Two Cats Saw the Vet Tonight: One Diagnosed with FIP, the Other with Cancer; Need Advice on FIP.

meeyow I just need to apologise for getting names mixed up. I must have been reading too fast. I now see that @mphscat was the person I was referring to :anon:

I can't imagine what you're going through. Either one of those diagnoses would be devastating. To have to deal with the two together must feel insurmountable.

I just returned from the vet with the pain meds - over an hour round trip.  I also stopped at Petco and picked up so much wet food.  The one who needed pain meds is eating, but I haven't given the pain cream yet.  It's a cream to rub in the ear.  I'm very disappointed with the services I received.

First, they used local anesthesia to look at my cat's tumor and didn't tell me anything about watching him when I got home.  So, I opened the pet taxis and went to the store for cat food.  When I returned I saw a mess in my kitchen.  He had overturned a plate of food.  I put him back inside the taxi for his own safety.  When he had dental work done in February they told me to keep him protected or awhile, but not this time.  I was too distraught to even think about it.  Anyway, I told them that he could have hurt himself while I was gone.

Second, I couldn't understand why the vet didn't send me home with pain medication after he'd just cut off a piece of skin.  I had to drive all that way just for some cream.

Third, when I looked inside the bag I saw a syringe with a rubber glove looking thing. I said I couldn't give injections and was expecting a pill.  The receptionist told me it wasn't an injection, but a cream to put inside the mouth.  I asked about the glove like thing and she said it was to rub in the cream. I told her that the vet had to put the cat under, just to get inside his mouth and that was with 2 assistants; how was I going to get in there by myself?  She then read the information and said, "Oh it's for the ear." OMG she was going to have me put topical pain cream inside my cat's mouth!  She called the nurse over who better explained the procedure to me.

I asked about draining his belly and it wasn't that expensive - like $150 plus $45 for anesthesia plus another office visit (that part I was surprised about). She said there's no way to know how long before it fills up again, but usually once it starts filling it doesn't stop.  So now I don't know if I should do it.

I am so so sorry to hear about your poor kitties. Having very recently lost a kitten to FIP, and an older cat to cancer, it hurts just to think about it.  Our kitten that got FIP survived maybe 2 months after we were sure that's what it was. She had fluid in her abdomen but never swelled up like that, so I don't know what kind it was. We gave her steroids and that helped. We also syringe fed her a food called Recovery.  We gave her anything she would eat. For a while the only thing she would eat were catnip treats, so that's what she got, as many as she would eat.  FIP is always 100% fatal, you can't cheat it, we tried so hard and kept praying it was something else.

is there surgery available for your cat with cancer?  I don't know about mouth tumors, if that's possible. Our Cynthia had a tumor on her colon and with surgery and chemo she survived almost another 2 years.

It's so painful going through this, and hard enough with one cat being sick, but both at the same time, my heart just breaks for you.

My kitty actually has FIV, not FIP, as has already been pointed out.

I'm so sorry - my goodness, so much heartache.

Glad he's eating again! That's always encouraging. But as others have said, wet FIP is fatal.

I will say - the being picky is often a sign of a GI problem (I'm seeing this more and more, it's been a theory of mine for some time), so it often makes sense to work on making them feel better and eat healthy food rather than find a food they'll eat and let what may be an underlying problem continue. :heart2: Things that help aren't really appropriate here, especially right now though.

I do have a friend that knows FIP well, at least diagnostics from blood work. meeyow was blood work done? If so, if you could post the results, that will help. In the meantime, I'll send vibes the vet is wrong - though fluid where it shouldn't be is never a good thing.

When they found fluid in Darcy's abdomen, they suggested it could be one of 3 things. One was FIP, one was cancer, and I think the other was IBD?  I think all FIP is fatal, not just the wet kind.  All the people we talked to with Darcy were surprised she lived as long as she did.  Lord, I miss that kitten. I am crying now.

@MeeYow   Wow, that's horrible. Best I can advise is read everything you are given regardless of how you are told to apply it, there are usually pamphlets inside medicine boxes or stuck to the sides. Its a shame you can't trust being told what you are told by professionals but I'm glad it was caught before any damage was done. I am also sorry to say it but I think the best you'll be able to do is set-up a at home hospice type thing until either it is too much for them or they pass on. I'm very sorry you're dealing with two sick kitties and unprofessional Vet care. You may consider filing a complaint with the manager.

So sorry I confused. FIV with FIP. Everyone here is giving you great info.

