FIP and other cats

I would say to isolate the FIP cat. At my shelter we immediately isolate any cat with symptoms because we had an epidemic last year and lost almost every single kitten to FIP, just no matter what we did, it got completely out of hand and we would come in in the morning and there would be dead kittens. It was sooo sad, but I believe our vet tech just quit right before it happened and we were in the process of finding another vet to work with. It was a mess.

So now, if one is found to have FIP, sadly it is euthanized because it is either lose one definately or run the risk of losing them all. Sad yes, but it is so hard to control a disease in an overcrowded shelter...

I've noticed Julian hasn't been eating very much, and I would like to ask about the signs of slowing down. And when we should seriously consider putting him to sleep. He shows no signs of pain or discomfort, as I have said. but I know cats hide their pain well. He's always purring and kneeding and just being sweet, so I don't think he's in pain. One thing I just noticed is that he isn't cleaning his behind too much, as he has an odor back there.

Originally Posted by iarecrystal

I've noticed Julian hasn't been eating very much, and I would like to ask about the signs of slowing down. And when we should seriously consider putting him to sleep. He shows no signs of pain or discomfort, as I have said. but I know cats hide their pain well. He's always purring and kneeding and just being sweet, so I don't think he's in pain. One thing I just noticed is that he isn't cleaning his behind too much, as he has an odor back there.

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It is so hard. You will just know. I have to put my 9 month old Averee down in May after hand raising her. She too had FIP. It was so hard. She purred, and was so loving. I just couldn't put her through it anymore!!! My thoughts are with you!
Here is a great website I found when I lost Averee to FIP. www.orionfoundation.com If you would like to see Averee's story go to the memorials on page 21... I know this is very hard. I am so truely sorry!!

I am so sorry to hear about your kitty Averee, she looks adorable.

I asked because I have this feeling about Julian. He seems like he is just fine and dandy, but I think he's not. I just hate looking at him everyday and knowing that he's not going to make it. I want him to go already because I know I won't be able to handle it when it starts getting worse for him. I really don't want to watch him slowly go down hill. It would be another extremely hard thing to go through for me and my mom, because the "quality of life" situation is the same one we went through with my dad. His injury was so severe it left him in a vegetive state for about two months. In the end, we took him off his feeding tube because he was already at his worst. And I don't know if I can handle it all over again.

I edited my last post, I tried to PM you but it wouldn't let me

When Mattie was very ill, as I pet down her back, her hips felt so bony. She slept most of the time. Although her belly was round, her hipbones were easily felt.

I was told that sometimes cats purr to hide their pain, so I believe I let Mattie go a day or two too long.

When my Mom was dying of a brain tumor, she was in hospice. Although they did what they could to keep her comfortable, they did not try to prolong her life. She kept eating and drinking almost to the end.

It sounds like your Dad's situation was different. That he was gone, and you and your Mom were left to make the decision on the feeding tube. How difficult that had to be!

With Julian, it is different. Although he is a vibrant living being, he is more like a child or baby than your Dad was. If you decide to put him to sleep now, no one will fault you. But if you want to give him one more day, or one more week, that is ok, too. If he is still active, and seems comfortable, it is ok to give it more time until you are sure. If you cannot tolerate watching your baby fade away, make the decision for him. Or see the vet again, and have them assess him for his level of pain.

Mattie was very peaceful. She slept alot at the end, but would come jump on my lap for a few minutes of loving. She looked like crap, but I wasn't ready to let go just yet.

If his butt is stinky, buy some kitty wipes and wipe it for him. They didn't work to keep Mattie clean, but I imagine they will keep his fanny clean! Hugs to you as you make this hard decision.

It is such an awful place to be in - I had a cat with FIP, and I had to isolate her - she enjoyed being outside, and hated being cooped up, looking back at it, I think she was depressed, so I don't know if her reluctance to eat was due to being cooped up or her illness. I let her go on for 2 weeks after the diagnosis, but she was loosing so much weight that I didn't want to prolong things for her, I did make the appointment for a Mon though, so I had a whole weekend to spend with her.

