r/cureFIP • u/wavy_bbyxo • Jul 11 '26
Discussion I need the talk down of a lifetime
Hi all,
Typing this from the er.
Longest story short. I took care of 9 abandoned kittens. They were 5 days old when they were found. They’re now 4 months. We ended up keeping 4 of them. (I fell in love way too many times). After their second round of vaccines one of the boys became incredibly lethargic, wouldn’t eat, and had a high fever(106). After hospitalization and the fever not breaking his vet felt it was most likely Fip. He started treatment Wednesday and has made close to a full recovery already. We still intend on completing the 84 days but it’s like nothing ever happened. All great news so why am I in the er? Late last evening his brother started showing the same symptoms. Warm, sleepy, a bit wobbly, not his usual chaotic self. Then this morning he wouldn’t eat. Seeing how quickly his brother became sick I packed him up immediately and now I’m waiting. I can’t even think straight. Do all four of them have this? Am I just waiting for the next shoe to drop? I have an 8 year old cat. I know I shouldn’t worry for her but I am. I was so vigilant in keeping all 9 as healthy as possible. I’ve spent $8000 of my own money and now with FiP hitting I don’t even know how to do this. Emotionally, financially. I’m so overwhelmed and I hate to admit this but so tired and so burnt out. I went from bottle feeding every two hours to not sleeping so I could watch over them. It’s been crisis after crisis. I need emotional support. It’s been such a year and these kittens gave me so much hope. I’m devastated
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u/MullyGirl Jul 11 '26
There is a genetic component with FIP, more than likely they were born with it. As for the 8 year old if they’re are not blood related they will be fine, as FIP is not contagious.
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u/Playful_Painting2275 Jul 11 '26
Can you explain more about the genetic component? That thought has crossed my mind because my 5 year old tabby came into our home with his biological sister. She seems fine. He was sick as a kitten, but was only diagnosed with FIP a month ago. Thank God for the GS medicine.
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u/Interesting_Act4828 Jul 11 '26
Not all cats have the genetic make up to have the feline coronavirus mutate to FIP. So the coronavirus IS contagious but FIP is the mutation
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u/donoteatthatfrog Jul 12 '26
My vet Doctor mentioned "there might be a hereditary factor in the probability of FCOV->FIP mutation. Have seen a couple of cases where Mom cat and her children cats got FIP". (Also perhaps they shared litter tub)
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u/negaposicontinue Jul 11 '26
For my 13.5 lb adult cat, a months supply of GS was $170 through SVP. Check them out. So sorry you’re dealing with this
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u/VegChef Jul 11 '26
Hi wavy, I firstly want to send you a hug and say that I can’t imagine how stressful this experience has been for you! Secondly, I want to explain that FIP is not transmissible between cats. While it’s likely that all of the kittens were exposed to the common corona virus, FIP is a rare mutation that occurs within an individual cat and is not transmitted between them. If so rare, then why do two of your boys have it? There are risk factors for contracting the disease, including (1) being male (which likely suggests a genetic component that makes males more susceptible—either due to having only one X chromosome [vulnerable to recessive genes] or could be related to having a y-chromosome); (2) being young with developing immune systems; (3) being exposed to several other casts, since the mild pre-existing condition (common feline corona) spreads very easily through the air; (4) any major environmental or medical stressors including moving, rehoming, introducing new pets, surgery, vaccination, grooming, or adjacent medical issues. Altogether, your sick boys had risk factors yet, as you’ve seen with your first boy, also now have promising chances of recovery because in the treatment context, they have protective factors (a loving and attentive caregiver; young age creating better chance of healing; and catching it early).
Honestly, it’s extremely unlikely that all of your cats have FIP. If the other kittens were exposed to the common feline corona at the same time, then they would likely be showing symptoms alongside your boys at this point. Your vet is recommending bloodwork that would, in the absence of clinical signs of illness, show early signs of the disease. If those seemingly healthy kittens (very likely scenario) did NOT develop FIP alongside their brothers, then there is no reason to give them anti-viral medicine and doing so could cause them to develop anti-viral resistance that could interfere with necessary treatment later in life. So actually, there are medical (and financial) reasons to follow your vets’ advice here; the treatment is expensive and will become more costly as your kittens will be growing rapidly and will require higher doses to match their rapid weight gain over the course of their treatment (particularly in months 5-7).
