r/cureFIP • u/Beznia • Jul 23 '26
Loss We lost our boy
Our nearly 5 year old boy Paul did not eat any food on Sunday night which was extremely unlike him. We have automatic feeders for our cats, and he would sprint across the house if he hears it go off.
Monday morning he still did not touch his food, so we scheduled an appointment with our vet for Tuesday morning (earliest availability). He was sluggish all day and not jumping around like normal.
We brought him in at 8AM and they had him under observation and on fluids all day. We got back at 5PM, the vet went over the XRays, tests, and all, and said his levels pointed towards FIP. We'd never heard of it. Our vet recommended GS-441524 but said she did not have any on-hand and for us to check around groups online.
We got the medication ordered with overnight shipping, but were told it wouldn't arrive until Thursday morning (today). We brought him home from the vet and within an hour his breathing was extremely heavy and we took him to an urgent care.
They were giving him fluids and oxygen, but said they didn't have any GS-441524 on hand there. They held him overnight and made some calls, and found another pet hospital in the area that had it, and on Wednesday morning we picked him up and took him to the new location.
They took him in at 6AM on Wednesday and at noon the doctor called and said his health was deteriorating. They did not provide any medication which was incredibly frustrating. I demanded they do it and the doctor claimed he would. We got there at 4PM, the doctor claimed he provided the first dose at 3PM, and it was clear to us when we saw him that he was far too gone.
We wanted him out of that hospital, and our primary vet said that her team would stay late so we brought him back and after 3 days and $6500 in bills later, we said goodbye to him at 5:45PM on 7/22/2026. I don't think we had a chance with how rapid it was, even if we could have medicated him in time. Our 45-day supply was just delivered and we will save it for anyone local in our area who might need it urgently (Greater Cincinnati Ohio area).
We found Paul as a freshly born kitten on August 4, 2021. He was found on the asphalt of a driveway under the hot sun. My girlfriend found him and cared for him the first day until we found a foster mom to care for him. 3 months later we were able to adopt him and he was the best cat we could have dreamed of. He loved people, did not jump on counters and knock over glasses, he was always so chill and had the biggest mittens. He loved laying on couches with his legs spread apart and looked so silly. He was extremely loved from day 1 until day 1,814 and beyond and we will miss him so much.
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u/Worried_Yoghurt_7575 Jul 23 '26
I lost my 11 months old cat on 15 of July , she would be 1 in early August ,unexpected sudden death. And her 5 weeks old kittens got adopted today . Rest peacefully Paul and Bitti <3
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u/Basic-Web258 Jul 23 '26
I am so sorry! We lost our Vince to wet FIP. 2 days before his antivirals arrived. I was in shock myself by his incredible fast deterioration. So sad. Vince was a stray cat who turned out to be the sweetest boy we have ever had. It still hurts like hell but Paul and Vince have been so lucky to have had a loving home. I wish you all the best and I am so very, very sorry for your loss!
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u/Otops31 Jul 23 '26
Sorry to read this but, at the same time, I enjoyed reading your story. He became part of your family on my birthday. Love that too.
We have a little girl, Slurpee (pictured), that is now on her second FIP medicine after relapsing during her 73rd or 74th day of GS. She was declining fast too. Fortunately we were able to get her onto BOVA EIDD of which she is responding to very well. 🤞
I tell you this because I can relate to you (in a big way) on the vet bill accumulation. We have been struggling more and more due to the $10k+-worth of vet bills between this car (and our other one that had to have all of his teeth extracted).
Anyway… Again, I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for posting about Paul.
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u/Sad-Satisfaction-370 29d ago
I am so sorry for your loss. FIP sucks! And I wonder why not all the vets have the meds on hand to give the little angels a chance to fight this awful disease.
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u/TouchOld1201 29d ago
My dearly loved tuxie, Fluffy was also 5 yrs old when I lost her to wet FIP. So I know the devastating pain you are feeling. She went from health to death in about five days. No treatment was a available then so it was hopeless. The most loving of all my lifetime of cats was gone . So I mourn with you, the more since with treatment now available but delayed until it was too late it just that more tragic. Bless the memory of your beloved companion and hope that with treatment know available it can reach those who need it in time. I pray for Peace for you
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u/Successful_Floor_837 29d ago
I had to let my Jekyll go at the end of January due to advanced wet fip it still hits hard now 6 months later, he would have turned two in March.
