FIP Questions/Concerns

Hi,

New to this forum, came looking for information/help/comradeship

My sweetie Tooter has been tentatively diagnosed with FIP. She is one year old, and I am devastated.

My vet ran some initial tests which she said give an 85% chance of this being FIP, but is now running another test to rule out something else which she says it could possibly be. Keeping the faith and hope that it is NOT FIP, but preparing for the worst. Won't have the results of that test until the end of this week.

My vet is also looking at getting her some trial medication -- I think it's PI, from a vet in Tennessee.

To be honest, I don't have a lot of information on this -- all this came down on us on Saturday, and I still haven't had time to process it all, and ask more questions of our vet.

Vet does seem to want to eliminate other possible causes of the symptoms, and also willing to work with us as much as possible to deal with whatever this is.

The symptoms right now are pretty bad; Tooter has uveitis, with one eye already filling up with blood, and a fair loss of vision in both eyes. Xrays show enlarged liver and kidneys.

We love this kitty so much; she has been so wonderful, and our lives are so much better for having her in our lives. We want to do everything we can to try to save her, and to make her as comfortable as possible. I know it's a balancing act between wanting to keep her with us as long as possible, yet not wanting to put her through hell just to keep her around for our own selfish reasons

Vet has prescribed clindamycin, and B vitamins to stave off anemia (pet-tinic)

She also recommended probiotics -- wrote a prescription for Fortiflora, but no one around my area carries it.

So I went to PetSmart, and got NutriVet Probiotics with Wild Alaskan Salmon oil. Looks like the main ingredient is acidopholus. Plus it has Omega 3, which the vet said was good for her.

Also, I'm giving her Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.

I'm feeding her a combination of wet food, salmon, and chicken, with salt-free chicken and beef broth to help in masking taste/smell of all the meds.

She's running a fever off and on -- vet said to wipe her paw pads with rubbing alcohol to help cool her down.

When the fever is high, she is quite lethargic; when it is down, she gets around pretty good. But she is still doing almost nothing but eating and sleeping.

I know that's not too unusual for a cat   but not normal for her. She's always been very playful, running and jumping around, climbing to high places. Now she pretty much just lays on the arm of the couch, or on my lap.

So -- question for all you cat lovers out there -- am I doing everything I can for my baby? Do you think I'm feeding/medicating her properly?

What do you think of the NutriVet Probiotics?

Should I focus on good quality wet food, or is it ok to add fish to her diet right now?

Before this started, I was feeding a wet/dry diet, and wet food was whatever flavors my kitties would eat, regardless of brand. I've given them everything from Friskies to Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Soulistic -- whatever they like, they get.

I want to get as good a start as possible on this -- the better we get started, the better chance Tooter has of doing well.

TIA for any advice.

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.co...osis-an/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/640123

Hi; I am sorry your cat is so ill. The link above talks about feline uveitis and it also discusses FIP briefly. It is very painful and I don't see that your cat is on any pain medications. I am not a vet so I cannot tell you what to do treatment wise. Read as much as you can in that article and also look up FIP to get more information. Use that sight though because there is allot of information out there that will confuse you.

Any way you can post the blood work. I am wondering what gave her the 85% chance of it being FIP since there is no diagnostic test for it while the cat is alive. They can get an idea that it might be but I have never heard of anything giving a percentage chance of it being FIP. In the blood work if the proteins are high like the Globulim then it can be considered a likely possibility.

Has your cat been ultrasounded? Is this a regular vet or a specialist you are seeing?

I think you have to decide how far you want to pursue treatment. Do you have the ability to seek a specialist if you are not already seeing one? I don't know your cat etc. but it sounds like she is very Ill, and if she is this sick she should really be seen by a specialist. If it is FIP which you won't know right now then really there is not much that can be done except for maybe steroids and whatever new is out there as well as maybe some anti viral drugs but to my knowledge, and I could be wrong, but there is no cure for FIP. But, there is also no definitive test for it.

Check out the above link and also try on that site to look up FIP and read what is there. If for some reason you can't access it I will copy and paste the information here for you. I don't think you have to be a member to see it though.

Let me know what happens with her. I know this is hard and I am sorry I cannot offer you more support. I do feel for you and urge you to consider your cat's feelings during all this, but do so from a cat's point of view, not a humans if you can.

Hello TXLady,

I'm so very sorry to hear of Tooter's diagnosis. I know FIP is a truly heartbreaking disease, and a terrible thing for ailing cats to go through. I honestly have no personal experiences with it, but did want you to know that there really is no definitive diagnostic test, so the vets need to basically rule out everything else and look at the symptoms to decide if it is or isn't.

