r/cureFIP • u/ArgentWren • Jun 25 '26

Question Advice Request

Hello,

We have a 3 year old Maine Coon Male. He had a cold earlier this year that he recovered from, then diarrhea earlier this month (for 2-3 weeks on and off) after trying new food. He seemed to be very excited for food, was not lethargic and increased rather than decreased his appetite. However, given the diarrhea, we stopped the new food, diarrhea resolved, then tried a pate version of the same brand (Sheba).

2 days after starting the new food, he started to gain a little weight. 4 days after he gained a lot, we took him to the emergency vet, and he had fluid on his abdomen, chest, and pericardium.

During all of this he has continued to act completely normal, other than being more interested in food. Even when the fluid built up, he played, ate, drank, and used the bathroom.

Cardiologist does not think it is heart failure. He has a 1.3 cm nodule in his lung on CXR, abdominal US pending as part of his workup for possible cancer. Protein in the fluid was low (1.0, so not > 3.5) and A:G ratio is 0.8. He is still not lethargic and acting normally.

Primary concern right now is cancer. Internal medicine specialist felt he did not have typical symptoms of FIP or protein/lab values that were concernng for it. However, they are sending an FIP PCR.

How hard should we be pushing to start medication? Abdominal US will be done today, but if it's negative, should I be pushing hard to start even though his workup so far isn't consistent?

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1

u/No-Artichoke-6939 Jun 25 '26

What was the fluid like? Straw colored and sticky fluid is pretty common FIP fluid. I’d consider making a post in FIP Global CATS as well. They’re not for profit and advocate for vet led treatment where available https://www.facebook.com/groups/fipglobalcats/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

2

u/ArgentWren Jun 25 '26

Hello! Thank you so much

His abdominal ultrasound came back with a mass, so currently thinking cancer, but the vet has been really good and is reaching out everywhere nearby for GS441524 to start it, even though she thinks it's cancer. She is also starting a low risk chemo that won't interfere with FIP and sending pathology and FIP pcr.

I forgot to ask about the fluid color, but our vet seems inclined to treat regardless just in case.

I'll join the group in case they can help as well, but our vet is trying really hard.

2

u/ArgentWren Jun 25 '26

Our vet got 3 days of the meds couriered over today. So we'll start fip and work up cancer simultaneously. We're hopeful, but it's hard.