Please help....

GOOD! I mean not good for you but good your taking the right steps to get this terrible situation handled.
How are the Kittens?

Ella (the female) is fine. Izzy (our male) looks like he is on death's door.

Originally Posted by darincm

Ella (the female) is fine. Izzy (our male) looks like he is on death's door.

Click to expand...

Poor izzy. keep caring for him. Is his poop runny? eating wet food?
I know vet bills are nuts to begin with. maybe an overnight is needed.

Im a cheap person...there i said it , I wouldnt wanna part with a $700 maincoon..they are the most beautiful cats! Id take him in and see what could be done and how much it would cost. Also by looking online like you have been you can find ways to care for the cat without taking him in to the vet and spending lots of moolah.

Is Ella seperated from Izzy?

God bless your littles one

They are all together now - even my older female. We had them seperated for the first two weeks. At this point it makes no difference because they have had contact. Most cats carry the FIP virus anyway.

Oddly enough Izzy seems better this morning - he is a strange cat; always up & down - but that is characteristic of FIP

Another Update:
We noticed that he is peeing blood - we are taking him to the vet yet again. He actually peed in his water bowl

Still no word from the breeder. It's to bad....she is a fairly well known breeder in the GTA that will suffer a reputation hit after this

I'm so sorry this turned out this way... I'm sending vibes to your babies.

Keep us updated...

I'm sure you've already done some research on it, but here's a decent article:
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/FIP.html

This whole situation is awful! my heart goes out to you.

From what I understand, FIP is usually from a mutation of intestinal corona virus, which means all of her cats have been exposed to the corona virus, if not have it. If I was a "well-known breeder" I would consider that an emergency. Even though most cats get over the virus on their own, there's always the chance she's selling another kitten at this moment that will get as sick as yours ... whoever your breeder is, she hasn't handled this well at all, and her response is the type you expect from a BYBer.

Poor little Izzy. He'll be in my thoughts today.

Originally Posted by darincm

They are all together now - even my older female. We had them seperated for the first two weeks. At this point it makes no difference because they have had contact. Most cats carry the FIP virus anyway.

Oddly enough Izzy seems better this morning - he is a strange cat; always up & down - but that is characteristic of FIP

Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear about your kittens diagnosis. I'd like to point out for the GP reading this thread, that most cats don't carry the FIP virus. If they did, most cats would be dead. Many cats will test positive for a corona virus, present in their intestinal tract, but it's only rarely FIP. There are lots of corona viruses.
The only 100% positive way I know of to confirm FIP is to do a CFS test. Spinal fluid is removed and tested for the FIP corona virus. Vets can make educated guesses on the likelyhood of FIP infection, based on symptoms and blood tests, but they can't say for sure without doing the CFS.
I hope your breeder contacts you soon, so they can take measures to stop the loses at their cattery if they really don't know that FIP is involved with their cats.

Originally Posted by darincm

Another Update:
We noticed that he is peeing blood - we are taking him to the vet yet again. He actually peed in his water bowl

Still no word from the breeder. It's to bad....she is a fairly well known breeder in the GTA that will suffer a reputation hit after this

Click to expand...

I can think of at least 10 bad words to call that breeder...but I bet so have you.

Let us know what the vet says about you little boy. it is truly a shame your having to suffer like this, esp little izzy.

gosh this is horrible. i hope everything works out.

Originally Posted by Godiva

I'm so sorry this turned out this way... I'm sending vibes to your babies.

Keep us updated...

I'm sure you've already done some research on it, but here's a decent article:
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/FIP.html

Click to expand...

I wanted to second the reading of the article linked above.
I also am sorry to hear about Izzy, and your experience with your breeder. Just a note, FIP, can only be diagnosed through necropsy, and from what I have understood, it is one of the most misdiagnosed illnesses. That isn't saying he doesn't have FIP, just hoping that he doesn't.
I have also heard that once the corona virus mutates into FIP, that the cat is no longer contagious. I am not sure if this is fact or myth. I hope that is good news for Ella, and she stays healthy.
Again, I am so sorry for your Izzy, he will be in our thoughts and prayers. I hope everything turns out well for you.
Keep us updated.