I too had an issue with my vet and medication. When I went to pick up an antibiotic for a cat, they erroneously gave me insulin for a diabetic cat. If I hadn't asked them to review the medication with me and the dosage, they would have NEVER noticed. It is scary!

Let us know how your babies get on. We are all cheering for a good outcome...and if not good news, a pain free, serene crossing of the rainbow bridge.

Misty8723 said:

 
I am so so sorry to hear about your poor kitties. Having very recently lost a kitten to FIP, and an older cat to cancer, it hurts just to think about it.  Our kitten that got FIP survived maybe 2 months after we were sure that's what it was. She had fluid in her abdomen but never swelled up like that, so I don't know what kind it was. We gave her steroids and that helped. We also syringe fed her a food called Recovery.  We gave her anything she would eat. For a while the only thing she would eat were catnip treats, so that's what she got, as many as she would eat.  FIP is always 100% fatal, you can't cheat it, we tried so hard and kept praying it was something else.

is there surgery available for your cat with cancer?  I don't know about mouth tumors, if that's possible. Our Cynthia had a tumor on her colon and with surgery and chemo she survived almost another 2 years.

It's so painful going through this, and hard enough with one cat being sick, but both at the same time, my heart just breaks for you.

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Once the biopsy results are in I'll know more.  I will consult with my holistic vet about it.  I wanted to do the same with the FIP one, but I don't know if he can last until I can get an appointment with her on June 16th; I'll ask to be put on a waiting list.

LDG said:

My kitty actually has FIV, not FIP, as has already been pointed out.

I'm so sorry - my goodness, so much heartache.

Glad he's eating again! That's always encouraging. But as others have said, wet FIP is fatal.

I will say - the being picky is often a sign of a GI problem (I'm seeing this more and more, it's been a theory of mine for some time), so it often makes sense to work on making them feel better and eat healthy food rather than find a food they'll eat and let what may be an underlying problem continue.

Things that help aren't really appropriate here, especially right now though.

I do have a friend that knows FIP well, at least diagnostics from blood work. @MeeYow was blood work done? If so, if you could post the results, that will help. In the meantime, I'll send vibes the vet is wrong - though fluid where it shouldn't be is never a good thing.

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Thanks for getting back to me.  No blood work was taken even though I asked if any tests could/should be performed.  It was my first time seeing that vet and I wasn't impressed.  It's a larger practice with multiple vets; the cat vet I use is wonderful as is the owner who no longer examines (I think he does just surgeries).

Misty8723 said:

 
When they found fluid in Darcy's abdomen, they suggested it could be one of 3 things. One was FIP, one was cancer, and I think the other was IBD?  I think all FIP is fatal, not just the wet kind.  All the people we talked to with Darcy were surprised she lived as long as she did.  Lord, I miss that kitten. I am crying now.

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Aww I'm so sorry.  I tear up even today when I talk about my cat who passed away a little over a year ago.  There are just some pets that leave such a lasting impact on us.

nansiludie said:

 
@MeeYow   Wow, that's horrible. Best I can advise is read everything you are given regardless of how you are told to apply it, there are usually pamphlets inside medicine boxes or stuck to the sides. Its a shame you can't trust being told what you are told by professionals but I'm glad it was caught before any damage was done. I am also sorry to say it but I think the best you'll be able to do is set-up a at home hospice type thing until either it is too much for them or they pass on. I'm very sorry you're dealing with two sick kitties and unprofessional Vet care. You may consider filing a complaint with the manager.

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I'm going to try to read more when I'm better able.  I just woke up from a much needed nap, but still feel so drained.  He seems happy for now and ate again, but he's really just interested in licking the juice from the packets of Wellness I got for him (I wish he'd eat the soft pieces).

mphscat said:

So sorry I confused. FIV with FIP.

Everyone here is giving you great info.

I too had an issue with my vet and medication. When I went to pick up an antibiotic for a cat, they erroneously gave me insulin for a diabetic cat. If I hadn't asked them to review the medication with me and the dosage, they would have NEVER noticed. It is scary!

Let us know how your babies get on. We are all cheering for a good outcome...and if not good news, a pain free, serene crossing of the rainbow bridge.

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No worries. My cat has both.  I would have read the instructions, before I applied. This was a cream that was in a syringe - no box and no leaflet, just a sticker on the bag that had the cat's name, amount to rub into the ear, and how often to reapply.  What it didn't tell me was to make sure not to get it onto my finger, which is why the little finger protectors were included.  The nurse explained that and showed me the markings on the syringe - she used a sharpie to make them more noticeable for my old eyes.

