FIP, need info please

[luvmyhimis]

Hi all,
Traci, I took your advice and had the blood work done. I took her back to the vet a couple days ago, they kept her overnight so that both doctors at this office could look at my little kitty and see what they think about her condition. She only gained an ounce since the last time we went to the vet. Unfortunately what they had said when I dropped her off had me a little bummed out. The vet said he doesn't really think there is much help for her unless I want to shell out tons of money on her. So that is why they decided to both look at her to see what they had thought. Anyhow, I went to pick her up and he said that by looking at her and some of the things that he sees, her weight problem, ringworm, coccidia, her potty problems, that he thinks she may have FIP or some sort of liver problems. I'm so worried about the results, does anyone know about this FIP, is it really that bad where I may have to put her down if this is what her problem is? If anyone has any info or knows about this firsthand, I could use some advice.

[Traci]

Although I don't have her full history, it doesn't sound like FIP. FIP is a fatal disease, one that usually manifests quickly, with obvious signs such as anorexia, vomiting, distended abdomen, painful abdomen, intermittent or unrelenting fevers, etc.

What did the bloodwork indicate?? Do they have the results?

Don't know what your vets mean by "shelling out tons of money for her", but if they suspect liver problems, I suspect they want to rule out liver shunting, in which I would strongly agree. Liver shunting can be diagnosed through bloodwork, (particularly liver enzyme testing), bile acids, and ultrasound or ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. If they suspect liver shunting, by all means, get the tests done immediately. Most cases of liver shunts can be surgically corrected in young kittens, but I strongly advise that you have an experienced veterinary surgeon (such as a feline-only vet experienced in liver shunt surgery).

If liver shunting is a suspect, ask your vet(s) about payment arrangements. Most vets will accept payment arrangements on a schedule, (like post-dated checks), as long as you can leave a reasonable first payment. If it happens to be an extra-hepatic shunt (as opposed to intra-hepatic), these can often be surgically corrected, so please do everything you can toward diagnosing, etc, and to see a feline-only vet experienced with this.

[luvmyhimis]

I got the results back from the bloodwork today. They said that she definitely has FIP. The only symptom that really stands out in my eyes is her little belly. It is quite large and round for the size of her little body. They also spoke of something called fading kitten syndrome, which they feel explains why she isn't growing. She is about the size of a 5 week old kitten and is 16 weeks old. I've had her for about a month and she has barely gained an ounce of weight, The vet suggests that she be put down. They say they may be able to prolong it for awhile, but eventually the fluid will start building up in her belly and things will worsen. I feel bad for this poor little thing, I don't know what to do for her, I feel pretty helpless.

[Traci]

Can you please get a second opinion?

What test(s) indicated FIP? There is no test that can confirm FIP, unless it is an ELISA-FIP-specific test, even then, they need to be interpreted correctly. Also, an ELISA-specific can indicate any feline coronavirus but this does not always mean it is FIP!

The distended belly could be nearly anything, but seek a second opinion immediately, some vets diagnose FIP incorrectly, you must make sure they didn't misdiagnose your kitten.

Fading kitten syndrome usually affects kittens less than 2 months of age, at 4 months of age, I wouldn't suspect fading kitten syndrome.

Please see a new, feline-only vet immediately and get that second opinion!! Also call your breeder and find out if any of her kittens/cats has been ill with the same symptoms, or were ever diagnosed with FELV/FIV/FIP....if they weren't, then the likelihood of FIP is less, since an outbreak of FIP in a breeder's cattery could be very consequential.

[luvmyhimis]

I want to get a second opinion, however there are none where I live that are feline only, all of them take small animals, dogs, and some livestock. This vet that I currently go to, had blood drawn from her and did bloodwork. They sent the blood test out to a lab, and it came back with a 1:100. Before this I have never heard of this disease, I had no clue, and from what this vet has told me, they make it sound pretty scary. I have talked to the breeder already, and she has never encountered this either, this is new to her and she has been breeding for a good number of years. She's been great about everything, and I have no reason to doubt her word. I'm going to find another vet and see what they say, let's keep our fingers crossed that maybe my vet is wrong,