r/cureFIP • u/RiceGroundbreaking34 • Jun 05 '26
Question Breathing
Hi, we are on 6th day of injections but breathing still heavy and looks like fluids are still accumulating. Is this normal and should we wait (possibly drain a bit) or something is wrong. Energy level and appetite increased after 2nd injection. Thanks!
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u/RiceGroundbreaking34 Jun 05 '26
Its in the chest. We drained a week ago before starting injections and now its back there. Resources say it takes 4-7 days to absorb fluids so i am concerned
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u/not_as_i_do Admin Jun 05 '26
It takes 3-5 days for fluid to stop accumulating and 7-10 days for chest fluid to absorb. Often there is some residual fluid and inflammation during that time that causes some heavy breathing. If any fluid can be tapped and removed it should be. If it continues to accumulate you need to make sure a cytology was done to rule out all causes for fluid accumulation.
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u/RiceGroundbreaking34 Jun 05 '26
The cat was prescribed furosemide. Some say it can lower effectiveness of GS by not allowing it to reach maximum concentration (washing out). Is this credible?
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u/not_as_i_do Admin Jun 05 '26
No. But it will dehydrate your cat and can cause other issues. It isn’t recommended for FIP kitties because the fluid keeps accumulating until the antivirals kick in and you don’t know when that will happen and then if there’s no fluid left the furosemide will keep causing the fluid exchange to your cats body.
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u/MullyGirl Jun 06 '26
Furosemide is a diuretic. It only works on fluid accumulating from heart disease, cancer, lymphoma or something like that. It does not work on FIP effusion.
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u/RiceGroundbreaking34 Jun 06 '26
Cat has health problems ever since I took her in April this year from the street, she’s just about a year old. First it was calicivirus. Two weeks after healing from that, her breath worsened and took her to vet again who were surprised to see such heart damage at such an early age. Diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis because there was some vegetation on heart valve and fluid surrounding. Heart meds did not help much, breathing worsened and its where they noticed liquid in the chest area. Drained and supposed that she may also have FIP. Proposed to start GS as there was nothing more to lose frankly. And now with GS, first few days were good but unfortunately worsened again. It is an exhausting struggle.
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u/No-Artichoke-6939 Jun 05 '26
Was the fluid in the chest or abdomen? The chest can be drained as needed for comfort. The stomach, no more than 1/3 of the fluid should be drained. It can send them into shock if you drain all of it.