FECV or FIP

Hi there,

My kitten has just been loosely diagnosed with FIP.  

His symptoms from what I know, and what I remember from the vets are as follows:

Weight loss - (4.5 months old)

"Borderline Aenemia" - 33%?

A:G Ratio - 0.5

Lethargy - He has been sleeping quite a bit and not wanting to play.

High white blood cell count?

Inflammation of the intestine - Or maybe a small growth?

My question is, could these all be symptoms of FECV (Feline Enteric Coronavirus)?  Is it possible for FECV to be fairly severe and cause all these things?  He has still been himself, he hasn't been meowing at me all the time.  He is pooping normally, no blood and it is solid.  He isn't eating or drinking very well.  He is only 4.5 months old so he should be eating quite a bit.  He is lazing around and not interested in playing, though he is still chasing bugs around the house and things like that.  

Thank you in advance for your advice.

I'm sorry no one has responded up to now.  That may be because it's hard to answer your questions.  One would be purely guessing.

FIP is a cruel, cruel disease, so let's hope it's not that .   Sadly, it seems lately that Vet's are quick to blame FIP on many things when they can't readily diagnose an illness.  Not saying that's the case here, but honestly, I'm not sure I see FIP in the symptoms here...not completely.   Yes, lack of appetite and lethargy are two of the symptoms, but they are also symptoms of lots of other things.  Every time a cat gets sick they seem to have those symptoms.  Of course, weight loss goes hand in hand with loss of appetite,   I can't say on the PCV (anemia) because that all depends on the lab.  High WBC could indicate an infection or inflammation.  Inflammation could even be caused by food!   

Is he running a fever.  I believe that is one BIG sign of FIP.

Check out this thread on it, maybe that will help.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/fip-in-cats

Thank you for the response.

So far there has been no fever, I think the biggest thing in their diagnosis is the growth on his intestine. He's only 4 and a half months old so it's too early for cancer I think. They did an ultrasound and it's a growth, not something stuck in it.

As far as anything I've ever read on FIP, it's always accompanied by a Fever, and not a growth in the abdomen, but fluid, if anything. Perhaps you should get a second opinion.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/fip-in-cats

I wonder if it could be a malformation of the intestine? 

I'm sorry to hear that. FIP is a scary diagnoses and not one that any cat owner wants to every hear out of a vets mouth. Did they test for Mycoplasma haemofelis anemia as well? It has similar symptoms. Did they give you any antibiotics on the chance that its a gram negative bacterial infection?

Mrsgreenjeens,
Doesn't non effusive FIP not involve any fluid? Is it possible to have bruising on a kittens intestines?

Mingsmongolis,
I think the biggest signifier for them is the growth on the abdomen. He's only 4 and a half months old so what else could the growth be?

A polyp, tumor, or cyst maybe. It could not be related to the other symptoms at all. I havent heard of FIP being associated with lumps like that but my knowledge in that area is lacking. Hopefully someone with more hands on knowledge of FIP will come along. The only thing I can say though is to try to rule out other conditions with similiar symptoms and maybe get a second opinion from an infectious disease vet at an accredited veternary hospital.

How are they treating the anemia?

Yes, you are correct that not all FIP is accompanies by fluid in the abdomen, but if there are issues with his abdomen and it's FIP, it would be fluid, not a mass.  (that's what I was trying say).  No matter what, though, my understanding is there would be a fever of unknown origin.  Does he have a fever?  That has not been mentioned as a symptom.