Originally Posted by booktigger

It is such an awful place to be in - I had a cat with FIP, and I had to isolate her - she enjoyed being outside, and hated being cooped up, looking back at it, I think she was depressed, so I don't know if her reluctance to eat was due to being cooped up or her illness. I let her go on for 2 weeks after the diagnosis, but she was loosing so much weight that I didn't want to prolong things for her, I did make the appointment for a Mon though, so I had a whole weekend to spend with her.

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I feel the same way. I couldn't stand seeing Julian get any worse, and it was definite that he was going to get worse, I couldn't stand watching him go down hill. Yesterday we put him to sleep. It's been so hard, because I wish he could've talked to me and tell me it was an okay thing to do. Because I am not sure. I am confused over everything and so sad that he had to go through the isolation. He was so young. It hurts me because I've been with this kitty since he was born, I watched his birth and I remember the memories where he would make us laugh just by being a cute kitty.

My mom and I burried him in our backyard next to Domino, a feral kitten that was run over near our house. This is just really hard. I can't manage to type any more.

I've been following this thread and I am so sorry for your loss...my heart goes out to you. Julian is not any pain or discomfort anymore...your decision was a hard one but I believe the correct one. FIP is a wicked one.

Sending you vibes to heal...

Condolences on your loss. Julian's picture in your signature is so cute! What a terrible illness FIP is, stealing our babies from us!

Julian spent his entire life loved by you, from birth to death. Although his life was not as long as you would have liked, at least it was a very happy life, spent being warm and cuddled and loved. I wish every cat could have such a happy life!

Rest in peace, baby Julian. You probably never knew how sick you were. You were protected from a painful end by a loving Mommy. Now you can dance, forever free, over the Rainbow Bridge!

So sorry to hear that, but with FIP, it is the kindest thing to do, it is such an awful disease. I think with an illness like that, it is kinder to let them go sooner, rather than watch them go downhill, as that isn't fair on them as there is no cure for the awful illness. RIP Julian.

Thank you, everyone. I haven't visited in a while because it's hard thinking about Julian.

I have a few pictures of him to share, if you guys don't mind.


This was when his stomach was starting to get big. He wasn't losing weight yet, he just had the stomach which we thought might've been worms.




He was sleeping alot an not playing like his siblings.




Feeding time. Julian is the 3rd from the left, you can tell his stomach was big there too.


I do actually have more, but I haven't gotten that camera developed. I took a few pictures of when he was really thin and bloated. He looked terrible. I'll post those maybe when I get them.

again, thanks everyone for the support.

I'm glad you posted the photos of Julian, what a truly sweet little boy. Smudge was PTS on October 25, and I haven't been to your thread because of the switching of the servers here on TCS. I hope all your other babies are doing well. I have photos of Smudge, but it's a little hard for me to look at them yet. My daughter took him outside on his last day, and he had a nice time in the grass. Again, I'm so sorry.

Aww, he was such a gorgeous boy. Again, so sorry, FIP is so nasty. IT is a shame they can't find a cure for it.

what a beautiful kitten! I am so sorry to hear about your loss. currently I am experiencing a possible FIP kitten, and I already lost two kittens this year to this horrible disease. It's not fair that our vibrant sweet kittens are taken from us so soon, but just cherish the time you did have with him and he can always stay alive in your heart and mind. I still have their vet tags in my safe from Teeny and Stabby after I lost them...and I feel like if I can somehow make a difference with FIP, whether helping donate money or researching all I can, it will honor them in some way. I hope you never have to deal with FIP again. It's strange I never knew about htis disease all my life (I'm now almost 25) but we've always owned cats, and never ever had one so sick. This year has not been very good to our kitties...I can only cross my fingers that our Ginger does not have it, but I can't completely block out the possiblility.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your handsome Julian. What a gorgeous boy! I lost a kitten this summer to FIP; I sympathize with your pain. Making the decision to let my Little Man go was the hardest thing I have yet had to do...I felt like I was giving up on him, even though I had been advised by multiple vets there was nothing more I could do. And I waited until he was no longer enjoying being a kitten, so at least he had a few extra weeks to play and cuddle (his two favorite things). Last time I shared his story with someone who had lost a kitten to FIP, we took comfort in picturing the two of them together in heaven, running, playing & cuddling like they were not able to do very long in this world. I know that Julian has joined them & the 3 boys are having a fine old time. It's just those of us who loved them who are so sad. Again, my sympathy for your terrible loss.

Amanda