FIP or heart failure

[artsykathy]

I have an almost 7 month old kitten. He has developed a lot of abdominal swelling that I had him seen at our vet on 11/5/21 for. They x-rayed him and took fluid to look at and told me he had FIP but did mention possibility of cancer. I was told it's fatal and nothing they could do. So I came home and mourned all weekend until someone suggested a non-FDA medication which I sourced and found and started him on. About two days in, I wanted blood work so I decided to take him to a highly recommended vet in town. She has done a full panel of lab work, drawn the fluid and sent it for PCR and cytology tests. So the labs come back today. He's anemic, which she gave him a B12 shot yesterday. She said she could explain most of the lab irregularities pretty easily. The fluid has not come back yet but the ProBNP is pretty elevated which is a cardiac test. So now we are kind of questioning is it FIP or some sort of heart failure. The fluid is not in the lungs or around the heart but in the abdomen which kind of leans more towards FIP but the ProBNP elevation definitely suggests something going on with the heart. I asked her to see about getting me a cardiology appointment but it was the end of the day so that will have to be done tomorrow. Anyone got any insight? I'm kind of at a loss now. He's just such a sweet kitty, I want to save him and I'm doing all I can. Thanks

 

[tarasgirl06]

I have an almost 7 month old kitten. He has developed a lot of abdominal swelling that I had him seen at our vet on 11/5/21 for. They x-rayed him and took fluid to look at and told me he had FIP but did mention possibility of cancer. I was told it's fatal and nothing they could do. So I came home and mourned all weekend until someone suggested a non-FDA medication which I sourced and found and started him on. About two days in, I wanted blood work so I decided to take him to a highly recommended vet in town. She has done a full panel of lab work, drawn the fluid and sent it for PCR and cytology tests. So the labs come back today. He's anemic, which she gave him a B12 shot yesterday. She said she could explain most of the lab irregularities pretty easily. The fluid has not come back yet but the ProBNP is pretty elevated which is a cardiac test. So now we are kind of questioning is it FIP or some sort of heart failure. The fluid is not in the lungs or around the heart but in the abdomen which kind of leans more towards FIP but the ProBNP elevation definitely suggests something going on with the heart. I asked her to see about getting me a cardiology appointment but it was the end of the day so that will have to be done tomorrow. Anyone got any insight? I'm kind of at a loss now. He's just such a sweet kitty, I want to save him and I'm doing all I can. Thanks

Hello A artsykathy and sweet boy, and welcome to TCS! My beloved angel Sun had a very similar set of circumstances. He was diagnosed with dry-form FIP and B-12 was one therapy he was given, along with steroids and Immunoregulin. He was diagnosed at age 2 and lived to be almost 16, which in those times was a record. Another one of my beloved angels was diagnosed with HC (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) and given Rx, but I do not recall what it was, and have misplaced the record on that medication. She passed very suddenly in what I hope was her sleep, overnight, after a good and loved life. I do know that FIP can be difficult to diagnose and that there is a reported cure for it but it is very expensive and not FDA approved for US use. If you search "Cure for FIP in felines" you will find listings on the subject, which may or may not be of help to you.
My Sun had the intranasal vax (Leukocell) and after he passed, a very young kitten I adopted developed wet-form FIP, I believe as a result of this vax, and passed at under 3 months. I got her the vax after losing my Sun because I believed it to be the responsible thing to do, but my opinion changed after this happened and I have never gotten it for anyone since.
In the case of my Sun, the therapy of Immunoregulin, B12 and steroids was, I believe, very helpful in maintaining his health and his very good quality of life. You might want to discuss this, and the reported cure(s) with your kitten's doctor. Heartfelt *PRAYERS* for him and for you. I know it is a heartrending situation to be in.
If you are spiritual, I highly suggest praying for him as well as obtaining the best care possible. Please keep us informed as to his health and course of treatment.

 

[fionasmom]

You have faced a lot with your little kitty and this has to be very upsetting for both of you. It sounds like you are on the right track with having found a very competent vet and I would continue to assess this through her. I have never had an FIP cat, but have had cats, including one right now who is only 4, with heart conditions. The current one has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and I did ask for a referral to a veterinary cardiologist. Has anyone mentioned doing an ultrasound of the heart or an echocardiogram (formal name)? Your vet could order one and a cardiologist will certainly do one. For cats with this condition specifically, they are usually put on a blood thinner like Plavix and a blood pressure medication. However, the cardiologist we saw made some adjustments to that usual protocol. If there is a heart condition, you should see a specialist rather than letting a regular vet handle it if that is possible,

 

[artsykathy]

Hello A artsykathy and sweet boy, and welcome to TCS! My beloved angel Sun had a very similar set of circumstances. He was diagnosed with dry-form FIP and B-12 was one therapy he was given, along with steroids and Immunoregulin. He was diagnosed at age 2 and lived to be almost 16, which in those times was a record. Another one of my beloved angels was diagnosed with HC (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) and given Rx, but I do not recall what it was, and have misplaced the record on that medication. She passed very suddenly in what I hope was her sleep, overnight, after a good and loved life. I do know that FIP can be difficult to diagnose and that there is a reported cure for it but it is very expensive and not FDA approved for US use. If you search "Cure for FIP in felines" you will find listings on the subject, which may or may not be of help to you.
My Sun had the intranasal vax (Leukocell) and after he passed, a very young kitten I adopted developed wet-form FIP, I believe as a result of this vax, and passed at under 3 months. I got her the vax after losing my Sun because I believed it to be the responsible thing to do, but my opinion changed after this happened and I have never gotten it for anyone since.
In the case of my Sun, the therapy of Immunoregulin, B12 and steroids was, I believe, very helpful in maintaining his health and his very good quality of life. You might want to discuss this, and the reported cure(s) with your kitten's doctor. Heartfelt *PRAYERS* for him and for you. I know it is a heartrending situation to be in.
If you are spiritual, I highly suggest praying for him as well as obtaining the best care possible. Please keep us informed as to his health and course of treatment.

I do have him currently on a med for FIP. It is very very expensive, that's for sure. So he is being covered for FIP currently. We are trying to get an appointment with a cardiologist but they are booked so far out in my area. My vet is supposed to seek referral today and the one that has sooner openings is 1.5 hours away but I will gladly make the drive.

 

[artsykathy]

You have faced a lot with your little kitty and this has to be very upsetting for both of you. It sounds like you are on the right track with having found a very competent vet and I would continue to assess this through her. I have never had an FIP cat, but have had cats, including one right now who is only 4, with heart conditions. The current one has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and I did ask for a referral to a veterinary cardiologist. Has anyone mentioned doing an ultrasound of the heart or an echocardiogram (formal name)? Your vet could order one and a cardiologist will certainly do one. For cats with this condition specifically, they are usually put on a blood thinner like Plavix and a blood pressure medication. However, the cardiologist we saw made some adjustments to that usual protocol. If there is a heart condition, you should see a specialist rather than letting a regular vet handle it if that is possible,

Yes, we are working on getting a cardiology referral at the moment. I'm hoping we can go soon. I'm desperate for answers to the cardiac side of things. It may actually be cardiac instead of FIP.....either way I'm very sad for my buddy.