Need advice on FIP experiences

Ptitesylvie
Ptitesylvie Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I have 5 cats. My youngest is 8 months old and I adopted her with her mum last August.

Everything was going great until last Thursday. Zia started hiding away and didn't seem herself at all. Usually, she’s the first one there because she’s such a foodie, but she turned her nose up at her dinner. I’d noticed her poo had been a bit soft for about 3 days, but it wasn't full-on diarrhoea either.

By Friday morning, she was wobbling and looked even worse. In just 24 hours, her condition had gone downhill fast. I called the emergency vet. I managed to get an appointment an hour later, thank goodness!

Then the news hit me like a ton of bricks. She’s dehydrated and the vet thinks it’s FIP. She was spayed last month and, according to the vet, that was the trigger.

She decided to do a blood test, gave her an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory jab, gave me some Hill’s a/d wet food and told me to see if she’d eat during the day. If not, she said she’d have to be put to sleep the next morning because her condition would only get worse and the outcome is always fatal anyway.

I don't want to believe it. I’m completely distraught! On Friday, I was syringe-feeding her the wet food and water. I want to try everything I can.

The next morning, I decided to go back and ask for the antibiotics and anti-inflammatories in tablet form. I have to try! The vet was very pessimistic but gave me what I needed... and thank God she did!

On Saturday, I kept syringe-feeding her... by Sunday, she started eating and drinking on her own again. She’s not wobbling anymore. Her poo is back to normal and she’s using the litter tray fine.

Monday morning, the vet called: the blood results are terrible! She’s severely anaemic. None of her levels are right and she tested positive for the feline coronavirus that causes FIP.

Since she’s actually doing better and better, I’ve decided to wait and see!

Since Monday, she’s been her old self again: greedy for food, playful, affectionate, everything normal. She hasn't lost any weight and is actually a bit chunky. The only symptom is that she’s lost her voice—when she tries to meow, nothing comes out.

She finishes her course of meds tonight. Is it possible the vet got it wrong? I’d love to hear from anyone whose cat has had FIP. Did they get better and then relapse? Can I keep hoping, or am I just kidding myself?

I love her so much, I’m so worried. The vet told me to keep her in isolation, but she’s crying for her mum and scratching at the door. Her mum is meowing for her too.

Translated from French
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14 answers
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    • T
    Tamata83 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone, there is currently a treatment available for FIP that is very effective. Although it used to be sold illegally, it’s now being legally dispensed by pharmacies for vets who order it. It’s an oral treatment that comes in different flavours, and you only have to give the cat a very small amount. The course lasts 84 days; it does come at a cost, so check with your vet, but whether your cat has wet or dry FIP, they can be saved. It’s now early 2025 and my best friend is currently trying to save her 10-year-old cat and has just started this treatment. We ordered it through her vet and it arrived within 48 hours. You have to act fast when a cat has FIP, but even if the illness is well-advanced with an effusion, they can still pull through. Hang in there and purrs to all.
    Translated from French
    Griff Plop
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    Hi, I’ve been reading everything you’ve posted about FIP with great interest. I have seven cats at home, all of them former strays, as I do a lot of work with stray cats, feeding them and getting them neutered. But about three months ago, I found a two-week-old kitten who had presumably been dumped by someone. I hand-reared him on kitten milk and supplements; he pulled through, but three weeks ago he came down with wet FIP. He’s had his abdomen drained twice and is on antibiotics and steroids, but I know his days are numbered and it’s so hard. The worst part, though, is knowing that all my other cats—aged between five months and two years—are infected and will probably die of the same thing. Can anyone give me some info on how the mutated virus spreads? Is there any hope my other cats might escape this disease? Thanks. Hi there, I lost one of my cats to FIP. If it's any consolation, 90% of cats carry the feline coronavirus (the virus that can mutate into FIP), so it’s highly likely your cats were already infected long before you found the kitten. That said, the coronavirus itself isn't dangerous; it’s the mutation that causes the issues, so there’s no more risk of your cats becoming ill now than there was before. The vets told me that, at the moment, they aren’t entirely sure what causes it to mutate, but they suspect stress plays a part, which is why young kittens and older cats are usually the most affected.
    Translated from French
    I
    Ippo Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello, My cat developed dry FIP. He passed away after three and a half months. Our vet carried out the same tests you mentioned. He had daily check-ups along with a very good diet and homeopathic support. My advice is to keep a daily diary of his condition: whether he’s eating well, if he’s using the litter tray properly – every little detail is important. My cat had neurological issues which progressed like this: He started staggering. He lost control of his bladder and bowels. Our vet had shown us how to massage him so he could go. This meant someone had to be there every four hours. The final symptom we weren't expecting was that he could no longer swallow, which stopped him from sleeping. We made the decision to let him go. Although he still had an appetite, he couldn't put any weight back on. It’s a horrible disease because you feel so helpless and there are so many ups and downs. It’s a disease that gives you false hope because it moves so quickly. That’s why it’s so important to keep a journal of his condition to help you stay alert. I really hope your cat doesn't have FIP. I wish you a lot of courage. Don't hesitate to talk about it if you feel the need; it’s what helps you keep going and eventually make the decision.
    Translated from French
    C
    Criket74 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone, I’ve been reading everything you've all written about FIP with a lot of interest. I have seven cats at home, and they’re all rescues from the street. I’m very involved with looking after strays—feeding them and getting them neutered. About three months ago, I found a two-week-old kitten that had clearly been dumped by someone cruel. I hand-reared him with kitten milk and supplements, and he pulled through, but three weeks ago he came down with wet FIP. The vet has drained his abdomen twice and put him on antibiotics and steroids, but I know his days are numbered and it’s just so hard. The most difficult part, though, is the thought that all my other cats (who are between 5 months and 2 years old) have been exposed and will probably die from the same disease. Can anyone give me more information on how contagious the mutated virus is? Is there any hope that my other cats might escape this? Thanks.
    Translated from French
    B
    Bret Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, I really feel for you. My cat died yesterday from FIP. It started two weeks ago when he began having seizures, paddling his legs in the air, rolling around on the floor and foaming at the mouth. The vet told me it might be meningitis. We gave him antibiotics and another medication, but over those two days things just got worse. My cat started breathing very heavily and stopped eating and drinking. I took him to another vet who examined him and kept him on a drip all day. When I got him home, he started eating a bit but wouldn't drink; he wasn't moving at all, just sleeping and shifting from place to place. His breathing was very, very laboured, so the next day I took him to the emergency vet because he wasn't getting enough oxygen while I waited for my regular vet. I brought him back home, and a few hours later he left me all alone, he was gone. Was it dry FIP?
    Translated from French
    Mamiecat
    Mamiecat Icon representing the flag French
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    How do cats catch this disease, please? Transmission: It is oronasal. Cats become infected with non-pathogenic enteric FCoV. The mutated version of FCoV that causes FIP has not been found in the secretions or excretions of cats suffering from FIP; therefore, direct transmission of the mutated virus is unlikely under natural conditions. FCoV is quite fragile: it is inactivated at room temperature within 24 to 48 hours and is destroyed by most disinfectants and detergents. However, it can survive for up to 7 weeks in dry environments (such as carpets) and can therefore be passed on via clothes, toys, or brushes. Faeces are the main route of contamination, which makes shared litter trays the primary source. A cat that is already infected can also be continually re-infected by its own contaminated litter. Transmission through saliva (mutual grooming, shared food bowls) or sneezing is rare. Transmission via fleas or lice is unlikely. Transmission from a mother cat to her kittens through the placenta is possible but unusual. Kittens are more likely to be infected at 6-8 weeks old—once maternal antibodies (the protection inherited from the mother) begin to wear off—through contact with faeces containing FCoV. Source: Veterinary clinic article on Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
    Translated from French
    Sophier
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    How do cats catch this disease, please?
    Translated from French
    Mamiecat
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    Hi,

