Our boy was just diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis. Fatal. We're taking him into the vet on Tuesday. Another vet recommended trying pentoxifylline -- does anyone know anything about it? It's supposed to work as an anti-inflamatory, and might give him more time. I won't put my little guy through anything traumatic -- he's gone through enough.
Velvet Elvis has FIP
- Thread starter Raineycat
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jt and trouble (GA)
Very Active Member
No advice to give just SO sorry. I know that feeling when our babies have been through enough...It is gut wrenching. Sending prayers for strength, guidance, peace.
jeanne
jeanne
If it's dry FIP there is a study going on through University of Tennessee. Dr. Legendre. If you do a google search for him you will probably see the info. One of the FIP groups at yahoogroups has info on the study, I just don't remember which group though. I think if you look for a poster named "Oscar Birman" she has info on that study.
Deb415andNikki
Active Member
My dearest Rainey, and, of course, you too, sweet precious Velvet Elvis,
My heart hurts for yours...
Is his vet sure of the diagnosis? FIP can be difficult to definitively diagnose...
Ali, another sugar cat here has recently been diagnosed FIP. There's some good links, information, and discussion on Wubby379's post:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=41010
There are palliative cares, dearest Rainey. I know you don't want to put your brave furry boy through any angst or discomfort; but, he could still share good times and memories with you...
I believe in my heart they let us know when it's time...
Holding you all ever so close in my heart, thoughts, and prayers...
Much love and countless hopeful, gentle hugs for you all,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever whispering in my heart...
My heart hurts for yours...
Is his vet sure of the diagnosis? FIP can be difficult to definitively diagnose...
Ali, another sugar cat here has recently been diagnosed FIP. There's some good links, information, and discussion on Wubby379's post:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=41010
There are palliative cares, dearest Rainey. I know you don't want to put your brave furry boy through any angst or discomfort; but, he could still share good times and memories with you...
I believe in my heart they let us know when it's time...
Holding you all ever so close in my heart, thoughts, and prayers...
Much love and countless hopeful, gentle hugs for you all,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever whispering in my heart...
((((Rainey)))) In my opinion, FIP is the worst disease a cat can have. I lost a kitten to a condition that started with a fever of unknown origin that started shortly after she got her FeLV vaccine. Two different vets tried to diagnose the problem, and though they considered whether it could be dry FIP, they could not diagnose her condition. Even a necropsy would not have told us whether it was FIP.
The point of my story is to ask you to consider whether Elvis has been properly diagnosed with FIP. I have read all your posts and I have chatted with you by email and phone. I know how hard you have fought and will fight for Elvis, and that you are willing and able to research on the Internet. Here are two sites that discuss FIP. Here and here.
What vet is diagnosing FIP? (I know that you have had trouble with your local vet.)
What test results, conditions, and clinical symptoms have led the vet to diagnose FIP?
What are Elvis's clinical symptoms at this time.
Maybe I am in denial (as I often am), but I so hope this is not FIP or anything else that will take Elvis from you. I know how dear he is to you.
There are several Yahoo Groups for FIP. Just as the Board has a lot of experience with feline diabetes, those Group have vast experience with FIP. You can search Yahoo Groups for FIP, but three of the groups are: FIP Support, FIPCatSupport, and FIP.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your husband, and Velvet Elvis.
The point of my story is to ask you to consider whether Elvis has been properly diagnosed with FIP. I have read all your posts and I have chatted with you by email and phone. I know how hard you have fought and will fight for Elvis, and that you are willing and able to research on the Internet. Here are two sites that discuss FIP. Here and here.
What vet is diagnosing FIP? (I know that you have had trouble with your local vet.)
What test results, conditions, and clinical symptoms have led the vet to diagnose FIP?
What are Elvis's clinical symptoms at this time.
Maybe I am in denial (as I often am), but I so hope this is not FIP or anything else that will take Elvis from you. I know how dear he is to you.
There are several Yahoo Groups for FIP. Just as the Board has a lot of experience with feline diabetes, those Group have vast experience with FIP. You can search Yahoo Groups for FIP, but three of the groups are: FIP Support, FIPCatSupport, and FIP.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your husband, and Velvet Elvis.
I don't want to give you false hope but it is mis diagnosed a lot. There is another thread on this I have been posting to. I work a lot with Ferals and fip is an everyday thing sadly.
Here is a web site that may help below. first find out if it is fip.
Any way here is the website.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4629674_tell-cats-fip-diagnosis-accurate.html
here is some of the info I am putting it here so other read it also. So many people are mis=informed about this very scary virus. i am also putting it here because when my suzie was sick and people posted urls i followed some of them but nit most. there was just to much going on to much info.
