Concerned for my skinny kitten, swollen abdomen?

hhailey09

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Hello everyone! This is my first post but I am stressing and worrying my butt off about one of my kittens. His name is Beerus and we got him about a month and a half ago and he was plagued with an URI that has almost completely cleared up. He still has a stuffy nose. But recently I've noticed that he has had an aversion to food and has grown increasingly skinny and I can't tell if his belly is abnormally swollen or if it's normal (in comparison to how skinny he is :/) the other kitten we got is female and she was born in a different litter 6 days after beerus and she has grown and is larger and heavier than him now. Before he would eat if someone was standing with him and now he eats maybe 3 or four bites but it appears he has a hard time chewing it. (Purina kitten chow) so then I got canned food to try and get his appetite up and he wasn't having that either. So I got some canned tuna and he will lick it until it's dry and eat maybe a few pieces but that's it! I made a vet appointment for Saturday but I am just worried about my little guy and was hoping to hear opinions in case I should bring him in on an emergency visit. I have considered worms, and they said to bring in a stool sample. Buuutttt, I really haven't seen him use the litter box except for a #1! So then I thought maybe constipation. But I've also read about FIP and I'm just terrified and we need help :( thank you for taking the time to read this and help us out.
 

StefanZ

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Its clearly a vet errand as soon you can practically arrange it.   Cancer is rare with that young cats though.  But if you truly think hehasnt made nr 2 in that long time, its certailny an  ASAP emergency!

If you KNOW he is pooing now and than but not very often, here are the home remedies:  make sure he has enough with fluids:   give him some coldpressed olive or rapessed oil at every meal - almost any will do, but these are altho healthy nourishment in themselves.  Minerale oil is even more potent, for example fluid paraffine of food grade - but where to find it?

Some crushed unflavored pumpkin is good to regulate the bowel movements...

Otherwise, my almost  standing advice: raw goat milk, as fresh you can get.  May help in some cases with internal inflammations.   Other forms of goat milk are good  easily digested norishment, but its not the same potential edge.
 
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hhailey09

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I'm at the vet as we speak. Thank you very much for your response, if everything checks out here at the vet I will discuss adding those things you mentioned to his diet. Praying for the best and that I am overreacting!!
 

sharper43

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How did the vet visit go?

You said that he has a stuffy nose. That may be why he isn't eating. Some cars won't eat it they can't smell it. Skinny with swollen abdomen could also be due to round worms?
 
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hhailey09

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The vet was highly suspicious of FIP. I've been broken hearted and sobbing since. I have 2 other cats that I'm fearful of losing as well if that is the case. I didn't have any diagnostics done because my honey is on a short deployment and will be back tomorrow, and then we will go back together so I can understand more clearly what's going on. My kitten is 6 months old and hasn't gained even a pound since August. I had him treated for worms, but I'm not seeing any improvement. It's just so so sad. I've had cats all my life and never heard of FIP before.
 

sharper43

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I recently lost a cat to FIP, so I know how this feels. Keep him comfortable, warm and love on him. I had to take out a care credit to be able to afford the tests. I just felt it best to know for sure. You'll know when it's time.
 

fearlessbenjamn

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I know exactly how you feel..I was in your position about a month ago..I had to make the decision to put my 5mo old kitten Ringo to sleep due to FIP.. It all seemed so sudden and unexpected..My heart truly breaks for you..I am crying while I am typing this to you.  I miss my boy so much.  But I take GREAT comfort in the fact that he did not suffer..For a while I wondered if I ended things too soon but I read somewhere that it is better to be a week too early rather than a minute too late..You will do what is best for Beerus..You are truly in my thoughts
 
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hhailey09

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Thank you so very much. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. I appreciate your insight, my fear is also putting him down too early. But, he is really not eating a thing except a few treats here and there. And he's weakening. I think it will be very soon. Maybe tomorrow or the weekend. I have tears in my eyes and have been crying on and off since the vet appointment. It's a hard thing to feel like you are unable to save them. I am so sorry to hear about Ringo, now that I know what this feels like I never want anyone to feel the same way. Did you have tests ran on your little guy? I truly appreciate your kindness. I imprinted Beerus' paw in some homemade clay earlier. He is so precious to me but I need to spare him of suffering.
 

rubysmama

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@hhailey09  I'm crying as I read through this thread. I've never had a cat with FIP, in fact had never heard of it either until I found this site and began to see posts about kittens who had it, and never got to grow up. My heart breaks for you and your sweet baby Beerus. 
 

fearlessbenjamn

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I thought about you and Beerus on my way in to work this morning..I so understand the pain you are feeling..Beerus and Ringo had families who loved them and so many cats don't get to experience that.  I am so thankful that I was able to give him the home and life he deserved. Even knowing now how things would turn out, I would adopt him all over again. Beerus and Ringo were not meant to be on this earth long. I have reached a point where I can accept that and appreciate the time we did have together.  My husband and I now focus on our other 3 kitties and shower them with even more love and attention.  Truth be told, I worry myself to death that they would get it too..My vet assures me that they wont.  Fingers crossed

Please keep me updated on things and if you need to talk you can private message me.  It is totally ok to fall apart..I have on several occastions.  I take it one day at a time
 

di and bob

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I'm so very sorry you have to go through this, all of us understand the pain of not letting our little ones suffer needlessly.  I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers, please take comfort in knowing you gave that sweet boy love and comfort in his short life and made a difference in his life. I pray that you find the strength to spare him pain,you will take on his pain as your own broken heart.  Take care and know we are here for you.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Unfortunately, there are no tests that can tell you if it's100%  FIP or not.  FIP is a mutation of the Coronavirus, and Vets often say if a cat tests positive for THAT, then they have FIP.  That's not always the case.   Mainly they have to go by symptoms.  Does Beerus have a fever?   In every case I've heard of, the cats or kittens run a fever that doesn't go away with treatment.   

Of course your little guy is weakening...he's not eating.  That's a natural side effect.  And obviously something is wrong that he's not eating.  Is it FIP?  Possibly
  But, aside from worms, did your Vet give your any other possible options. One of our advisors, @catwoman707 unfortunately knows quite a bit about FIP, maybe she can add something here.

As far as your other cats, FIP hasn't proven to be contagious, if that's what it is, so they should be okay
 

catwoman707

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Gosh I am so sorry for the delay! We had our first storm and my power was out all day, then worked all night so just trying to get caught up now.

In your original post here, I saw the pic of your little boy, and hate to say it but I said to myself, looks like FIP..........

Such a cruel and sneaky virus, no reason, no notice, nothing, until outward signs show up and by then it has wreaked havoc internally.

His tummy should feel squishy, like a water balloon in a way, with a thicker outer layer though. If it gets too big the fluid will go upwards and affect his breathing, which means he is suffering.

So sorry, love him like mad, kisses and babying endlessly, then gently let him go.

You will be giving him the greatest gift, but your heart is breaking for the loss.

Think of his spirit, which never dies, and in great peace, without pain or sickness.

Don't worry about losing your other cats, while coronavirus is contagious, they are healthy and it will pass with out likely even noticing, if anything you might see one or both not feeling as good as usual for maybe a day, then it passes.

FIP is not contagious, it is an individual thing that happens, and I am sure in my heart it happens more easily to kittens exposed to URI's, and stress early in their lives as going to a shelter will do.

Very sorry.....
 
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