I found a recent link from another member from earlier this year, that could possibly help you in deciding what is best for Tooter: 

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/272301/possible-fip-diagnosis

Were I in your shoes, I'd do everything possible to keep Tooter as comfortable and happy as possible. Feeding her anything she'll eat is great, and the added probiotics, vitamins, cannot hurt, I think. The only thing I wouldn't do is put rubbing alcohol on her pads....that can dry her skin out, and wouldn't like her to ingest it if she decides to lick her paw. I'd use a wet towel to dampen her paws instead every once in a while if she's running a fever.

I hope others soon chime in for your support and help you with more tips and or stories of their own experience/knowledge. Bless you for caring for Tooter so much. She is indeed very lucky to have you! Best positive vibes to you and Tooter, hoping it's NOT the dreaded illness either!    

Food wise, let her eat what she wants to within reason. Make sure it is cat food and canned as opposed to dry if she will eat the canned.

Hi, TxLady. I wish you and your cat all the best on your journey to better health. I think you're doing the right thing in trying to make Tooter as happy and comfortable as possible. Im so sorry that you guys are going through this. She's so young! I've had this scare with two of my cats, but it turned out to be something else. The vets did tell me that there is no test that actually confirms the presence of this disease. I too was anxious and scared the entire time i waited for the results, so i know how you feel. Im going to keep you and little Tooter in my prayers. Keep us posted on her progress, please.

Thanks Quiet
I do have the blood work results -- I'll scan and post them, have to go to a friends house to use their scanner
Both the total protein, and the globulin are high
Total protein is 12.1, globulin is 10.3

I'll switch to a damp cloth for her fever -- thanks for the tip, didn't think about the drying effect on her paw pads.

Thanks for the information about uveitis as well -- anything we can do about that will certainly help her, as she's having quite a time getting around. She's always been a 'high-up' cat, but now she's having trouble just getting onto chair seats.

And thanks for the well wishes everyone. I talked to the vet again today, she has ordered the first round of the PI medication from Dr. Legendre in Tennessee. Not getting my hopes up, but they have some success, so anything is possible!

Tooter's Mom

Just a follow-up:
My vet did order additional tests, to test for the coronavirus. Should be in by the end of the week.
We are proceeding now, on the concept that this is FIP.
My vet seems very willing to keep an open mind; she doesn't have a lot of experience with FIP, but she is knowledgable on it, and is willing to work with me on determining the best course of action.
I know I've been blessed to have Tooter for as long as I have; we found her when she was about 4 weeks old, starving, skin and bones, out in a rain storm, begging for someone to love her and feed her. She was exceptionally healthy for a kitty who had such a rocky start in life. But her digestive system was a wreck; hence the name 'Tooter', as she did a lot of that!
The last thing I want, is for her to be in pain or distress.
I will definitely talk to the vet about possible pain, especially associated with the uveitis.
As long as she is eating and drinking, and still getting around fairly well, I have hope.

If you could just post what the albumin is and the testing unit it would be a g/L or gd/L and then it will have the number and then the normal paramaters for the test. Also if you can see the Abumin to Globulin ratio.

I don't know of the medication that you are trying. I will try to look into it.

I am very sorry your cat is so ill. Did your vet mention anything about pain medication? Steroids? Just wondering. Don't know about this medication you are trying so maybe it would interact. FIP is a horrible disease. I am so very sorry. It takes young cats and old cats. It doesn't care and it is bad. I am so sorry. Just for now make sure she is comfortable. Look on the Merck Vet manual online. Lots of realistic information there. Also do allot of research yourself so you can be informed about what you do. Read up on the signs of pain in cats so you know how to recognize. Much different than with people or dogs.

Again I am sorry.

HI Quiet:

The albumin is 1.8 g/dL -- normal range is 2.6-3.9 g/dL. I don't see an Albumin to Globulin ratio.

I scanned the test report.




Thanks for looking into the medicine -- from what my vet heard, there has been some success with it on dry FIP.

Vet recommended against steroids, said it was contraindicated for FIP. I'm still researching that, I've seen both pros and cons regarding it.

Nothing about pain -- but that's a very good point. To be honest, for as long as I've had cats, I guess I can honestly say I don't know the signs. I will definitely do some research on that.

Thanks so much for the help, and the words of comfort . Lots of people wouldn't understand, but we never had kids, and our companions mean the world to us, so I guess we both get a little emotionally involved. And Tooter is extra-special -- from the first day she entered our lives, she has been nothing but a joy for both of us. I love all my cats, but this one has a special place in my heart.

I am so sorry that your cat is this ill. That blood work is pretty bad. You have to judge how she is feeling though. I have attached a link to a negative article on the PI. I am not saying it isn't a good idea, I am just trying to give you information on both sides. Also I will copy the Merck link here. It is a long read but it does have allot of general information on it. The best thing you can do for your cat is stay informed.

