Actually FIP is not contagious, and not necessarily what your kitty
has. Corona virus is contagious at certain stages, but there are many
types of corona virus and many if not most cats have it. As I
understand it, FIP results from a genetic reaction and a mutation of
the virus, which causes that particular cat to develop FIP. Any cat
that's been in a situation with multiple cats, like rescue cats,
probably carries corona virus.
See http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=681
It's more likely that he's developed a complication because of the
FELV virus. I've had several young FELV cats that have developed
mediastinal lymphoma at 2.5-3 yrs of age, with fluid accumulating in
the chest cavity. Having the fluid drawn off was a great help, a good
thing to do. So that's a very likely possibility. Drawing the fluid
is, of course, just a temporary, palliative, thing, but bought us some
nice time. Great to know about. I've never had one survive that
stage, but remember reading about the "Wisconsin Protocol" and was
interested in that as a treatment. Involved alternating treatment
with various drugs.
What a great blessing for this kitty that you took him in.
Gloria
On Feb 24, 2008, at 3:59 PM, laurieskatz wrote:
If FIP, it can be contagious.
I'd ask about it.
He may not have other consistent symptoms.
Being a nurse is exhausting...even more so when you love the patient.
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynne
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 12:49 PM
Subject: Re: another 75 cc
Yes Laurie, Bob is a wonderful guy. He's a pretty easy going person
but has shed tears over this too. I don't even know about FIP. All
I know is they did a blood test first time they saw him and said he
was positive for feline leukemia. I'll read up on it. The vets
told us this morning that he is a very brave little guy. He doesn't
even flinch at the vets. They can do anything they want to him and
he doesn't fight them, just me when it comes to giving pills. We
were given a demonstration of how to do it and the vet had us give
him his antibiotic. Nothin to it. Apparently he is not suffering.
I took him upstairs when we got home and he ran downstairs after us
wanting to eat down here, then he did his stair scratching thing and
went back up, like nothing happened today. I wish some of our
whiney hypochondriac patients could take a lesson from him. I'm in
a miserable mood today. I shouldn't have said that but I do mean
it. Funny thing is the draining tprocedure is the cheapest part of
the treatment. I could live with that. Unfortunately we needed the
drugs today and got them there. Otherwise I can get this stuff for
peanuts at the pharmacy across the hall at work.
Lynne
----- Original Message -----
From: laurieskatz
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: another 75 cc
Bob sounds like a wonderful husband for an animal lover/rescuer!
Lucky BooBoo to have you both...and THREE docs!
I almost hate to ask this...could this be FIP? Has anyone mentioned
that?
My friend's cat had FIP and she had to take him about once a week to
have his lungs drained.
Pls keep us posted. The good news is he does not seem to be in
distress or pain. That is a blessing in this otherwise difficult time.
Prayers continuing.
Laurie
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynne
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 12:05 PM
Subject: another 75 cc
Well we're home again. BooBoo had another 75ccs taken out of his
lungs today. Not only did his regular vet come in to see him, a
third vet was there. BooBoo has become quite the celebrity.
They're now sending a sample for culturing and cytology to see if
there are any cancer cells present. Nothing is going well for us.
However, when he got home he ate a big lunch and we put him to bed
with the window open for fresh air and he was purring like crazy.
He's now on another antibiotic and will continue on the lasix for
another week. Both the vets kissed him on top of his little head
before we left. This third vet was very kind, the other two are as
well but this one told us lets see what we're dealing with when the
cytology report comes back and we'll go from there. He didn't
dismiss the interferon but said we're basically doing palliative
care here and our goal is to keep him comfortable. The fluid
aspiration seems to help but it will continue. All three of these
vets are East Indian and lovely caring men but I hate to admit that
when they are giving details of what is going on I have a bit of a
problem with the accents. He said something about protein spilling
and I couldn't understand the rest. Of course I am always kind of
overwhelmed with sadness I don't grasp the whole picture. On an up
side, Bob mentioned on the way home that he doesn't even care about
the money part of this. He thinks these 3 vets are becoming more
educated in the care of these animals and he doesn't mind at all
paying for something that may benefit another cat in the future. I
guess that's a good thing too.
Lynne