More cats are euthanized due to a misdiagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) than due to a correct diagnosis. If your cat is diagnosed with FIP, it is your responsibility to find out if the diagnosis is correct. Many cats are put to sleep or allowed to suffer from an unrelated disease because of a misdiagnosis of FIP. Use these tips to assess whether the diagnosis of your pet is likely to be accurate. If there is even one sign which does not line up, getting a second opinion can save your kitty's life.
Instructions
things you'll need:
your kitty's blood test results
1
1) POSTIIVE FIP TEST (TITER > 1:160) - Most misdiagnoses occur because of the FIP/FCoV Test. A positive score on an FIP test does NOT mean your kitty has FIP (the only true way to diagnose FIP is through biopsy). The misnamed "FIP TEST" actually tests for antibodies to the common Feline Coronavirus which 50-90% of cats in multi-cat households have. FIP is a mutated form of this virus and tends to effect kitties with low immune systems. This test is really only accurate by itself when used on a healthy cat to distinguish if it is carrying Coronavirus before introducing it to a cattery or as a breeder. It is 1 of the signs that your kitty COULD be carrying the mutated form of the CoronaVirus - FIP.
2
2) HIGH GLOBULIN LEVEL > 5.1 gm/dl - Cats with FIP commonly have high globulin levels. This is one of the critical indicators that you can check by looking at your kitty's blood test results.
3
3) LOW LYMPHOCYTES - Check your kitties lymphocyte level. Low lymphocytes are an indicator of FIP.
4
LOOK AT THE STATISTICS: If your kitty does NOT meet EVERY single one of the three above criteria (POSITIVE FIP/FCoV, HIGH GLOBULIN, LOW LYMPHOCYTES) there is a 98.8% chance that your cat does NOT have FIP.
If your cat does meet all of the three criteria there is an 88.9% chance that your kitty is correctly diagnosed with FIP.
5
LOOK AT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If your cat does not meet the three criteria, get a second opinion immediately to find the correct cause of your kitty's illness. If your kitty DOES meet the criteria, there are more indicators you can look at. First is the ALBUMIN-GLOBULIN RATIO. If the albumin to globulin level is less than 0.8, there is a 92% statistical chance that the cat has FIP. If the ratio is greater than 0.8 there is a 61% chance the cat does not have FIP.
6
ADDITIONAL SCREENING TESTS - Most cats diagnosed with FIP are diagnosed based on a positive Titer score (which we know is not reliable). If your cat's diagnosis appears to be correct due to his blood tests as well, you may want to get a second more reliable test as a confirmation. In the resources section is a link to an online FIP support group. They will have recommendations regarding additional tests. One little known test is Rivalta's Tests. A negative Rivalta's test is 97% accurate in ruling out FIP. A positive test is 86% accurate in ruling in FIP. Another option if your cat is diagnosed w/ wet/effusive FIP is to get chest fluid drawn/tested. A different option is Immunofluorescent Coronavirus Staining of the Effusion. This is 100% accurate if positive, unfortunately if it is negative, there is only a 57% chance that your cat does NOT have FIP (so high percent of false negatives).
7
STAY CALM AND INFORMED - When your veterinarian tells you your loved kitty has FIP it is natural to feel devastated. Arm yourself with information, so you can make the best choices for your kitty. No matter what happens, FIP is not your fault! A lot of people are going through your situation. Use support groups to your advantage! When my kitty was diagnosed with FIP, I had over 20 loving responses within the night on 2 cat forums. Good luck. I hope this article has been helpful and I wish the best for you and your family!
Read more: How to Tell if Your Cat's FIP Diagnosis is Accurate | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4629674_tell-cats-fip-diagnosis-accurate.html
Here is a web site that may help below. first find out if it is fip.
Any way here is the website.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4629674_tell-cats-fip-diagnosis-accurate.html
here is some of the info I am putting it here so other read it also. So many people are mis=informed about this very scary virus. i am also putting it here because when my suzie was sick and people posted urls i followed some of them but nit most. there was just to much going on to much info.
More cats are euthanized due to a misdiagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) than due to a correct diagnosis. If your cat is diagnosed with FIP, it is your responsibility to find out if the diagnosis is correct. Many cats are put to sleep or allowed to suffer from an unrelated disease because of a misdiagnosis of FIP. Use these tips to assess whether the diagnosis of your pet is likely to be accurate. If there is even one sign which does not line up, getting a second opinion can save your kitty's life.