Signs of pain in cats is different than people. Cats are predator/ prey animals and of course that means they hunt and also are hunted. A cat will not act like they are hurt because it isn't what they do. If they were to do that outside they would be picked off by the next owl or coyote. So, by the time you can see signs of pain by people meanings in your cat the cat is in agony. Cats often do not understand why they are hurting and think they can escape the pain by running away. Cats also may be hiding to either hide from the pain or hide in order to survive so predators don't see them. Lethargy can be a sign of severe pain. Reluctance to move of course. I have seen a young cat once that had severe renal failure to the point of no longer able to make urine so essentially drowning in their own body, play with a mouse once. It was the cat's favorite toy and the owner brought it in for the cat to see and she actually tried to play from her laying down position. So some drives are very high in some cats. All cats are different so you kind of have to be aware of what is normal for your cat and note any deviation from that. Everything I have read states the uveitis is painful.

If this was me and my cat I honestly cannot say what I would do. From everything I have read tonight and I have read allot of articles pro and con the PI, I think it is something that could be useful and therefore if my cat was not suffering I would try it even though the cost is really high they say. The only thing I would be cautious with is that they said in this one article that I have posted the link to, it has not helped cats that were already very ill.

I wish I had something else to offer as for advice. I just don't. FIP is a horrible disease and there just is so much not known about it.

Talk to your vet. She sounds great if she wants to try all this. Also you can try a referral to a specialist but I don't know how much help that would be.

:Let me know what happens.

If that is your little cat for your avatar, She is beautiful.

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ccah/research/FIP and PI info page.cfm

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/gen...verview_of_feline_infectious_peritonitis.html

Hi Quiet
Yes, that is Tooter in my avatar -- thanks, I think she's beautiful as well!

Talked to the vet again yesterday -- one of the additional blood tests she ordered was for the Feline coronavirus titer, and it came back as 1:12800.
According to the vet, this is a fairly conclusive indicator that this is indeed FIP.
However, she also ordered a toxoplasmosis screen, which is due in later this week. Apparently, toxo can mimic FIP, and is treatable, this is the reason for the antibiotics.Vet said it is possible that Tooter has toxo, and the FIP is dormant. So we'll see -- definitely keeping my fingers crossed on this!

And yes, I think my vet is awesome! She's working herself on understanding more about FIP, so she can do the best job she can of treating Tooter. We're communicating by e-mail, sharing links to websites, information we have found that might be useful, etc. I have a lot of confidence that, at least as far as the vet goes, Tooter is getting the best care she can.
I did ask about the pain -- vet feels that, as long as she is socializing, and eating, those are pretty good signs that she's not in much pain.
She is staying in the bathroom during the day, but coming out into the living room with us at night. I think that has more to do with her eyes, and sensitivity to light.

At this point -- hubby and I are willing to try anything.
We did get the first shipment of PI yesterday, and administered the first dose last night. Not too bad -- she took it in food (apparently it tastes so bad, cats will foam at the mouth! I had that happen with her already when she had an allergic reaction and we tried giving her childrens Benadryl. I don't want to make her go through that again!)

I did read up on the PI -- and you're right, the results are mixed. But if this is FIP, it's our only real option, so we're going with it.
The cost is fairly high -- $210 for 6 vials, each vial is one week's worth of medication.Actually a little left over -- vial contains 10 ml, dose is 3 ml, three times a week. So by the end of the first course, we should have two additional doses.
Anyway, it comes out to about $1800 for a year, plus shipping. We had the first batch overnighted, cost $50. After that, we will use ground, so it won't cost nearly as much.
But you know -- I don't care. I'll cut the cable, turn back the AC, walk to work, eat bologna sandwiches every day -- I don't care. Whatever it takes, if there's a chance to save my baby's life

I'll post the toxo screen results when I get them. I don't know if a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis would necessarily be 'better' than FIP, but from what I understand, the odds of treatment working are better.

Tooter's Mom

l have nothing of value to add. l just wanted to send positive vibes to you and your kitty 

Sorry, meant to include more information on the pain issue.
Vet gave me prednisone eyedrops for her, which should help with any pain she may be having in her eyes.
She doesn't want to use a systemic pain killer, as from what she knows, it's not advisable with the current treatments.
Hopefully, if she is having pain, the drops will help.
I hate forcing her to go through even more than she already is, but better to do that, than to have her in pain.
She's so good about the medication -- I try to get as much in her by mixing it with her food. So far, the only thing I'm giving to her by mouth is the antibiotic, which she takes fairly well. If I hold her, and hubby doses her, it goes pretty smooth. If he's gone, and I have to do it by myself, she fights it. But I dont' want to mix it with her food -- if she isn't hungry, or doesn't eat it all, then she's not getting the full dose.