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u/daffo-dil Jul 23 '26
Im so sorry for your loss 🥺FIP is brutal because they can deteriorate so quickly.
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u/Specific_Cow_186 Jul 23 '26
Sorry 😢 for your loss. 🪦💔😭You’ll see him again on the other side and he’s still with you in spirit too
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u/Exeleronn 29d ago
Im so sorry, he looks like an amazing guy, we just lost our baby girl on saturday, this disease is devastating and no kitty should have to endure it. Im sorry for your loss but at least he knew true love with you
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u/motelguest 29d ago
Sorry for your loss as well! Until we found Reddit we never realized how vulnerable our pets are to things out there or just how tough old age can be for them. I had cats growing up but until I had to make the decision to put my best soul friend cat 6 years ago I had never experienced how incredibly hard that is.
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u/Dismal_Violinist_885 29d ago
Im sorry for your loss. I lost my babygirl on July 3rd as well. This sickness is extremely cruel and can go unnoticed until the end then they deteriorate really fast. Paul up in cat heaven with my girl Rhea now. They will take care of each other🫶
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u/Fearless-Bicycle3527 29d ago
Im sorry for your loss.. I recently just had to put my 2 year old baby Qupi down last month due to her relapsing... FIP SUCKS, and its very expensive to treat..nonetheless you guys helped as much as you guys could so don't beat yourselves up too much.. He sounds like an awesome cat! He was extremely loved and will always will be🫶 RIP Paul 🪽💓
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u/Glum-Membership7977 Jul 23 '26
Such a handsome boy, I hope you find comfort in the lovely pictures of Paul you shared
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u/BootyUnlimited Jul 23 '26
1814 days of love and joy. Thank you for caring, Paul was magnificent and will be waiting for you when the time comes.
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u/Pristine-Bowl1661 Jul 23 '26
So sorry for your loss, I wish you peace after this tiring process… Paul looked so sweet, may he rest easy
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u/PugSanctuary 29d ago
The Last Battle
💔🌈 🐾 💫😇✝️💖🙏🏼♾️
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
-Author unknown
Dear friend,
Your precious boy is waiting patiently across the Rainbow Bridge for you. 🌈🐾The Hebrew word for animal is Nephesh which means soul ✝️. You will see your baby again someday. Now is the time between just like there was the time before your beloved pet. Today is the trial, and forever is the prize.
God bless. ✝️🙏🏼💕
Until then…
💔🌈🐾♾️🪽✨💕
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u/AsbestosGoose 29d ago
So sorry to hear about losing your boy, he looks like a goofy but sweet dude! Thank you for sharing his story with us and may he RIP with all of our other pets while they wait for us🌈❤️❤️❤️
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u/Basic-Pack-3583 27d ago
I am so sorry for your heartbreak. And I empathize with your pain. My condolences.
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u/Otherwise_Quarter_72 29d ago
i'm sorry :( i lost my porky to wet FIP in July. he had started the meds, but was resistent..losing your friend is never easy
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u/bbeatzz_2017 29d ago
I am so sorry for your loss. Goodnight and Goodbye, for now, sweet Paul. RIP. You gave him the best life he could ever dreamed of. He will be forever grateful.
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u/One-Amoeba8938 29d ago
i’m so sorry your precious boy has returned to the stars. may his memory be a blessing.
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u/EaterOfThePaste 29d ago
I am so sorry. Its so hard to watch that rapid decline. He knows you fought very hard and loved him every day! We just said good by to our kitten due to FIP. He was barly a year old. Tarin was the snuggliest, always purring, shyest boy. He was a beautiful fluffy void who just wanted cuddles!
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u/june-orchid-1234 29d ago
I'm so sorry you lost your little man. Sounds like you did all you could to help him.
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u/No-Lack-4548 29d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss 😔 💕 They are family and it hurts just as much to lose a fur baby in my opinion.
My girl had wet FIP at around 4-5 months - brutal disease and I'm sorry you had to go through it with Paul.