Instructions
things you'll need:
your kitty's blood test results
1
1) POSTIIVE FIP TEST (TITER > 1:160) - Most misdiagnoses occur because of the FIP/FCoV Test. A positive score on an FIP test does NOT mean your kitty has FIP (the only true way to diagnose FIP is through biopsy). The misnamed "FIP TEST" actually tests for antibodies to the common Feline Coronavirus which 50-90% of cats in multi-cat households have. FIP is a mutated form of this virus and tends to effect kitties with low immune systems. This test is really only accurate by itself when used on a healthy cat to distinguish if it is carrying Coronavirus before introducing it to a cattery or as a breeder. It is 1 of the signs that your kitty COULD be carrying the mutated form of the CoronaVirus - FIP.
2
2) HIGH GLOBULIN LEVEL > 5.1 gm/dl - Cats with FIP commonly have high globulin levels. This is one of the critical indicators that you can check by looking at your kitty's blood test results.
3
3) LOW LYMPHOCYTES - Check your kitties lymphocyte level. Low lymphocytes are an indicator of FIP.
4
LOOK AT THE STATISTICS: If your kitty does NOT meet EVERY single one of the three above criteria (POSITIVE FIP/FCoV, HIGH GLOBULIN, LOW LYMPHOCYTES) there is a 98.8% chance that your cat does NOT have FIP.
If your cat does meet all of the three criteria there is an 88.9% chance that your kitty is correctly diagnosed with FIP.
5
LOOK AT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If your cat does not meet the three criteria, get a second opinion immediately to find the correct cause of your kitty's illness. If your kitty DOES meet the criteria, there are more indicators you can look at. First is the ALBUMIN-GLOBULIN RATIO. If the albumin to globulin level is less than 0.8, there is a 92% statistical chance that the cat has FIP. If the ratio is greater than 0.8 there is a 61% chance the cat does not have FIP.
6
ADDITIONAL SCREENING TESTS - Most cats diagnosed with FIP are diagnosed based on a positive Titer score (which we know is not reliable). If your cat's diagnosis appears to be correct due to his blood tests as well, you may want to get a second more reliable test as a confirmation. In the resources section is a link to an online FIP support group. They will have recommendations regarding additional tests. One little known test is Rivalta's Tests. A negative Rivalta's test is 97% accurate in ruling out FIP. A positive test is 86% accurate in ruling in FIP. Another option if your cat is diagnosed w/ wet/effusive FIP is to get chest fluid drawn/tested. A different option is Immunofluorescent Coronavirus Staining of the Effusion. This is 100% accurate if positive, unfortunately if it is negative, there is only a 57% chance that your cat does NOT have FIP (so high percent of false negatives).
7
STAY CALM AND INFORMED - When your veterinarian tells you your loved kitty has FIP it is natural to feel devastated. Arm yourself with information, so you can make the best choices for your kitty. No matter what happens, FIP is not your fault! A lot of people are going through your situation. Use support groups to your advantage! When my kitty was diagnosed with FIP, I had over 20 loving responses within the night on 2 cat forums. Good luck. I hope this article has been helpful and I wish the best for you and your family!
Read more: How to Tell if Your Cat's FIP Diagnosis is Accurate | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4629674_tell-cats-fip-diagnosis-accurate.html
please also check out this page
fip if very tought but not impossible to treat as many people believe
http://www.dr-addie.com/treatment.htm#Interferon here is the first part of the page. please do check it out. i also e-mail dr fry. there is some natural we use that helps but i cna't recall the name of it. please excuse the typing lost part of a finger yesterday still adapting.
here is part of that web page i post it here to help but please go visit his website.
When I first came to Feline Infectious Peritonitis research, FIP was an incurable condition. Most reported "recoveries" were probably curable conditions wrongly diagnosed as FIP. With the introduction of feline interferon we now see a glimmer of hope: treatment can occasionally effect a remission, sometimes for months and about 25% of cases recover completely. However, a lot more work requires to be done. The emphasis must still be on totally preventing cats ever developing FIP in the first place, and on accurate diagnosis, so that cats with non-FIP conditions are not needlessly euthanased.
. . . . http://www.dr-addie.com/treatment.htm#Interferon
fip if very tought but not impossible to treat as many people believe
http://www.dr-addie.com/treatment.htm#Interferon here is the first part of the page. please do check it out. i also e-mail dr fry. there is some natural we use that helps but i cna't recall the name of it. please excuse the typing lost part of a finger yesterday still adapting.
here is part of that web page i post it here to help but please go visit his website.
When I first came to Feline Infectious Peritonitis research, FIP was an incurable condition. Most reported "recoveries" were probably curable conditions wrongly diagnosed as FIP. With the introduction of feline interferon we now see a glimmer of hope: treatment can occasionally effect a remission, sometimes for months and about 25% of cases recover completely. However, a lot more work requires to be done. The emphasis must still be on totally preventing cats ever developing FIP in the first place, and on accurate diagnosis, so that cats with non-FIP conditions are not needlessly euthanased.
