Kitten Gone Down Hill Suddenly, Think This Might Be It

Some of you may remember me posting about my Angelo, who had been slammed in a door. He's been doing really well. Until last night. He wouldnt eat his dinner, & was acting extremely lethargic. After he refused his breakfast this morning, I rushed him to the vet. She did blood work, everything is normal except his white blood cell count is up & his red blood cell count is down. He's anemic in other words. She said it could be a virus or autoimmune, like FIP. He's negative for FIV & FeLv. She says she just doesn't think its in his cards to grow into a healthy cat. He's staying there over night on fluids & an antibiotic, but she said I may need to make some decisions. He had an upper respiratory 2 weeks ago. Idk what to do. Somethings telling me maybe it's just time. I'm also terrified that if its FIP my other cats have it. I feel like my whole world is crashing down :'-(

First of all, FIP is NOT contagious.

The extremely common virus coronavirus nearly all cats will get, some will show signs like a mild uri, or simply under the weather for a day or two. Lots of people don't even realize the cat has the virus.

They shake it off and it's gone.

Occasionally though, a cat will not shake it off, it will go into a dormant type state, but is there just the same. It will silently do it's dirty work and wreak havoc and cause great damage beyond help.

My personal gut instinct on FIP, is it seems to happen when the cat gets sick with a uri, but is under stress as well, the uri gets dragged out taking a while to get better, and the FIP happens. Not the only times though, in other words, if your cat is not stressed doesn't mean he won't get FIP.

It is not contagious, it is a personal thing that happens, where the cat's body takes the coronavirus and rather than run the course and be gone, it mutates into FIP.

The fact that he is anemic is not okay. There is most definitely a reason for this.

No fever? Often times if there is fever there, we wait to see if the antibiotics have any effect on this, if not, then on to the next thing, usually a titer test to check for coronavirus, however just because it shows he has had the virus does not indicate FIP.

There is not test to diagnose fip, it is multiple things together that indicate it is highly likely/not.

The wet form is much simpler to diagnose, as they draw out fluid built up in the abdomen area, and it's distinct in color and specific gravity, and what it's made up of.

Now the dry form is a slower progressing illness, and is VERY tough to diagnose. There are some specifics that will help point to fip, but none are able to be confirmed, the only true way is via a necropsy, after death.

I certainly hope it's not the case with Angelo, poor little boy

Let us know!!  

@catwoman707 thank you do much for your reply. I can't begin to tell you the comfort that brought me. I've been in a sheer panic about the other cats.

Angelo does not have a fever. He was dehydrated however. The vet has started him on steroids as well, though I'm not quite sure what that's going to do for him. His little body is attacking itself. I'm waiting to hear back from the vet. I'll keep this updated. Thank you so much.

You're so welcome, please let us know how he is doing!

My sweet, precious boy passed away peacefully in my arms this morning. His liver had begun to fail, & I knew it was time. I rocked him & told him he had done such a good job fighting, but now it was time to rest. I nuzzled him as I sobbed, & he simply rubbed his little cheek on mine and put his tiny paw on my face as if to say "Its okay Mama, I know". We stayed like that for a long time. When the vet asked if I was ready, she cried with me when I told her I wasn't, but that it was time. I told him how much I loved him, & what a good boy he was. & then he was gone. My little angel baby is gone. My heart is shattered.

Sooooo sorry to hear that! I shed a tear for you while reading your post. My condolences. At least your sweet boy is at peace now, and you have your other kitties to comfort you. I hope you feel better.

I am so so sorry for your loss.  I can feel your heartache in your post.  It's so hard to let them go; even when we know how they are suffering.  It's just not meant to be easy I suppose.  Little precious lives. 

Per TCS policy; i am locking this thread for replies now.    

You might like to place a tribute for Angelo at http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge.