Thursday, January 15, 2015

Maisie's Story: FIP Angel #BtC4A


About a month ago I received an email from author Leslie Goodwin, asking me if I would be interested in reviewing a copy of her new book, CAT SKILLS: Loving Care for Cats. Of course I accepted and after I read the book and learned more about Leslie and her cats, I asked her if she would like to share with my readers her heartbreaking experience with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a disease that I admit to knowing very little about. When her beautiful cat Maisie died of the deadly disease, Leslie wanted to make a difference when publishing the book she was writing. She wanted to help shelter animals and raise a significant donation to the Bria fund for FIP research. She came up with a unique plan to do both. Here are the details in her own words:


“Introducing the CAT SKILLS Challenge. My dream is to have my book in adoption packets in shelters all over the country. The second part of my dream is to make a sizeable donation to the Bria fund at the same time. Here’s how: A corporate sponsor or private philanthropist would purchase a large quantity of books taking advantage of the publishers quantity price, adding only a slight profit to include a donation of 20% of the total to FIP research and then distribute the books for free to shelters. If shelters could include the book in their cat adoption packets, I believe more cats will keep their forever homes and fewer will be punished, abandoned or returned for behavioral or health problems. This is a new, exciting way for sponsors or patrons to make a tax deductible donation, help fund research into a deadly disease and help cats at the same time. With or without a donation to FIP research, if anyone wants a large quantity of books shipped to their shelter of choice, I will gladly provide them at a greatly reduced price.”

Now I am honored to present "Maisie's Story". Hopefully it will be useful to anyone trying to diagnose a cat or for anyone looking for support going through this illness and for everyone to know that many people are working to cure this disease.

Maisie's Story: FIP Angel



When I met Maisie, I had just lost one of my old cats, Lucy, and the other one was fading fast. I was numb and exhausted from running a cat hospice. I went to the humane society to sign up as a volunteer to deal with my grief. I had seen a young kitty on their website who looked a lot like Lucy.  Naturally I was curious!  She had strayed in during the 100 year flood... possibly made homeless because of it. 

When I picked up the little waif, she climbed my shoulder and clung on with a death grip. Her neck was wobbly, she had diarrhea and she felt feverish. She had been spayed a few days before. I wasn’t ready for a new one with my old fur buddy dying at home. But I told the volunteer, “This is my cat.”

When I came back to adopt her, little Maisie was deathly ill in the shelter clinic with a fever of 106. They gave her subQ fluids. When her fever subsided, they released her to me. 

Maisie was still clinging her first night home..she wouldn't even let go for a photo!

She seemed happy and healthy but two days later she started vomiting, ran a fever and we ended up in the ER. They sent us home with no diagnosis.

Fecal tests showed Giardia. The meds I gave her to cure Giardia made her anorexic. I started to force feed her just to keep her alive. Blood tests were inconclusive but pointed to liver disease. Maybe hepatitis.  Finally, with a new antibiotic, she started to eat on her own. Hope at last!  I gave her antibiotics for a full six weeks.

Mais started a slow recovery.  Still, something was missing. What she needed was a sister! When I adopted Millie, she was like a well- timed shot of adrenalin for both of us. With Millie to love, Maisie blossomed into perky, normal kitten. Living with them was pure happiness. Every morning, Mais scooted under the bed covers to snuggle and after breakfast, she climbed to my shoulder for a talk. For six months, she chased and wrestled and cuddled with Millie, ate heartily and gained three pounds. I was overjoyed at my new cat family. Meanwhile, Maisie's immune system was fighting a virus turned deadly...and losing.


Six months later, just weeks after writing the first draft of CAT SKILLS, Maisie stopped eating and languished again with a high fever. This time, blood tests revealed the tell-tale signs of an incurable disease--Feline Infectious Peritonitis. She was only 15 months old and she would be dead thirteen days later.

There are two kinds of F.I.P.: wet and dry. Dry F.I.P., with no abdominal effusion present, is one of the most misdiagnosed and mysterious of all cat diseases, often only being confirmed post-mortem.