. . . . http://www.dr-addie.com/treatment.htm#Interferon
here is Dr f repsonse I asked her what she gave to a friends cat that had FIP you can get it on line. it is a natural remedy. I have to get to work just look up cat transfer factor. then she left a not about the interferon just a quick one.
transfer factor ...
I think interferon is still available in USA but it has to be diluted down--I used to use it for FELV and FIV to help immune system.
transfer factor ...
I think interferon is still available in USA but it has to be diluted down--I used to use it for FELV and FIV to help immune system.
When I was doing research for immune system support, Rosemary, the list owner of WholeCatHealth, recommended the Transfer Factor Classic, not the Transfer Factor designed for cats. However, that may have changed.
PS the transfer fact isn't a cure if it is FIP THE ONLY THING THAT MIGHT CURE IT IS THE interferon. sorry about the caps.
here is a link that will tell you more about the transfer factor
http://transferfactor.com/us/faq
double check before using it though. it boosts the immune system and i am not sure you want to do that since fip goes puts the immune system into over drive. IF it is fip interferon is your best shot. i have posted a link in the other discussion we are having were you can get it but your vet shouldn't have a problem getting it and may already have it. it is used more for feline leukemia some vets are not familiar with using it for fip.
i was thinking about this over the morning as i was working. We use it for fvp. distemper and other things.
good luck to you both i will keep you in my good thoughts. prayers
here is a link that will tell you more about the transfer factor
http://transferfactor.com/us/faq
double check before using it though. it boosts the immune system and i am not sure you want to do that since fip goes puts the immune system into over drive. IF it is fip interferon is your best shot. i have posted a link in the other discussion we are having were you can get it but your vet shouldn't have a problem getting it and may already have it. it is used more for feline leukemia some vets are not familiar with using it for fip.
i was thinking about this over the morning as i was working. We use it for fvp. distemper and other things.
good luck to you both i will keep you in my good thoughts. prayers
That is very helpful, Tracey. I wish I had seen that article when we were struggling with my Emma.>>
FIP it so hard and Emma sounds like she was such an awesome cat. It is common for vets to toss everything under the fip umbrella when they don't know. FIP is so scary that most people just trust the vet. I think vets should be as sure as they can before they say FIP. There is so much we do not know about cat viruses. However I have met you and I know you are a force of nature and that emma was very lucky to have you. that you did all you could and more.
FIP it so hard and Emma sounds like she was such an awesome cat. It is common for vets to toss everything under the fip umbrella when they don't know. FIP is so scary that most people just trust the vet. I think vets should be as sure as they can before they say FIP. There is so much we do not know about cat viruses. However I have met you and I know you are a force of nature and that emma was very lucky to have you. that you did all you could and more.
Hi,
My cat Ali got diagnosed with FIP on Thursday. She got "maybe" diagnosed because of course there is no definite diagnosis. It is very frustrating and heart breaking. It is also hard to know if she is suffering or not-what I should do. I sympathize for you. This is the worst thing to go through. I think it is especially hard on a cat with diabetes. Some medicines that are used to treat FIP can cause diabetes in cats so I don't want to exacerbate her diabetes either. As Ali and I fight her battle we will be keeping you in our thoughts.
My cat Ali got diagnosed with FIP on Thursday. She got "maybe" diagnosed because of course there is no definite diagnosis. It is very frustrating and heart breaking. It is also hard to know if she is suffering or not-what I should do. I sympathize for you. This is the worst thing to go through. I think it is especially hard on a cat with diabetes. Some medicines that are used to treat FIP can cause diabetes in cats so I don't want to exacerbate her diabetes either. As Ali and I fight her battle we will be keeping you in our thoughts.
Kathy and Mickey
Member
Don't want to offer false hope here, but 3 years ago I had a cat diagnosed with FIP. Only symptoms were a sudden very high fever and a fat squishy little belly. Sent a blood test out and it came back with a very high titer for the Corona virus. I worried and watched her for weeks waiting for more symptoms to develop. Now, three years later, she's the healthiest cat you've ever seen and the terror of the household. And she still has a fat squishy little belly.
As others have said, it's often misdiagnosed based on symptoms and blood titer. Hope this is the case here.
As others have said, it's often misdiagnosed based on symptoms and blood titer. Hope this is the case here.
Deb415andNikki
Active Member
Dearest Venita, and, of course you too, King Ennis -- and the court jesters Casey and Nellie,
Dear Rainey,
Please know we're keeping you and Velvet Elvis in our hopeful, healing thoughts and prayers.
Love and continuing hugs for you and your family,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz...
I've been checking in every so often looking for an update as well...Venita and The Boyz said:
Dear Rainey,
Please know we're keeping you and Velvet Elvis in our hopeful, healing thoughts and prayers.
Love and continuing hugs for you and your family,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz...
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