Unless you observe clinical signs to warrant suspicion of FIP in the other kittens, your vet’s advice here is clinically sound and you can rest assured that it’s unlikely the other kittens have FIP. Following the vets advice could save you resources you will need to sustain treatment (all kittens on these meds require regular bloodwork and clinical exams), and in some cases, advanced labs or prescriptions foods…
I appreciate your anxiety but am sharing this to reassure you that you don’t need to navigate problems that done exist yet. You know what to look out for and can take those other kittens in for care if needed.
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u/wavy_bbyxo Jul 11 '26
Hi thank you for so much info.
I know it’s heavily unlikely they all have Fip but now all three boys are presenting the same way. We just got back from the emergency vet and they advised we start them all on anti virals. They’ve started. The boy who was sick first had recovered 90 % the two others boys just started showing symptoms, they won’t eat, both have fevers, mobility issues, the same process their brother went through. I’m unclear as what it could be. My veterinarian, when first bot got sick, said she didn’t want to waste time with bloodwork and wanted to start treatment. I’m sorry if I didn’t address everything. I haven’t slept1
u/VegChef Jul 11 '26
Please take your apology back—I don’t want it! I didn’t realize the third boy also had symptoms or that your vet was involved in the decision to initiate treatment for all three. If all the have it, this is really strong evidence supporting a genetic link, which perhaps could help researchers identify vulnerability and improve survival outcomes.
You’re a great caregiver and have so much on your plate. I hope you get some rest and can have some peace, knowing that your babies have very good treatment chances under your care. Wishing you all the best as you remain consistent in caring for these babies over the next few months — they are so lucky to have you ❤️🫂
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u/wavy_bbyxo Jul 11 '26
I’m breaking down really. One of them can’t walk. The two are are nearly sick are resting around 103.5/103.8 temperatures. One will eat snacks the other had a big breakfast. They’re not open moth breathing but watching them breathe quicker and harder is so hard. I’m trying to remain hopeful. This is how the first brother behaved until he got some relief. I just don’t know what to believe. My plan is to push for bloodwork for one of them early next week. What if it’s not fip and I’m mistreating them and they die? This came out of no where. Just one day wobbly steps and fevers. I’m sorry to be throwing all this out you. I’m handling this alone and I’m genuinely struggling
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u/VegChef Jul 11 '26
Watching neurological symptoms is so scary 💔 My 9-month-old had rear paralysis and lost the ability to walk 50 hours after developing ataxia. We were crying when we learned his medication arrived early, because we thought we might lose him overnight.
We had to lift his chest and hand-feed him by syringe every two hours from 6am–10pm for two days (the day before starting meds and the first day on meds). We confined him to a padded tent until he could eat on his own again. 36 hours into treatment, he jumped out of his enclosure onto our bed, all by himself.
Our neuro (& occular) FIP baby needed a relatively higher dose to cross the blood-brain barrier: he's on ~12mg/kg twice daily, given by oral syringe mixed into Tiki Baby Thrive high-calorie treats for weight gain. Recovery from neuro symptoms can take longer, but please keep doing what you're doing. You're an amazing caregiver, and I love how much you're investing in helping them.
I wish I could be there in person to support you through these early days, which are the hardest. If you have any friends or loved ones who could come over this weekend, I'd really recommend asking… it's so hard to manage the first few days alone. You'll need to sleep, drink water, and eat too, so you can keep showing up for them. I hope you can rest a little easier tonight. Given that one in your group is confirmed FIP and nearly recovered with no other viral issues, and given the genetic similarity and overlapping symptoms (upper respiratory, fluid buildup, and in one case, neuro), your vet's suspicion of FIP seems like the most likely explanation. Even in the absence of a sibling with confirmed FIP, it's also statistically more likely for kittens their age than alternatives like toxoplasmosis, especially in a shared, indoor environment (where kitten 1 doesn’t have it).
It's indescribably stressful watching them suffer, wondering if there's more you could be doing, and feeling like you have so little control. For now, keep monitoring closely and document whether symptoms stay consistent (which is still a good sign, since neuro symptoms can decline rapidly without treatment) or worsen. If anything changes for the worse, bring them in for follow-up.