Dry F.I.P. (Maisie's type) is hardest to diagnose and can be slower to develop. Wet FIP is more obvious; the cat develops a huge belly filled with fluid. Both types are caused by a mutation of the Feline Enteric Coronavirus. Victims are almost exclusively under two or over ten years old. They rarely live more than a few months after symptoms appear. There is no effective vaccine. There are no simple diagnostic tests. There is no effective treatment or cure. FIP kills one in 100 to one in 300 of all cats under five years old  (mostly kittens). And the incidence can be up to ten times greater among kittens from catteries(breeders) or shelters for reasons I explain in FIP Myths and Mysteries.

FIP is often misdiagnosed or un-diagnosed. Diagnosing FIP can be difficult as there are several other possible diagnoses -- especially for the wet type. But CBC blood tests can show the obvious markers of FIP: High total protein, a low a/g ratio, (high globulin), anemia, lymphopenia and sometimes elevated neutrophils. These are the red flags for FIP.

Symptoms are: Fever which doesn't respond to antibiotics, anorexia, diarrhea, lethargy and weight loss and/or abdominal swelling (in the case of the wet type.) Abdominal ultrasounds and cytology tests (analyzing cells) of the abdominal fluids are diagnostic as well. The abdominal fluid (wet type) will be a yellow straw color and appear fibrous. There is a simple test of the abdominal fluid called the Rivalta test which can be done in the vet's office in minutes and costs virtually nothing...but only for testing the abdominal fluids in wet FIP. A Youtube video explains how to do it. This is only a quick overview of the most common diagnostic tests. Please check the links in the bibliography to find out more.

In hindsight, I can only assume that Maisie was fighting the disease when I first brought her home. But she didn't show the classic signs in her blood work so how were we to know? Was the virus just starting to mutate then? This is one of the mysteries of FIP...the process by which the usually benign corona virus mutates into the deadly form.

During the dreadful, complicated diagnostic process, I sought help from the Yahoo F.I.P. support group. The moderators, who also lost kittens to FIP, continue to support others fighting the same losing battle. One of them founded a research fund named after her FIP angel kitten: The Bria Fund. They inspired me to join them.

I believe that Maisie came into my life--even for such a short time--for a good reason. I decided to donate some of the proceeds of my book sales to fund research to cure this killer of kittens. I hope that my book will be a part in finding a cure.

PS: Millie is alive and well and teaching her new fur sister the fine art of mutual grooming, recreational wrestling and spooning at nap time. ©2014 by Leslie Goodwin, author of CAT SKILLS: Loving Care for Cats.

Millie and Maisie...BFFs forever.

*** Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2 of Leslie's story, including FIP Myths and Mysteries and a bibliography with links where you can find additional information. I will also be posting my review of CAT SKILLS: Loving Care for Cats and we will be giving away a paperback copy of the book to one lucky winner. ***

32 comments:

Cokie the Cat: Hollywood Insider said...

Oh sweet little Maisie. Thank you for a wonderful Blog the Change post.

Unknown said...

I had heard of FIP but my knowledge ended there. I am so glad that Leslie turned Maisie's tragedy into educating me as well as many others. That is the best way to remember such a cute, sweet kitty.

Cats Herd You said...

FIP is so scary, and it's something that even vets misdiagnose at first. It's good to be aware of what to look for. Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

The Island Cats said...

FIP is a terrible disease. Thanks for sharing Maisie's story with us.

Random Felines said...

FIP sucks.....we know all too well after losing Coral. We are thrilled that Leslie is giving back and can't wait to hear more about her book

pilch92 said...

FIP is awful. I hope Leslie's book can help others.

Cathy Keisha said...

I know several online cats who have had fursibs die of this deadly disease. Boris Kitty lost 2 sisfurs to it. Great BtC.

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Great post. We have shared it.

