My kitty might have FIP

we took my fifteen year-old tabby to the vet tonight because his stomache is all swollen, and the vet is keeping him overnight. He did bloodwork, and will do x-rays in the morning. The vet said that he could have FIP...I just read an article on that and it was depressing! Anyone have any experience with this disease? Is it contagious to other cats?

I'm sorry, I hope its not FIP. I thought I've read that it is very contagious.

Big Hug to you.

Here's a few links to some FIP information. I do hope it's not FIP. I'm not 100% sure as to how contagious the disease is.

FIP Information - TCS

The Feline Advisory Bureau - FIP

Cornell Feline Health Centre - FIP

Winn Feline Foundation - Links to more information. Just scroll down to FIP listings

The Cat Group FIP Page - Very detailed

Newman Veterinary

Hope these help you in some way.

thanks for the info loveless and sicy...I did a search on FIP and now I am praying that it is something else. My hubby brought Sonny home to me on the day of the Loma Prieta Earthquake. He found him sitting in the driveway of his work that morning, four weeks old and very sick with a severe upper respitory infection. Our vet actually wanted to put him down on the spot, but Richie insisted, and we nursed him (baby bottle and all) back to health. I hope we can pull it off again.

I'm so sorry. My prayers are with you.

Oh god, what you must be going through right now!!.

I really hope it isn't FIP that your baby has. Let us know what the vet comes up with.

Well my vet says it could be a tumor, he drained a lot of fluid from his stomache and chest, and recommends we take him to a specialist for an ultrasound because it was too hard to see anything on the xrays. He says the alternative would be to go in and look for the tumor, but he doesn't think Sonny is up for that and the prognosis isn't good. So we will get the ultrasound and hope there is something that can be done.

I'm so sorry it wasnt better news At age 15 I probably wouldnt recommend exploritory surgery, if that is indeed what your vet was suggesting. Please keep us posted.

Well, Sonny is home...he is going to get the ultrasound on Thursday so we can find out what we're up against.

My kitty had his ultrasound yesterday and it is cancer and they say there is a spot near his heart. The vet will tell us today which kind it is. After the ultra sound they drained about a liter of fluid from his chest, and he was very woozy last night when he came home. We have some prednasone tablets for him, but the vet said that will only help for one kind of cancer...the other would require chemo therapy. We don't think that he can survive that. Well, I will do some research on the topic today. I just want to make him feel better, but am very afraid we are prolonging and increasing his suffering.

OMG you poor thing. I just don't know what to say, apart from i'm thinking of you.

Let us know what you decide with poor Sonny.

I am so sorry to hear abour poor Sonny. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your baby. I am sure you will make the right decision on what you need to do.

Oh no! I am so sorry. You and Sonny are in my thoughts

I'm so sorry! ((((((*hug*))))) to you and Sonny! Give your boy big *scritches* for me please!

thank you all for your kind words...the vet wasn't able to determine the type of cancer it is based on the tests and Sonny isn't doing well at all after having all of the fluid drained from his chest and stomache, and I don't know that the prednesone is helping at all. He doesn't want to eat or drink anything, but he is letting me drop water into his mouth with an eyedropper and ate a small amount of tuna today. He seems depressed and lethargic, so we know we will have to help him escape the pain.

I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. Prednisone is a steroid, it's use for cancer treatment is as an anti inflammatory. It is supposed to also stimulate the appetite and thirst. I haven't really seen any increase in either in my cat who is also on it. My kitty has cancer also, we are treating it with chemo and prednisone. So far we are having good results, it's been about 7 months since his diagnosis.I keep my fingers crossed however. My thoughts are with you, I know you have some difficult decisions ahead of you.

I started to write it but could not. Our boy is not suffering anymore. I held him and petted him as the vet took him away from the pain. We buried him in the backyard, and will never forget the time he spent here with us.

You poor thing! Sonny will remember all of the love you shared with him. May you RIP Sonny.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sonny is now in perfect health. Thank you for sharing this with us.