Saving Fluffy From FIP

Description

FIP is a genetic mutation of FCOV (Feline Coronavirus) and only certain cats can create the deadly mutation, but when they do, it is almost 100% fatal.

In October 2023, Fluffy (one of Phoebe's kittens) began sleeping in the kitchen near the food and water and did not move all day. I attributed her lethargy to a virus that was passing among the cats. However, when others had gotten past the symptoms, Fluffy had not improved.

Mid Nov Fluffy's pupils had been different sizes and she could barely walk. Sunday, Nov 19 she developed spasms and twitches.

I decided that her weird symptoms could be caused by the deadly FIP virus so I started diagnostic treatment (evaluating if the FIP med has any results) Mon Nov 20 and took her to the vet on Tues Nov 21.

The vet determined her symptoms to be neurological and she had a temperature.

A full blood panel and blood chemistry displayed markers indicative of FIP.

I also ordered an FCOV test which came back a few days later indicating she had the FCOV virus that must be present for FIP to develop.

FIP is not directly contagious, only the precursor FCOV virus is contagious and it must be present for a kitten or cat to develop FIP.

Untreated FIP can be fatal in as few as five weeks when symptoms begin.

Vets cannot prescribe any medication that is effective against FIP because the effective med is not licensed or available for veterinary use in the USA.

Cats that develop FIP often go undiagnosed because its symptoms are so nefarious and as a result, many die without the cause ever being known.

If a vet does suspect FIP, then euthanization is often recommended because FIP is untreatable with meds available to vets and the death it causes is a sad and unpleasant one.

The Grim Reaper was after Fluffy and I was distraught thinking this sweet, lovely girl was going to die very soon while I watched her deteriorate in front of me each day.

I could not accept that outcome and do nothing.

So to save this baby's life, I once again initiated the arduous 84-day and expensive, underground treatment for FIP.

Please share this post with your people and consider contributing to her care.

Fluffy Care costs to date: $3,496.17

$58.99 Initial Vet exam

$254.98 FCOV and Toxoplasmosa test 

$ 87.35 Feline Combo FeLV / FIV test

$102 Complete Blood Panel

$140.76  Blood Chemistry Panel

$51.33  Doxycycline

$2,688 for 84 days of GS treatment = $32 daily

 $102 Follow-up Complete Blood Panel

$140.76  Follow-up Blood Chemistry Panel