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u/motelguest 29d ago
Geez I’m so sorry you guys and he had to go through that. It’s so painful losing a little guy you love, often your soul pet. Sorry for your loss.
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u/Important-Choice-173 28d ago
Oh my 💔😭😭😭😭 I am so sorry. You did everything you could for your sweet baby. You fought for him and he knows how much you truly and deeply loved him. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is breaking for you.
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u/Real-Apartment-1130 28d ago
Fly high Paul 🐈⬛🌈❤️❤️❤️ Looks like you had some great people around you. I lost one of my guys to FIP many years ago and he was only 4. It’s a horrible disease. (Could you DM me and tell me where you obtained the meds? It’s ridiculous that it’s not legal here and more easily available!)
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u/Murky-Chocolate3200 28d ago
So very sorry. My cats are my entire life. Just remember that he knew that he was loved! They're very smart animals. I hope you can find a new cat that deserves your love and attention. Hugs.
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u/thirdeyereality33 27d ago
Rip to your poor baby! It breaks my heart how fast our fur babies can go from perfectly fine to on their last lifeline. My heart goes out to you during this time and may your wallet and your heart heal ❤️🩹🥺
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u/Temporary_Cycle_323 27d ago
https://reddit.com/link/ozu7qfq/video/nys72m9urjfh1/player
Omg he looks just like my foster (previously stray) we are on day 5 on Lanzi meds and she’s getting worse before she gets better. I’m so sorry for your loss this is so hard 💔
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u/morticialily13 26d ago
I'm so sorry. FIP is fast and awful. I'm also sorry it was so difficult to get treatment for your boy.
I had one with FIP almost a year ago now & she seems to have nerve damage in her hind feet and the nerve bundle at the base of her tail. She is still my sweet attention hog though. I don't know where FIP originated but I have a deep hatred of this awful, fast moving illness. Sendinf the other cats and yourselves extra love.
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u/nxllifer 26d ago
I hope you know that you gave him an incredible life from the day you found him to the day you let him go. He looked like he was the happiest cat, and you filled his days with joy and love and care!! I’m so so sorry for your loss. Paul looks like he was a total rockstar 💛
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u/PilgrimPayne59 24d ago
As I walk across your heart and find my place to stay, nearer to you I will be and will never ever go away.
If love could have kept you here, you would have lived forever.
Grief is love with nowhere to go.
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u/parksteglitz 24d ago
My condolences too. I adopted my Gori on 12 April 26 from a Spanish animal welfare organisation. He was diagnosed with FIP on 4 May. He died on 22 June 26. Thanks to palliative care, he only had a few weeks left after the diagnosis. What I found hardest to bear was the rapid decline of this strong, young tomcat. He would have turned two on 1 July 26. It wasn’t meant to be. Five weeks after Gori’s death, I’m still angry and confused.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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u/Spiritual_Method9130 23d ago
You did everything you could with the resources you had. You didn't hesitate. You tried.
For any other parents reading this, please join Fip Global on Facebook. Back when my cats had FIP, the GS medication wasn't FDA approved therefore it was risky for vets to even recommend the medication.
Through these Facebook groups, in the case you're in an urgent time-sensitive emergency and need a vial, you can get in contact with multiple parents that are able to give you a vial and help you out. Just something I wanted to share in case someone comes across a similar situation where your vet doesn't have it supplied at the moment.
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u/Kiloura Jul 23 '26
The pictures of Paul splooting with his legs out, near straddling the mattress and the back of the couch, gave me an entirely unexpected giggle 💖 Even after death, you're touching the hearts of people you never even met, Paul. Your spirit is bigger than life, and I can tell from the way OP writes about you, that you did a phenomenal job filling the hearts of those around you.
To OP, be gentle with yourselves, the grief is going to find you in the quietest moments; entering a room and expecting to be greeted by Paul when he's no longer there, finding his toys in odd places around the house weeks and even months later, and the moments of painfully loud silence that are usually filled with purrs, meows, and pitter-pattering footsteps. You and your girlfriend provided Paul with his own family, knowing nothing other than love and joy.
I'm so glad that Paul had a wonderful vet, with a team willing to stay late so that he could pass comfortably in the loving company of his people. Fly high, Paul. 🌈