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Advice needed for a friend... - Codysmom - 06-11-2019

As I have not personal experience with this I'm looking for advice for a friend of mine who lives in the same city and who has the older sister of Fozzy and Katy her cats name is Kylie, has just has just been diagnosed FIP, she now has to consider how long she will keep her kitty with her or when she should let her go. 

I know that you Rebecca, have sadly had experience with this. Is there any advice/help anyone has that I can pass on to my friend. She's absolutely devasted as am I. Kylie is only 7 years old she was from the litter just before the Twins. A few weeks ago Kylie had escaped from the house for about two hours and the vet thinks that she possibly could have come into contact with the Corona virus then. There are a number of cats roaming around the area and as Kylie is an 'only' indoor cat I can't imagine where else she could have picked up this horrible virus!?

This is beautiful Kylie...I took this photo of her in 2014. 

[Image: 48042547102_e3633f16a0_c.jpg]

RE: Advice need for a friend... - Tikismom - 06-11-2019

That's so sad Colleen. What a pretty girl.
The little I know about FIP is that CV in cats is as common as the common cold is in people and nearly all cats have been exposed to it. Sadly in a small percentage, about 5% is what I recall, it will mutate into FIP and they're not sure why although there is ongoing research into the cause.My thoughts are with your friend. Hopefully someone will have some advice but it's always been my experience that animals live in the moment and if she's comfortable then that's what matters. I've always just known when it was time, they "told" me.
Here's an article from Cornell:
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-infectious-peritonitis

RE: Advice need for a friend... - Codysmom - 06-11-2019

Thank you for the info Larissa, it's been really difficult. She phoned me the other evening and I could hear how anxious and concerned she felt about Kylie. I told her I'll pass on any info/help I get. x

RE: Advice need for a friend... - RaggyMomma - 06-11-2019

I am sorry to hear of this diagnoses - strange I thought this year I was going to do a facebook fundraiser for my birthday next month, just for this cause.

honestly I would have the vet check other things, as it can mimic other disease. Most cats have already been exposed to the Corona virus as young in a breeders home, unless the breeder followed Dr Diane Addy's protocols. Is it wet fip or dry fip. How much is she willing to spend? There are treatments that seem to work depending on type, but are available at a high price in the US. I haven't been keeping up to date on such things as it still breaks my heart.
There is an fip group on facebook, that might have more up to date suggestions.
AS to how long, that depends on quality of life.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fipfighters/

I have also tagged you in a photo from Susan Gingrich re the current brochure from the Bria Fund.

RE: Advice need for a friend... - JanH - 06-12-2019

There is no certain diagnosis of FIP, so do not act just based on the diagnosis. So called FIP tests are for CV titers and a cat without FIP is likely to have CV titers. Push to look for treatments/meds in case it is not FIP.

There have been advances in research on FIP. Look into treatments that may not have been finalized, but that look promising. The SockFIP research at UC Davis has reported positive initial results for some FIP cases. It may be possible to use those meds off label.

Do not confuse the owner reaction to that of the cat, so “quality of life” reasons need to be considered with care. That a cat cannot run and play does not mean that is even missed. A cat may get enough quality from sleeping in a warm spot or from being held.

Sick cats stop eating. You have to decide how far to go with syringe or tube feeding. Cats who fight a syringe may be fine being tube fed.

Our FIP cat died peacefully. If one is afraid of discomfort, then consider having pain med on hand to use if really needed.

This is the part of having cats that is a real trial. The key is to realistically evaluate the current condition of the cat and not let our own distress and anxiety push us to decide to prematurely give up.

Good luck to your friend and her Ragdoll.

RE: Advice need for a friend... - RaggyMomma - 06-12-2019

(06-12-2019, 05:52 AM)JanH Wrote: There is no certain diagnosis of FIP, so do not act just based on the diagnosis. So called FIP tests are for CV titers and a cat without FIP is likely to have CV titers. Push to look for treatments/meds in case it is not FIP.

There have been advances in research on FIP. Look into treatments that may not have been finalized, but that look promising. The SockFIP research at UC Davis has reported positive initial results for some FIP cases. It may be possible to use those meds off label.

Do not confuse the owner reaction to that of the cat, so “quality of life” reasons need to be considered with care. That a cat cannot run and play does not mean that is even missed. A cat may get enough quality from sleeping in a warm spot or from being held.

Sick cats stop eating. You have to decide how far to go with syringe or tube feeding. Cats who fight a syringe may be fine being tube fed.

Our FIP cat died peacefully. If one is afraid of discomfort, then consider having pain med on hand to use if really needed.

This is the part of having cats that is a real trial. The key is to realistically evaluate the current condition of the cat and not let our own distress and anxiety push us to decide to prematurely give up.

Good luck to your friend and her Ragdoll.
Great advice JanH as always. 
 I should have qualified my statement of quality of life, I was emotional as this subject tends to make me, when I type my response, not thinking of other peoples view of quality. Thank you for clarifying.

RE: Advice need for a friend... - JanH - 06-12-2019

My comment was not to specifically counter yours and, in fact, quality of life (absence of pain) is key. ; )

However, for all of us, it is very hard not to transfer our own distress to the cat and to focus on what the cat is not NOW interested in doing or able to do.

I will also pass along a piece of our vet's advice. Absent intense distress, focus on three day periods, since sick cats can have bad days and then do better.

RE: Advice need for a friend... - Codysmom - 06-12-2019

Thank you so much for everyone's input, it is such an emotional time and all your support and advice is so appreciated.

RE: Advice needed for a friend... - Tikismom - 06-16-2019

How is Kylie doing?

RE: Advice needed for a friend... - Smudge's Mom - 06-20-2019

I have had no personal experience with FIP so am just adding my good wishes for Kylie. I do know that almost every cat has been exposed to the corona virus and will test positive. Fingers crossed that it has not mutated.