I don't think it would burst but it would get very uncomfortable and painful.  you'll know when they are ready, its different for everyone, I think once they will no longer eat and the light of life is gone from them you'll know. For me, I'd rather them go a day early than a day too late. I know its very hard, especially with terminal illnesses.

I think the FIP cat might be dehydrated; he's acting like my late cat who suffered with it toward the end in that he's laying on the floor a lot instead of standing up.  I don't ever see my cats drink, but since I've tried to pay more attention to him I haven't seen him go to the bowl.  So, I gave him a couple of squirts of water from a dropper.  How much should I give him and how often?

nansiludie said:

 
I don't think it would burst but it would get very uncomfortable and painful.  you'll know when they are ready, its different for everyone, I think once they will no longer eat and the light of life is gone from them you'll know. For me, I'd rather them go a day early than a day too late. I know its very hard, especially with terminal illnesses.

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It won't burst. You can have it drained periodically and give them some comfort.  With Darcy, we had no intention of sending her off too soon. There are some who would advice to let them go the minute you get the diagnosis, but as long as we were getting her to eat some and she seemed to have some enjoyment in life, we just loved her to the best of our ability.. Letting her go finally was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life and it haunts me so much more than with Cindy who we let pass naturally (with pain medication) here at home.  I guess it's an individual choice. I'm very fortunate to have a vet who is caring and will not euthanize too early.

Misty8723 said:

 
It won't burst. You can have it drained periodically and give them some comfort.  With Darcy, we had no intention of sending her off too soon. There are some who would advice to let them go the minute you get the diagnosis, but as long as we were getting her to eat some and she seemed to have some enjoyment in life, we just loved her to the best of our ability.. Letting her go finally was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life and it haunts me so much more than with Cindy who we let pass naturally (with pain medication) here at home.  I guess it's an individual choice. I'm very fortunate to have a vet who is caring and will not euthanize too early.

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I wish I'd drained it on Friday when he got the diagnosis, because things are really bad today.  He stops to rest after he takes a few steps and this morning he won't eat.  I have opened 3 or 4 wet containers, but then again my other cats aren't eating it either.  So far none of the food has been a success.  I gave him water, periodically, but I think dehydration had already set in.  I hope he is okay until I can put him down tomorrow.  There's no life in him - no purring, no meowing.  It's so sad, because he's always been so vocal and loving each  morning.

If he is dehydrated, he'll need fluids, sub-Q fluids. You can for now giving him tuna water and plain water but I think he might be nearing the end if he won't even stand up. I'm very sorry. The fluid in his chest is probably making him very uncomfortable.

nansiludie said:

 
If he is dehydrated, he'll need fluids, sub-Q fluids. You can for now giving him tuna water and plain water but I think he might be nearing the end if he won't even stand up. I'm very sorry. The fluid in his chest is probably making him very uncomfortable.

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He's walking, but not far.  He even  jumped a little bit, but can't get to where he wants which is with the other cats on a table.  I keep giving him water by mouth, just to make him as comfortable as I can until tomorrow. 

I appreciate everyone's help.  This is such a sad time and I'm just sick to my stomach.  The cancer cat is doing well and I'll deal with him when I know more from his results.

Maybe you can set him with the others on the table and set a box so he can get back down. I'm very sorry about this.

nansiludie said:

 
Maybe you can set him with the others on the table and set a box so he can get back down. I'm very sorry about this.

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He just proved me wrong!  After I submitted my last reply I went to the kitchen to give water and he was on the table!  My dad is at the store trying to find Fancy Feast pouches, because none of the cats will eat any of the wet I bought: Nature's Recipe in the plastic containers, Natural Balance in the pouches, and Wellness Divine Duos in the round plastic containers.  I opened about a dozen and a half and tossed them all into the garbage.  They licked the gravy on a couple, but that's it.  I have probably 2-3 dozen more unopened that I'll just return.

MeeYow said:

 
I wish I'd drained it on Friday when he got the diagnosis, because things are really bad today.  He stops to rest after he takes a few steps and this morning he won't eat.  I have opened 3 or 4 wet containers, but then again my other cats aren't eating it either.  So far none of the food has been a success.  I gave him water, periodically, but I think dehydration had already set in.  I hope he is okay until I can put him down tomorrow.  There's no life in him - no purring, no meowing.  It's so sad, because he's always been so vocal and loving each  morning.

