I'd like to send some good new/bad news. FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus) is similar to human AIDs and FeLk (feline leukemia, which is not the blood cancer leukemia, though it was named this because apparently many cats would eventually develop leukemia). I have a lot of experience in both of these. For many years I only took in FeLeuk cats and most of them lived normal healthy lives. At the times, FIV was considered a death sentence, though many shelters and rescues have now revised their opinions of it. I currently have two healthy, active FIV cats.
The Fiv/FeLk test is usually a combo blood test that will tell you the results for these two viral diseases. If your vet hasn't already done it, please consider getting this done. If they have the SNAP version it can be done in about 15 minutes at the vets office. It can be pricey though ($70 and up). It can usually be done much cheaper as part of a blood panel that is sent out (I get my entire CBC, Chem and T4 panels with the FIV/FeLk test done for $130).
FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) is also viral and sometimes called feline coronavirus. Some people believe it can be tested for using the dog parvo test. I have found these tests to sadly be very accurate. This disease is incurable, fatal and very infectious. If it gets into your home, it takes time and lots of bleach cleaning to make the home safe again. Our rescue rule is no fosters for 1 year after the house has been sanitized.
Lets hope Beauregard only has FIV or FeLeuk or neither. I can't comment on the other issues as I have no experience with them. I'd keep up the hope.
Anyone have any idea if fluids would help Beauregard?
Prayers and hugs:
Pepper, Sparkle +12
He got every test known to mankind, and the pathologist will give us the results. He is not wanting to eat huge amounts this morning, but ate some. We sat on the mat while I rubbed him, and talked to him, and between loving, he nibbled. I will try to give insulin shortly. He was sitting there waiting for the vet tech to come and poke him, but she gives him TONS of loving afterward, and he really loves her.
I hope that FIP thing was not lingering. Vet says it's possible, and when his immune system (I think I'm repeating myself again) got compromised, that could have sprung forth. I'm not sure all that we included in tests yesterday, but will was $400 again, and that's what it was last week also. BUT if those tests give us a clue as to what is going on, then it's worth it.
He has been drinking and drinking (head almost laying inside his water bowl) this morning. Vet said with this fatty liver disease, it could take 5-6 weeks. Or maybe that's the anemia. Just so much going on with him, I am confused on what's what, other than he needs to eat, and if he shows signs of wobbling or confusion, or the gums get really white, I bring him in.
I will read the other posts later. I have a second cat who's wanting Beau's food. I hate pushing him away (and he has his own FF, and he weighs 22 lb., so he's not starving. He just sees Beau getting lots of extra love, and he wants some. Usually he realized I'm free about 3:30am and comes to the bed for his love, if not already beside me, and then he wakes me up to love on him.
Again, sorry to ramble and have diarrhea of the fingers, but when nervous, I do tend to type and talk quite a bit.