Possible wet form of FIP and we can't afford anything :'(

So my cat, Tito, is 6 months old. He was having a hard time breathing, so we took him to a vet. The vet said that he can't determine anything without an x-ray (which will cost a lot). The next week, we gathered up the money although it was very hard for us. Yesterday, our vet found out that Tito could possibly have the wet form of FIP. His lungs are surrounded by an unknown fluid and will drown him. He recommended putting him to sleep because surgery and everything else will cost too much.

My family is completely against putting him to sleep so that's not an option for me, even though I know he is suffering. The vet said just to keep him in area where there is lots of clean, fresh air flowing. I called my vet and he said taking out some fluid and sending it off to the lab will cost us $600, and there is no discount. We cannot afford it. The vet also said that sometimes, the lab won't really know where it came from, so it could be a waste of our money. And even if they do, anything else and surgery would add up to about $3500.

I am really worried about my baby and I always cry myself to sleep, knowing one day I will wake up and not find him by my side. What do I do :'( Tito means a lot to me and he helped me somewhat recover from my depression and made me happy again. Seeing him wake me up everyday begging for food makes my day brighter. We've never had a cat like Tito, and us not affording to help him is so suffocating.

I hate to see people say "my family is against it" as though there are no consequences for Tito.   As a culture we don't handle death very well, and people get very scared when they see someone ending a life prematurely.   I wrote this in another post, but I think it applies here as well.

"I think the dividing line between people isn't whether they have money, but if they are kind.  The ability to suffer over this decision indicates that you're a strong, kind and compassionate person.  Since animals cannot speak for themselves and we don't know if they are in pain (especially in the case of cats), my feeling is that we always have to err on the side of caution when making decisions about putting them to sleep.  Obviously there's a lot of variables and each case is unique, but I hope when I have to make this decision I remember that I will be not only ending my beloved pet's life with grace and peace, but that I will be preventing more suffering when I open my home to a new pet."

Your cat has FIP, you went and spent resources you didn't have to find out what was wrong.  If you just put the cat down without a diagnosis that'd be one thing, but what your pondering is how to help Tito transition out of this life, while sparing him a slow, painful death.  Money for the treatment isn't the issue - finding a way to think about this in a way that gives you piece of mind - despite your grief and the judgement of others - is. 

The disease is the devil here and the devil should not be in charge.  Don't let anyone make you feel as though being strong enough to spare an animal pain is weak spirited or sinful.   Again I'm so sorry, I hate reading these stories, they're so heartbreaking.

I am so sorry you are going through this. I very much agree with Reba, though  There is no cure for FIP no matter how much money you have.

Sad as you may feel, you must do this kindness for your baby and let him be free of pain and suffering. It is so not fair to lose them this young.

Sending love and light to you and and your kitten.

First of all don't go back to that vet. He is a liar and a cheat. There is no surgery that fixes FIP even at $3,500.

Here is what I would do. Call all the vets in your local area and tell them you suspect your cat may have FIP and you want him tested. Ask them what they will charge. You will be amazed at the range of prices you get.

What other symptoms does he have? Belly bloated, lethargic?