneously (back of the neck), every other day, not direct into the effusion site.

Update on my cat (Yrael) (21/5/2014)

As of 2 days ago his stools have started to harden, his diahrrea lessened. As to whether this is due to his dietary supplementation or the interferon I don't know but I'm glad to see it.


He has had the last of his round 1 5-shots of interferon today. We're going to the vet tomorrow evening to pick up the next 5 shots, get him another dose of antibiotics and another lot of diuretics. Also we're going to discuss draining some of his tummy fluid (which would be on tuesday) as I keep seeing him look wistfully at the window seat, considering jumping up, but deciding it's too much work.


Hopefully a little draining will just give him a little less weight to carry around, and without that extra burden, and given he's still eating plenty maybe he'll even put on a little (non-fluid) weight. Hopefully he'll come through it OK and it will give usa chance to monitor how long it takes for the fluid to return. Seeing how I wasn't looking for it the first time round, hopefully this time seeing the progression of the fluid will give an indication of how long he has left (It's hard for me to pinpoint when the fluid build up started but it was after christmas and before mid-feb, going by photos, so it's been about 3 months of effusion now as far as I can make out).


Behaviour-wise it's mostly business as usual. He's still able to run (as evidenced when it was time to give him his shots) and his tummy is still around the 53cm mark (hasn't grown or shrunk in the last 2 weeks). We will see when we take him to the vet whether his weight has changed, although it's hard to tell whether it's fluid weight or fat weight.


I know it's a death sentence but it warms me when small things are working out okay, it helps me feel reassured that he's loved and well cared for and comfy and happy, even if he's only going to be here a short while longer.


The vet's original prognosis had him as having died by now, so I'm grateful for the extra time with him. Long weekend coming up to spend lots of time with him.


So that's where I am right now. If anyone has any additional suggestions, nutritionally, medically, comfort-wise, please do let me know, he is my number-one priority right now.

From the Mod Team Regarding Pleas for money:

Cats are a huge responsibility. Anyone who thinks otherwise, should not have one in their life. They are dependent on us for everything from providing a place to eat, to also providing vet care.

Anyone who has cats knows that they can and do get ill. Your best defense is to plan for that to happen before it does, and store monies away in preparation.

If you read about a plight of an animal on the internet and your heart is drawn to help. Check out the story thoroughly. Google the vet's name or call Directory Assistance in the city and be sure this is a legitimate claim.

Do not blindly send money into a paypal account no matter how heart-wrenching the story. Instead reach out to the member and ask for the vet's name and phone number, and arrange to send the money there for the specific needs of the cat in question.

If that information cannot be provided- you have your answer. Report the post to a moderator so that it can be removed for not being on the level.