Cats living with FIP

About a month ago my cat (3.5 years old) had a high fever, wasn't eating and wanted to sleep all day. I rushed him to emergency that night and they put him on an IV. The next day the doctor said they couldn't find a definitive answer as to what was wrong as all the tests they did turned up negative so they assumed it was FIP (dry form). Since then we started him on Pet-tabs vitamins with iron, taurine and moducare every day. In an attempt to find a cure I contacted Irene online who has a site dedicated to treating FIP through homeopath and I started him on a recommendation but it's now a month later and he seems all there mentally but he can barely walk and has now started to urinate and defecate where he lays as he's too weak to go to the litter box.

What I'm wondering is if his quality of life at this point isn't bearable anymore and it's time to put him down? It's so hard for me to decide this as he still responds to petting and eats well when coaxed, but he always wants to hide and sleep in his cat bed during the day and barely moves 5 feet the entire day.

First of all, I'm sorry that your little guy is going through this.  I just lost my boy to an unknown illness three weeks ago.

Unfortunately there isn't a cure for FIP.  FIP is a mystery.  There's no one test that can really give you answers as to what you're facing.  Most cats with the dry form of FIP die within 2 months of initial diagnosis.  Physically, cats will become increasingly paralyzed if their nervous system is effected.  

That being said, it's not an easy decision that you are facing.  No one but yourself can make the decision that it's time.  If you feel that he still has some life to live, then there is no harm in letting him be.  If you feel that he is suffering in any way, then you might want to think about your options.  I told my boy that if things got too tough, it was alright to rest.  He did just that before I had to make any truly difficult decisions of my own.

I wish you and your boy the best and hope that you can find the answers that you're looking for.

I am so sorry you are going through this.  Unfortunately, if this is dry FIP there is no cure at this time.  There have been some things that have shown promise if it is caught very early, before there are symptoms.  Of course in practical terms there is no way to catch this before symptoms present.  If you have access to a certified feline specialist for a second opinion it may put your mind at ease that it is probably as much as there can be a definitive diagnosis, FIP.  

I know this isn't what you want to hear.  FIP is such a horrible cruel thing.  There is nothing that can be done to prevent it, in fact the process that causes some kitties to come down with it isn't fully understood.

I know some homeopathic practitioners have ideas but to be honest I have known of none of them working.

Thanks for all the well wishes. Unfortunately we had to put him down last night, still getting over the shock. It was a short life but we made the best of it and hope he enjoyed every day he was with us.

I'm very sorry for your loss.  We have also lost a cat to FIP and it happened very suddenly/quickly.  There's a support group on Facebook if you would like to talk to others who have gone through this horrific disease: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fipfighters/

I'm very sorry for your loss. FIP is a horrible disease that those with cats dread because there's no effective treatment for it.

The TCS team would like you to know that we are so very sorry for your loss. Threads are locked after someone has suffered such a loss, as a sign of respect. We invite you to place a tribute at http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge as an enduring testimony to your friend.