Reminder about FIP fatality and letting go

I have read the wonderful information in these forums about FIP (feline infectious perotonitis), but the threads are pretty old. I just want to say here, on a newer thread, that I adopted an 8 week old kitty in 2000 from the ASPCA which at that time had bad diarreaha and sniffles, but those folks let me take him thinking it was "pound poopies".

He was a terrific little guy, living life to the full, but he didn't get better on physically-but worse- and my two other cats started getting ill too. Thankfully my vet is not only a top grad of Cornell's premier veterinary school, but a holistic approach practitioner, too, and though he was quite afraid that we were facing FIP, he at first recommended "alternative" approaches (rather than medicines or invasive procedures).

He explained that while it is still a mystery, it appears that only about 10% of cats seem to be susceptible to the ravages of FIP virus, whilst most get sick for sure but do not get the full-blown fatal version. And even then, only the very young and older cats seem to fall fatally from it.

Obviously, we were concerned my two other cats might be amongst that small percentage, and oh my, it was devastating to even ponder. The only upside was the likelihood of that genetic predisposition with the two other cats NOT being the case was in our favor, and the fact that the two grown cats were were 5 and 7.

Yet as Sun's belly swelled it became clear that he must have the wet form of FIP, and though he was still trying to romp around just fine, my vet counseled me to put him to rest BEFORE he became enveloped in excruciating pain. It was a devastating, but ultimately decent and ethical thing to do- to think of his comfort as opposed to my loss of such a sport.

I write this because I read of the heroics folks sometimes attempt in an effort to squeeze out the last bit of lifetime in their kitty, when realistically the humane course of letting go is, while often excruciatingly difficult, essentially the kindest and most fair thing to do. I happen to feel the same way about suffering humans being allowed to bow out as a right- instead of it being a crime.

Sun wasn't totally disabled- YET- but my vet counseled let him sleep now before he feels that wickedly painful horror of more advanced FIP. As reluctant as I was, I followed his advice, and believe it was the spiritually attuned course overall.

My other boys did not remain sick, but they sure grieved the loss of their little pal. That was heart-wrenching to witness, but in telling them why Sun left and where he went, I truly believe they understood the situation deep down. And that they'll never suffer needlessly either....

Originally Posted by KitKatMom

Yet as Sun's belly swelled it became clear that he must have the wet form of FIP, and though he was still trying to romp around just fine, my vet counseled me to put him to rest BEFORE he became enveloped in excruciating pain. It was a devastating, but ultimately decent and ethical thing to do- to think of his comfort as opposed to my loss of such a sport.

I write this because I read of the heroics folks sometimes attempt in an effort to squeeze out the last bit of lifetime in their kitty, when realistically the humane course of letting go is, while often excruciatingly difficult, essentially the kindest and most fair thing to do. I happen to feel the same way about suffering humans being allowed to bow out as a right- instead of it being a crime.

Sun wasn't totally disabled- YET- but my vet counseled let him sleep now before he feels that wickedly painful horror of more advanced FIP. As reluctant as I was, I followed his advice

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Thank you so much for sharing Sun's story with us. In my opinion when you made the very difficult decision to follow the vet's advice, you gave Sun the greatest act of kindness that can ever be given to an animal. You're an .

My goodness, you had a hard choice to make. Your kitten was lucky that you are brave enough to face up to it. I know people who hang on too long, as you describe, and I do agree that it can be worse to let your pet hang on and on, degenerating all the time.

Please give your two cats a big hug!

Sue

Bless you for the courage to make the heart-wrenching decision to spare Sun from an excruciating fate!! It was an act of love and selfless devotion and I applaud you for it. Your vet sounds like a truly enlightened person, and I'll bet quite a few humans wish that we could get such informed, compassionate medical care. I agree with you about a "right to die", but there are just so many voters who refuse to accept that death is a reality, always, and that for some people death is a release and a rescue.

I hope I never have to make the sad and tragic decision you did. I can only pray that if I do I will come to the same conclusion. You made the right choice as you know but it does not lessen the loss - in some ways may even hinder as it often comes with the 'what ifs' etc. You have a very kind and thoughtful vet, a complete treasure! Little Sun surely came to the right place when he picked you - 4 years of love and caring is a lot more than some.
Take care - you are in my thoughts

My condolences for Sun, RIP...

I'm very sorry for your loss, KitKatMom. I know what you were going through. A similar thing happened with my dog about a year ago. He was very old, had arthritis, then was diagnosed with heartworms. The vet he was filled to the brim with worms. We decided to try to beat it. All Thunder was doing was coughing and was a little lethargic. Little did we know that reversing his heartworms would, not only cost a LOT, but that it would be hard on him, and us to see him go through it. Thunder died last June 19 due to complications. I feel so bad all the time that he had to suffer so much before he passed. He was very much loved, and I know he could feel that, but, I still feel horrible for the pain he felt. I remember, sitting there, watching him lay there. Then, I'd turn my attention elsewhere, and look back. I can't count the number of times I checked to see if he was breathing. And he always was, until that one fateful morning, when I called him to check on him, at 3:30 AM, and he did not respond. Like I said above, I felt horrible that he had to go through so much pain, so that he wouldn't die, just so he did die. I miss my "puppy", as I called him, though he was 13, very very much. And I will never forget my dearest Thunder!
You made the right decision.


In Loving Memory of My Dear Sweet Puppy, Thunder.