FIP diagnosis, advice needed

In article ,
enlightened us with...
Hi all,

My best friend's youngest cat, a Birman aged 15 months, was diagnosed
with FIP this morning (dry form).


Get a second opinion. FIP looks like many other things and the only true
way to tell is a biopsy.
My cat was diagnosed with FIP and she actually has a recurrent URI -
Feline Herpes aka Rhinotraceitis.

The vet based his diagnosis on a high titre value combined with blood
test results of kidney, liver and pancreas. On top of that, we learned
from his breeder that his littermate had to be put to sleep last week,
he was totally emanciated and had had a few fits. Unfortunately, she
had not asked the vet to do a PM. We learned from the breeder's vet
that he suspected FIP.


FIP is relatively rare and according to the most recent research, cannot
be transmitted cat to cat. What is transmitted is the virus which can
mutate INTO FIP, Coronovirus.
The most recent research is showing that FIP is a systemic disease that
is caused by a mutation of Coronavirus. Up to 90 percent of cats have
had Coronavirus, but few develop FIP. The cat gets Coronavirus, then the
virus changes in the cat. However, recent tests show that the cat sheds
only Coronavirus.
There is still much debate and a lot of old info on the 'net. If you do
research, pay attention to when the page was made.


We've heard about steroids to help fight infection and increase his
appetite (which at the moment is fine, now he's being pampered with
chicken and tuna).

Also, what can we expect to happen in the next few weeks or months?


If it truly is FIP, it is fatal. His organs will fail gradually. It is a
horrible death. I would not subject a cat to it, personally.
However, his symptoms may be from a different cause. My personal opinion
is that I would get him on antibiotics, such as Baytril, to combat
secondary infections, give subQ fluids if needed, and get him tested for
other possible illnesses. Has he been tested for FIV, FeLV, and
diabetes?
Also, give him vitamins and an appetite inducer such as Felovite or
Nutrical once a day to boost his immune system.

IANAV, so be sure to talk to several vets in your area and try
alt.med.veterinary for more specific and advanced opinions. If your
newsserver doesn't carry that one, you can get it through an online
service like Google or DejaNews.

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~kaeli~
There is no justification or rationalization
for mutilation. Ban declawing as inhumane.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
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