FIV?

Hello all,
I have beautiful cat appropriately named 'Friend' that may have come
down with FIP. He's a loving friend, never having seen a lap he didn't
like (even on non cat-lovers). My other four cats, while I love them,
only notice my existence upon feeding time.

Already at the severe disadvantage of having FIV (from his previous
outdoor life before rescuing by the wonderful people who I got him
from), he began to show some slight signs of problems a few months ago,
sleeping more, less activity (although never very actie) and more
clearly defined backbone showing (usually a sign of weight loss). A
visit to the vet seven weeks ago showed no weight loss and normal blood
values. This vet is very experienced and very knowledgeable. Last week
I noticed Friend had not been eating a lot and his backbone and
shoulders were more defined. His weight was still the same and blood
still normal. A few days later I took him back because of fluid buildup
in his abdomen. An ultrasound was done this week as well as more blood
panels and fluid analysis and the vet believes Friend has FIP (not
pancreatitis which was also suspected).
I've pretty much resigned myself to letting Friend go in the next
few days, but I wanted to run this by some people to see whether any
other possibility is out there. Today I had his abdomen drained to
possibly give him some relief, but nothing seems to have changed. I'm
currently force-feeding him A/D. He has eaten a very small amount every
day, but not nearly enough. The force-feedings seems to make him more
resistant to food. He is very lethargic and getting weaker, although he
can barely jump on the couch and climbed a flight of stairs today. Most
of the time he is crouched on the floor or couch, with his head lifted.
Occasionally he'll lie on his side. He'll lie beside me, but does not
knead anymore. He responds slightly to scratching of the chin.
I'm currently giving him Pepcid, Cyroheptadine, and Baytril but
nothing else. Below are the results of his tests, summarized:

Blood work (only high or low values): Total bilirubin 0.9, Albumin
2.0, BUN 10, Calcium 7.6, Amylase 1773, Triglyceride 244, RBC 5.9, HGB
8.3, HCT 26, Bands 204, Neutrophils 9282, Lymphocytes 612. FCV IFA at
1:400 is less than 1:400. FCV IFA at 1:1600 is negative.

Fluid evaluation (quoted from the lab): Peripheral blood had elevated
globulins at 7.6 and total protein of 10.4 with increased amylase.
Description: The slides and cytospin are adequately cellular and
contain neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and mesothelial cells.
The mesothelial cells are reactive and the neutrophils are in good
morphologic shape. No bacteria or other infectious agents are
observed, nor are any neoplastic cells seen. Microscopic Findings:
Modified transudate, probably FIP. Comments: this type of effusion may
be caused by cardiac disease, space occupying lesions, live disease,
FIP or neoplasia. The presence of a peripheral hyperglobulinemia is
also suggestive of FIP. Many neoplasms fail to exfoliate cells into
the transudative fluid. Ultrasonography may be helpful in determining
if a mass is present. A FIP-PCR test may be helpful in diagnosis.

Since my vet has already done an ultrasound, he's already ruled out
cardiac disease, etc.

I guess it's FIP, but I'm just checking for other options.
Considering the quick progression this week, I don't look for him to be
around long, but I also don't want to see him suffer. A previous post
mentioned their vet saying that the time to go is when the cat isn't
grooming himself (Friend did this afternoon, but only briefly on the
leg, but he never did much anyway), when he isn't eating (Friend has
today, but only a little. He's always been a loving Hog!) and when he
doesn't show affection. He shows affection, still coming to me when I
sit on the couch, but only a little. He's breathing ok, so that's not
an issue. I'm certainly not wanting to hurry up and let him go, but I
don't think his current state, which not really meeting any of the
criteria, shows that the time may be now. He certainly has no quality
of life (and lets me know what he thinks when I force-feed him, even
though he keeps it down).


Any input or help from other cat lovers would certainly be appreciated.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

Big_Fan wrote:
Hello all,
I have beautiful cat appropriately named 'Friend' that may have come
down with FIP. He's a loving friend, never having seen a lap he didn't
like (even on non cat-lovers). My other four cats, while I love them,
only notice my existence upon feeding time.

I'm sorry no one answered you with help. I know next to nothing about
FIP or FIV, or I would have tried to help.

Keep trying. There are other cat groups that may have more info. There's
also an alt.met.veterinary group.

Rhonda

Big_Fan wrote:

Thanks to everyone for your help.

Big_Fan wrote:

Hello all,
I have beautiful cat appropriately named 'Friend' that may have come
down with FIP. He's a loving friend, never having seen a lap he didn't
like (even on non cat-lovers). My other four cats, while I love them,
only notice my existence upon feeding time.