How do I make my cat comfortable as he suffers from terminal illness (FIP)?
My vet suspects my cat has the dry form of FIP but the only way to positively test is through an autopsy. I am hoping it is a misdiagnosis but every other disease has been ruled out through blood tests. I do not want my cat to suffer but I do not want to have him euthanised if there is a chance it is not FIP. At this point, I feed him water through a dropper, he is unable to walk upright without falling over and is doing a little better with antibiotics. Is there anything I can feed him that may help his chances of survival, or at least to keep him somewhat comfortable.
Oh you poor thing. Have you googled/yahooed FIP? FIP is a very very very hard disease to deal with, and in many cases it works out better for the cat to get them PTS…..although having been through having to put a cat to sleep recently myself, I know exactly why you do not want to do, or even contimplate doing this.
What has your vet suggested? I personally would be following that too the "T".
I have just run a quick search on the disease and everything I can find says to keep the cats vitamins and anti-oxidants up. this can all be done via his diet, so have a look into the best sources of vitamins & anti-oxidants in the foods you can buy in your area.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
its prob best for the animal to put him down cause what evers hes got hes suffering!
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November 19th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
keeping him alive if he is not actually living is torute to him. he will not be comfortable. you would be doing the poor kitty a favor if you put him down. i know how it feels to have to put a beloved pet down. but if they arent able to live a good healthy life or even walk they are surffing. i just done it last month for my 16 year old taco bell dog i woke up one morning and she was walking sideways and falling over and her tounge was hanging out of her mouth she had had a stroke,the vet told me she would live but it would be a very sad existance for her so i did what was best for my best friend. i had her put down the vet was great he let me be there with her when he gave her the shot to put her down and gave me time with her in the room after she died to say my last goodbyes. do what is best for your best friend to…dont let it sufer.
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November 19th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Oh you poor thing. Have you googled/yahooed FIP? FIP is a very very very hard disease to deal with, and in many cases it works out better for the cat to get them PTS…..although having been through having to put a cat to sleep recently myself, I know exactly why you do not want to do, or even contimplate doing this.
What has your vet suggested? I personally would be following that too the "T".
I have just run a quick search on the disease and everything I can find says to keep the cats vitamins and anti-oxidants up. this can all be done via his diet, so have a look into the best sources of vitamins & anti-oxidants in the foods you can buy in your area.
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I am a registered breeder of cats.
November 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
If the antibiotics are helping him a little, that's good but I wonder if he's in pain? Some ideas….make sure he doesn't have to climb stairs to get to anywhere, maybe put him in a room by himself and you're constantly around him to pet him and love him and give him all the attention he deserves. Maybe a soft, low to the ground bed for him to sleep in. I know he may not want to play but maybe put at least one or 2 toys by him. Maybe it'll be a small comfort. Better yet, if he's your bud, take a shirt or 2 of yours, something you've worn and that has your scent, and put them near him or actually in the bed you have for him.
Good luck and I hope your baby gets better. I love animals and am praying for him
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I own 6 cats, fostered many, raised many from birth, taken in strays & nursed them back to health
November 19th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
If there is a food that you remember him being particularly fond of, that you would give to him only on very rare occasions, see if he's interested in eating that, just to put something in his belly (my girl Trouble towards the end had hardly any appetite, until one day I opened a can of tuna, she scarfed down the whole 8 oz can in one sitting!). If you're like me and you've dozed off on your couch under a blanket/comforter, let him lay in that, because it's soft and it will smell like you (Trouble was particularly fond of the foot of my couch and the blanket I would lay under). Also whenever he is laying down, just sit next to him and talk to him, or just lay your head down by him. I don't know exactly how you are feeling right now, but I do know how I felt as Trouble was living her final days and then when she died. I hope he is able to pass away peacefully at your home- your vet may even be willing to come to your house to administer the shot. Good luck!!!
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November 19th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Antibiotics do not help FIP. In fact antibiotics are a detriment when /if a cat is suffering from this. Fip is a virus that mutates.
If you want to get some nourishment into kitty, You might try some evaporated milk (canned milk) and mix it with pediatric electrolytes. The milk is high in protein and fat and the electrolytes will help to balance his system and keep him hydrated.
He should also be given prednisone which is a steroid and will fight inflammation and improve appetite.
The idea that he is falling over means that he is near the end.
You may want to start to say good-bye because he is suffering and needs to be laid to rest.
no cat has ever surived FIP
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Breeding cats since 1988
November 19th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Please please please…. keep in mind the QUALITY of the cat's life, not the length.
Putting a beloved pet down is the hardest thing a pet owner can do but it is usually the most merciful.
The cat's life is in your hands. He can't tell you how bad it hurts or what his wishes would be.
It won't be easy. It will hurt you. But for the sake of the cat it is the right thing to do.
my heart is with you.
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November 19th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
FIP, or feline infectious peritonitis, is a disease which affects and produce an inflammation of the meninges, brain, and spinal cord. It is first seen at the tissues of chest and abdominal cavities, but it can also involve into the nervous system. The neurologic signs can include a partial paralysis of the hindlimbs, tremors, head-tilt, behavioral changes, and seizures.
Sadly, there is not an effective curative treatment for FIP. As far as I know it, vets give high levels of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive medications and broad-spectrum antibiotics to slow down the FIP inflammation. But what you can do at this point is just pray to god that it's not FIP, and just make sure he's comfortable and give him just like, the best. and make sure he doesn't get himself into anymore trouble.
if you want more information on FIP, mail me or something
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I'm currently studying the diseases and various abnormalities and medical difficulties for cats.