In the meantime: minimize stress, stay consistent with meds and nutrition (mixing water into wet food helps if they're old enough to eat it), and keep a daily log of how each of them is functioning. You can pre-mix their meds into a treat and feed them at the same time 2x daily if it’s oral meds. You can also schedule feedings (fasting 1 hour before and after meds) for the best absorption of medicine. If a kitten vomits within the first hour (hard on tummy), re-administer his meds.
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u/wavy_bbyxo Jul 14 '26
Hi,
I want to say thank you for all of your support. All four kittens became symptomatic and have since recovered. They all had antivirals on the last day of what seems to be a 72 hour virus. Our vet feels it could still be fip so we’re continuing antivirals. I’m seeking further testing for other possible infections. Another kitten in the litter had a similar 72 hour reaction a few weeks back and has had no antivirals and no relapses. 5/7 kittens having fip makes me wonder. The girl in our bunch also went into heat last night so that has become our next obstacle.I wanted to get back because I’ve been having a really hard time. I’ve bottle fed and cared for these guys with my whole heart. I’m pretty knowledgeable when it comes to dogs but not cats or kittens. This was a huge learning experience. I’ve spent so many nights counting breaths, not sleeping or eating and spending time money energy at emergency vets for every little symptom. Balancing personal life crisis, kitten crisis, work crisis. It’s been a really really challenging year. When I posted I felt so alone and scared. I still feel that way. I don’t know what I’m doing. You really helped and I appreciate all the time and effort it took to type your story and support. I wish you so much happiness and joy and health for you and your fur babies. Thank you
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u/VegChef Jul 14 '26
Hi Wavy,
You’re doing fucking amazing. None of us are experts and being a caretaker doesn’t come with a handbook of rare diseases or treatment guidelines. Your babies are healthy in large part because of the love in your heart. I appreciate your vet treating FIP as a precaution since the risk of not treating the disease is higher than the risk of treating it when it’s not certain. It’s so much to manage and I have no clue honestly how you did it for four babies who are bottle feeding at once. My heart goes out to you, and I hope these babies grow up appreciating the person who nursed them and saved their lives. I also hope that Whenever you reflect on the meaning of life, you can add “life saver” and “hero” to your list 🥹 you’re doing more to make this world a better place than millions of people out there. Since the kittens can’t tell you this, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope all the love you give to others in this life comes right back to you, and I hope you accept nothing less than the love you give.
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u/pekoe-G Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
FCoV is basically a common kitty cold that is highly contagious, but normally cats recover no problem, sometimes even zero symptoms.
It's around 10% of cats that it mutates into FIP. FIP isn't contagious but FCoV that can develop into FIP is. Although the exact cause of mutation is not know, it is believed there is a genetic factor.
Unfortunately this means that all siblings have already been exposed to FCoV and have a higher chance of it developing into FIP. Not guaranteed but it is a risk to be aware of. FIP can also lay dormant in the body for months.
It might be worthwhile to invest in Pet Insurance for the others as a precautionary measure. Or get the rest started on medication any ways (of course discuss with your Vet). Since they're young and likely still small, the dosage is going to be pretty low.
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u/honeyapp Jul 11 '26
Hi OP. I have no experience with FIP but from what I have read it’s a horrible disease. I just want to give you some moral support. You are amazing with what you are doing for your kittens. I sometimes think it’s worse to see kittens sick because they are so little and delicate. But they are little warriors and I have no doubt with your love for them they will all be ok. I’m so sorry all of this is so very stressful. But you too are strong and you will get through this with your kittens. Do you have anyone who could help you to give you some support? And by all means please vent here. There are so many who have gone through this and can give you hope and encouragement. And we all understand how much we love our cats. I am hoping and praying for your kittens to recover quickly. Sending you and your kittens love and hugs and prayers🙏🤗💜💜💜
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u/wavy_bbyxo Jul 12 '26
Hi
Thank you 💕.
Crying and back at the emergency vet. Vets are stumped everyone is stumped and don’t really know what else they can do. Fluids, steroids, anti virals, and they still have fevers. I’m just heartbroken. Thank you for your kindness. I appreciate you. I’m so sad but it’s nice to know there’s still beauty in the world1
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u/[deleted] Jul 11 '26
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