Izzy is back from the vet - they had no idea why he was passing blood. Everything seemed fine. The next step would be expensive tests which we can't afford to pay.

The vet said to get him off all meds & keep an eye on him. He is bouncing around, but given his history that could change any second.

......still no word from the breeder.

Originally Posted by FamilytimeRags

Just a note, FIP, can only be diagnosed through necropsy, and from what I have understood, it is one of the most misdiagnosed illnesses.

Click to expand...

Yes, FIP is highly misdiagnosed, but necropsy isn't the only way for a positive diagnosis. See my post below. A CFS test will also rule it out or not, and this is done while the cat is still living. I think it's important that people are aware that this procedure exists. Most vet offices aren't equipped to do it and the cat needs to be taken to a University where Vet Medicine is taught.

Originally Posted by Kai Bengals

Yes, FIP is highly misdiagnosed, but necropsy isn't the only way for a positive diagnosis. See my post below. A CFS test will also rule it out or not, and this is done while the cat is still living. I think it's important that people are aware that this procedure exists. Most vet offices aren't equipped to do it and the cat needs to be taken to a University where Vet Medicine is taught.

Click to expand...

Thank you so much, Kai. This isn't something I was aware of. So far, nothing we have had to deal with, but I like staying up to date with these procedures. Is the CFS test conclusive, or is there still chance for error. How long has this procedure been done, and are there any risks involved? If you know of any links that will point me in the direction, I would enjoy reading them. We have OSU vet school close to us, I will have to check to see if they can perform this procedure.
I am happy to hear this procedure exists, thank you for another enlighting and educational experience here at TCS!!

Originally Posted by darincm

Izzy is back from the vet - they had no idea why he was passing blood. Everything seemed fine. The next step would be expensive tests which we can't afford to pay.

The vet said to get him off all meds & keep an eye on him. He is bouncing around, but given his history that could change any second.

......still no word from the breeder.

Click to expand...

well....all there is to do is wait.
Thank heaven that this little guy is strong enough.
I'd scan the vet bills and any testing done and email them it or if possible fax it to them. show them exactly what it is your going through, even if they dont respond curiosity will get them to read it and well thats a start. Maybe they have a guilty concious and they will feel terrible and do something about it. but my optimism in people is often wrong and not all people are good natured.
Keep your head up! high-five izzys little paw for me! tell him good job for stayin alive!!!

I don't know about Canada (that is where you said you're from, right? ), but you may want to send them a registered letter (or equivalent), with all of the email information in it, and copies of the vet bills, with each problem identified and diagnosis if possible, so you have proof that they have been informed of the problem, should it go to court. Otherwise, they may be able to say that they were unaware, and you're just crazy, they didn't talk to you. (Too much "Judge Judy", I know !)

I hope he gets all better, really soon!

I wish breeders were forced to be registered with an association that could mediate these types of problems. I will be taking them to court, but it will take time & be a pain.

Originally Posted by darincm

I wish breeders were forced to be registered with an association that could mediate these types of problems. I will be taking them to court, but it will take time & be a pain.

Click to expand...

I feel for you

Maybe if that breeder new that they had an entire thread on this site discussing just how horrible they've treated you--since they aren't getting things right for ethical reasons, maybe embarrassment or fear of loosing reputation could help prompt them to do the right thing. I mean, cat people from around the world read this site.

Although they aren't mentioned by name, I'd imagine they'd have the fear that people in your town would be curious as to whom they are.

It is apparent that you began this link as a cry for help, not to be malicious toward them. But your pain and distress is apparent when you discuss what you've been through. They'd have to have hearts of stone not to want to do something.

Just a thought.