Thanks Andrya -- I have always believed that prayer and good thoughts have a very powerful effect, the good vibes travel across the world, and do effect change.

An update on Tooter's status:

The results of the toxoplasmosis are in -- she's negative, so the vet says this basically confirms the FIP diagnosis, and we will move forward with treating her for that.

The good news -- I no longer have to force her to take the antibiotics twice a day!

We have started her on the PI -- that's three times a week, and we just gave her the third dose.

Right now she's doing really well -- she's talking to us, chasing bugs, laying out on the sunporch, even got on the bed this morning to tell me I was late getting up to get her breakfast!

I know that this can all change tomorrow -- that we will have good days, and bad days, but for now, we're having good days, and I'm happy she feels so well.

Still doing research, but nothing new so far.

Wish us luck!

We lost one of our rescues to FIP about 6 wks ago. She was officially diagnosed on March 10 with the dry form. This was about 3 wks after her initial vet visit for "failure to thrive." She had lost weight and simply wasnt growing. No other symptoms at the time (eyes were good, u/s showed no enlarged organs, bloodwork was inconclusive.) She started the Polyprenal on March 14 (dose given every other day.)

She did decent up until May 17...this is when she started to loose more weight.

She had bloodwork done on May 23 that showed things were progressing; but, the vet wasn't sure if the blood had clotted before getting to the lab.

Over the weekend,G started to show some concerning signs...swollen abdomen, major appetite increase, pooping outside the litter box, and, the most concerning...a voice change on Sunday the 25th.

Went back to the vet on May 27 to do in house blood panel which confirmed that she was progressing (Also, she had converted to the wet form.) We decided to put her down that day.

All this to say, WE DO NOT REGRET spending the money on the Polyprenyl. I feel we did EVERYTHING possible for G and would do it all again in a heartbeat! When it was time to PTS, we were certainly sad; but, knew we had done everything possible for her and there was a sense of peace about that.

I wish you the best of luck and hope Tooter is one of the ones that this medication works for!

I am so sorry for the diagnosis. It really had to be FIP with a titer like that as well as the other blood work. To put it in perspective, most cats if they have had exposure to a corona virus (which almost all cats have) will have a titer of 1:400. My cat has a 1:400 titer.

I am glad she is doing better. I think your attitude is right. Keep her as happy as you can and as long as she isn't suffering continue with treatment.

Try to stay as positive as you can around her. You know all that good energy stuff can help.

Again I am sorry for the diagnosis.

Please keep us all updated.

TXLady1049 said:

 
An update on Tooter's status:

The results of the toxoplasmosis are in -- she's negative, so the vet says this basically confirms the FIP diagnosis, and we will move forward with treating her for that.

The good news -- I no longer have to force her to take the antibiotics twice a day!

We have started her on the PI -- that's three times a week, and we just gave her the third dose.

Right now she's doing really well -- she's talking to us, chasing bugs, laying out on the sunporch, even got on the bed this morning to tell me I was late getting up to get her breakfast!

I know that this can all change tomorrow -- that we will have good days, and bad days, but for now, we're having good days, and I'm happy she feels so well.

Still doing research, but nothing new so far.

Wish us luck!

Click to expand...

I've been following this thread and I feel for you and your cat.  My understanding about the study done on PI is that it only had an effect on cats with the dry form of FIP.  Is this the type of FIP that your vet suspects?

TXLady1049 said:

An update on Tooter's status:
The results of the toxoplasmosis are in -- she's negative, so the vet says this basically confirms the FIP diagnosis, and we will move forward with treating her for that.
The good news -- I no longer have to force her to take the antibiotics twice a day!
We have started her on the PI -- that's three times a week, and we just gave her the third dose.
Right now she's doing really well -- she's talking to us, chasing bugs, laying out on the sunporch, even got on the bed this morning to tell me I was late getting up to get her breakfast!
I know that this can all change tomorrow -- that we will have good days, and bad days, but for now, we're having good days, and I'm happy she feels so well.
Still doing research, but nothing new so far.
Wish us luck!

Click to expand...

Hi, I'm very happy for Tooter and you! I wish you both the best on your path to better health.

StephenQ said:

 
I've been following this thread and I feel for you and your cat.  My understanding about the study done on PI is that it only had an effect on cats with the dry form of FIP.  Is this the type of FIP that your vet suspects?

Click to expand...

Hi Stephen,

Yes, I do believe it is dry FIP.

So far, there is no sign of fluid accumulation.

There is enlargement of her liver and kidneys, and her eyes are affected as well.

Thanks again to everyone for your well-wishes -- taking it day by day right now. As long as she is doing well, eating and drinking, those are the best signs