FIP Bloodwork Question

Hello! 3 days ago, I woke to notice that my 7 month old kitten had had a nose bleed in his sleep (not really severe, but there was blood on my bed next to where he was sleeping, and dried blood around his nose). He was also not acting like his normal, playful self, so I decided to bring him to our vet. He was running a fever, so they gave him an antibiotic injection. They also suggested I have blood work done just in case it was something more serious.

I got a call from the vet later on that day with the following results:

- Negative for FeLV and FIV

- Very low platelets (hence the nose bleed)

- Low red blood cells (anemia)

- Normal liver and kidney function

- Low neutrophils but normal overall white blood cell count

(there may have been more results that I missed because I was very upset during the phone call, but these were the major things I wrote down)

I brought him back that afternoon for a cortisol injection and was also given cortisol pills to give him daily. By Sunday evening, he was back to his normal playful self, and eating and drinking as usual. At our follow-up appointment on Monday, his fever was gone and no abnormalities were noted by the vet.

So my issue is this: our vet is convinced that my kitty has FIP, based on his blood work. However, his blood work results don't really seem to match what I've read about the disease online. Also, she told me that there was no fluid in his chest or abdomen at either appointment. We have another appointment booked next week for more blood work, and I'm hoping for better results. 

Can anybody give me their opinion on what might be going on with my kitty? We have been devastated by this terminal diagnosis, but we're also confused because he doesn't appear sick at all! Any advice or personal experience you guys can share with me would be greatly appreciated!!

I'm really sorry you haven't gotten an answer before now.  And on your first post, too!      It doesn't usually take so long to get a reply here.  I think some of the problem might be that no one who has read it so far knows how to answer your question.    I'll tag someone who might be able to help:  @catwoman707

Based on the results of your next weeks appointment and blood work, you might consider getting a second opinion.  This is often a good idea when given a terminal diagnosis anyway.  

I'm glad your kitty is feeling better after the cortisol shot and pills.  Fingers crossed you get better news next week.  

The fever, which was present in the beginning, and anemia is suspicious for fip, but fip fevers do not respond to antibiotic treatment.

However this may also be coincidence if the fever had been ongoing for longer then what you were aware of too, as fip will usually cause fever for no apparent reason, continue on as long as it does, but then drop down out of the blue too.

The anemia and low neutrophils can also be caused by fip. 

This is far too little of info to be able to suggest he does infact have a high likelihood of fip.

What I want to know, and if you can just call the vet and either ask specific questions about the blood panel results, or ask the receptionist to email you a copy of the results.

We are looking for protein content, and more importantly the globulin to albumin ratio.

This is probably one of the best determining factors of an fip diagnosis.

Fluid present is very good to help, but only in wet form of fip.

So if you can find out more info it will be very helpful.