    When Coronavirus is found in the stool (which is liquid, so diarrhoea), of course everyone thinks of FIP... but don't panic, the Coronavirus has to mutate in the gut for FIP to actually develop. And mind you, this mutation doesn't always happen (it's actually a very low percentage). Certain factors like stress, or indeed an operation or a general anaesthetic... can trigger the mutation!

    In this case, the vet isn't optimistic... fine! But you shouldn't give up... go and get a second opinion!

    I can tell you about a recent case involving a friend's 3-month-old kitten (a Birman) who was in the same state... several vets at a large practice looked into his case... and finally, one of them decided to do everything possible to support the kitten and get him through it... the key was to boost his immune system and keep his stress levels down... giving him the chance to fight back! Of course, he had a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to prevent secondary infections linked to his condition (since they don't work on the Coronavirus itself), along with antivirals, Lysine... a top-quality diet (with supplements)... and Feliway diffusers all over the flat. He was at the vet's every week! Weeks went by, then months... now he’s a fully grown cat. There's no longer any Coronavirus in his stool (three negative PCR tests a month apart). Yet, in that state, the poor kitten was written off at just 3 months old!!!

    I've since learned that it’s also possible to get good results, especially with dry FIP, using interferon treatment!

    Of course, you'll get the sceptics who say that if the cat recovers, it wasn't FIP in the first place!!!

    So, hang in there both of you, don't give up!

    Translated from French
    Loira
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    Poor gorgeous girl...! How is she doing?

    I lost my little companion of 14 years nearly two weeks ago to what was almost certainly autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. I had two extra months with him after the very grim diagnosis; he just went about his little cat life.

    I don't know much about FIP, but all I can suggest is to take it one day at a time. Cats are so good at hiding when they're ill or in pain. Don't overlook anything, but try not to let the anxiety take over.

    We always hold onto hope until the very end, but I have to admit I also prepared myself and knew exactly how far I could go without him suffering.

    Sending you lots of strength and plenty of cuddles for your beautiful girl!

    Translated from French
    Okora91
    Okora91 Icon representing the flag French
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    Oh, she’s absolutely beautiful! I can't really speak for dry FIP, but with wet FIP, yes, it moves very fast... Okora was skinny but had a really bloated tummy. She was completely lethargic, sleeping all the time, and her gums were very pale. Don't lose hope. We’re crossing everything we can for our other girl, a one-year-old Chinchilla Persian. She’s doing well and is on a month’s course of preventive treatment; the vet is feeling quite positive. We love our fur babies so much.
    Translated from French

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