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MeeYow said:

 
He just proved me wrong!  After I submitted my last reply I went to the kitchen to give water and he was on the table!  My dad is at the store trying to find Fancy Feast pouches, because none of the cats will eat any of the wet I bought: Nature's Recipe in the plastic containers, Natural Balance in the pouches, and Wellness Divine Duos in the round plastic containers.  I opened about a dozen and a half and tossed them all into the garbage.  They licked the gravy on a couple, but that's it.  I have probably 2-3 dozen more unopened that I'll just return.

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At the end for Darcy, that's how she was, she moved around, but couldn't get comfortable, you could see in her that she was miserable.  It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do putting her into that carrier and taking her for her last ride to the vet.  I completely know what you are going through.  Sub Q might help. Darcy had Sub Q twice. She also ate treats when she wouldn't eat anything else. One thing we got her to eat a bit of was Friskies and 9 Lives. I was trying anything and I didn't care what the quality was if she would just eat.  If your cat is filling up with fluid sadly it may not matter if he eats or not. 

Misty8723 said:

 
At the end for Darcy, that's how she was, she moved around, but couldn't get comfortable, you could see in her that she was miserable.  It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do putting her into that carrier and taking her for her last ride to the vet.  I completely know what you are going through.  Sub Q might help. Darcy had Sub Q twice. She also ate treats when she wouldn't eat anything else. One thing we got her to eat a bit of was Friskies and 9 Lives. I was trying anything and I didn't care what the quality was if she would just eat.  If your cat is filling up with fluid sadly it may not matter if he eats or not. 

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With my cat who died a year and a week ago, I did so many subcutaneous injections and the day I drove to the vet I still thought he had time.  I slept on the floor at the vet, next to his pet taxi, and the next morning when the vet arrived we agreed it was time.  I'm wondering if I'm mistaken about dehydration with this one.  He likes to lie on the ground like my other cat and that was because he was dehydrated (maybe this one likes the cool against his feverish body); the other cat was also weaker than this one  This cat has been urinating and this afternoon I went to the kitchen where he meowed a few times at me.  He has a desire to eat, unlike the other cat.  It's just that nothing tastes good.  He followed me to the sink where I washed a bowl for him and he kept rubbing against my legs - something I was missing, because he does it a lot, unlike my other two cats.  Oh and he ate a little dry food earlier today, after my last reply.

I gave him the Fancy Feast Broths, he licked a lot of the liquid, then he walked over to me to rub/stand against me.  I bent down to pet him and he gave me a purr!  I was missing that, too.  Then he went back to the bowl for a little more.  As I walked away toward the other room, he followed.  His eyes were so fixed on me.  If I know nothing else, I know he loves me.  He has always been crazy about me. LOL

He seems improved right now and just jumped from furniture to furniture to his favorite chair.  I just worry about that belly that seems to be bigger today. 

I really appreciate all the feedback and being able to vent.  It has helped so - thank you, all.

He's doing so much better - truly a miracle.  No, his belly hasn't gone down, but his eating has improved a lot.  I gave him tuna water and pieces of tuna which he loved; he'd eat a little of it then move to the dry food, even though there was still tuna on the plate.  He's also more alert and active, plus he urinated again.  He playfully rubbed against one of the other cats tonight and went upstairs on his own; he's also grooming himself.  I just returned from the store with more food and he came running down for it.  He ate quite a bit, much more than he'd eaten during the day.  He's clearly not ready to die, so my plan is to see if the vet can drain his belly tomorrow. 

We're back, but no draining. Vet said he's still got a temp of 105 and is anemic. He said putting him under anesthesia right now might not be a good thing. He also said that the other vet had extracted fluid using an ultrasound guided syringe, but he doesn't have an ultrasound. So, he gave my cat 3 shots: a non steroidal anti inflammatory, an antibiotic, and B12. He gave me some pills to give daily and some high calorie food. I'm to offer it to him in an hour and if he doesn't eat it, then I can mix with water and give via a feeding syringe into his mouth. I think one of the shots was supposed to help improve his appetite; the pills are diuretics to help him pass the fluid.

Now they're telling me to quarantine him, because he's highly contagious. Great.  From what I read they are contagious before they shows signs or symptoms. He loves being with the others and really it's too late since they eat and drink from the same dishes and use the same litter box.

He hasn't eaten today, but lapped a little broth from food and drank well from the water bowl.  When we got home, he rubbed against my legs as I washed his bowl and he was purring when I knelt down to give him his diuretic.