Description
My little baby Cleo was recently diagnosed with wet FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis). Writer Ellen Barber, from Animalbiome.com, explains FIP perfectly:
"Feline coronavirus (a collective term for several viral strains) infects 40%–80% of all cats worldwide. It’s most common in cats under two years of age, typically causes only mild diarrhea or no symptoms at all, and usually goes away as young cats mature and develop immunity. (Feline coronavirus is one of the many pathogens AnimalBiome screens for when selecting healthy donor animals for its fecal transplant supplements. Chief Science Officer Holly Ganz describes feline coronavirus as “highly prevalent” in young cats. Cats whose fecal samples test positive for feline coronavirus are excluded from AnimalBiome’s donor program.)
But in 5% to 10% of cases, a mutation occurs in the virus that causes a much more serious disease—feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP. In these cases, the mutated virus infects the cat’s white blood cells, which carry the infection throughout the body, triggering an intense immune system response. The resulting inflammation can wreak havoc in the intestines, brain, and other organs.
FIP occurs in two forms: “dry” (noneffusive) and “wet” (effusive). The dry form may cause loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, and fever. The wet form causes fluid accumulation in the abdomen or chest cavity, leading to a pot-bellied appearance and sometimes interfering with the cat’s breathing. Either form can also lead to neurologic symptoms, such as seizures or loss of coordination. Both forms are fatal, and the lack of a cure has left pet parents and veterinarians in a heartbreaking position, with no option other than euthanasia."
The vet told me I have a couple weeks left with her, up to a month if I am lucky. I will do anything to save my baby girl.
Up until a few years ago there was no cure. One has recently been found but the treatment is fairly expensive to access. This treatment consists of 84 days of injections. After 84 days of injections there will be 84 days of observation. Throughout these six months I've had/have to get bloodwork done every 4 weeks to monitor progress. It will not be an easy process but it's the only process that can save our baby Cleo.
This girl is unbelievably strong. From the first DAY we brought her home, there have been consistent vet trips. Starting with two corneal ulcers, a stomach parasite and earmites. Some of our first experiences with her consisted of putting syringes in her mouth and cotton swabs in her ears. The following month she got severe constipation and had to go to the vet to extract a clay like poop building up in her intestines. The following month she fell off the cat tower playing with her older sister, resulting in two salter-harris fractures. I have spent thousands of dollars to keep our girl healthy and happy only to be told that we have roughly a couple of weeks left with her, a month max... I will not take that for an answer.
All funds will be donated to Cleo's medical bills. At this time there are only two rounds of bloodwork left and then she should be considered cured. That's hoping all goes well! So far things are looking really good.