Purrs xx
Athena and Marie

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Oh my heart just ached for Lesile and for Maisie. After all she had been through with two older cats and then to think you got a kitten and you naturally think of healthy and long long life with many years...only to have to say goodbye. Oh it just breaks my heart. FIP is awful. Every single thing I have read about it. So awful. Thank you for highlighting this book.

Kitty Cat Chronicles said...

What a heartbreaking story! We don't know much about FIP either, so thank for sharing this. What a terrible disease. We wish Leslie the best of luck with her book idea -- it sounds like a great plan to raise awareness and help out shelters and FIP research at the same time!

leslie said...

Thank you to Melissa for suggesting the post and to everyone commenting and sharing. On Friday the 16th, is the second part: FIP Myths and Mysteries and more about the book: CAT SKILLS: Loving Care for Cats. Leslie Goodwin

leslie said...

Thank you Kitty. The Cat Skills Challenge is a novel way for a manufacturer to help cure FIP and help out shelters at the same time. LG

leslie said...

thanks so much for sharing, Marie.

leslie said...

I am only one of many FIP cat moms out there who are raising funds for FIP research. So many people are united in this effort. LG

leslie said...

You can find me and the FIP fighters on Facebook, too. Luckily there is support for victims. LG

leslie said...

I am also so happy I met Melissa to participate in Blog for a Change.

leslie said...

Yes, Thanks, Melissa. Purrrs

leslie said...

If anyone knows of a manufacturer or a philanthropist who is crazy about cats, please spread the word about the Cat Skills Challenge! Lg

leslie said...

Thank you AbbyGrace. Losing Maisie helped me write the end of the book..the section on loss and grieving.

Anonymous said...

Pawsum posty. Weez so sorry fur yous loss. They awe boff just gawjus. We just hate dat cat diseases haven't been wesearched better afur now, but we so hope dat they will be given gweater considewation now dat we be livin' longer and hav become a integwal pawt of society.

Luv ya'

Dezi and Lexi

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

I too lost a kitten to FIP. It sucks.

leslie said...

Purrs and hugs to you and your angel kitty

Lynnof606 said...

It's hell to watch a fur friend suffer. Leslie did all she could and with this book Maisies story will help others.

Unknown said...

I just learned about the two types of FIP this year. We had a little foster kitten with wet FIP that stayed with us until she passed on. It is so good hear about the support that this book will bring.

AnimalBliss said...

Aww, sweet little Maisie. I have never heard of this disease before. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. You may have helped someone else with this post. Peace. :)

Unknown said...

Maisie looks sweet. FIP is a very serious issue. We had a talk with our vet about. Our fur babies should be fine. Our vet did advise us not to add another cat unless necessary.
And then only if we do all the blood work first.

Unknown said...

That is an inspiring story - takes a special person to get an idea like that and run with it. Best of luck to her.

KimT said...

Hate, hate, hate FIP - it steals the future from young lives, and makes them suffer miserably! We SO need a vaccine, treatment, cure for it. That makes this post extremely important. Kudos to you for doing what you can to get the word out about this horrendous disease, to educate and inform!

Thank you for blogging the change for animals,
KimT
BtC4Animals.com

leslie said...

Thank you for your comments and for supporting my book and FIP research! To sign up to comment and be registered to win a free copy of CAT SKILLS: Loving Care for Cats click below where it says Subscribe to: Post Comments. Lg

Anonymous said...

Thank you all for sharing your stories of love and loss. I was devastated when the radiologist told me that my little Baby had FIP, although he could not confirm until his tests came back....He was gone in less than a week- Something told me to leave work early on January 8th- to check in on Baby... On my ride home my vet informed me that Baby's tests came back positive for FIP and I asked "How long does he have?" He said, " A few days or possibly one week" . I arrived home just in time to see my little Baby, twisted and crying in pain. I wrapped him up in my soft serenity blanket and just held him. I managed to call the vet , put Baby in a basket, and drive ...I prayed the whole way and rubbed Baby's head telling him how much Mommy loved him. I made it to the vet just in time... I miss my Baby xo. FIP is a tragic disease and my heart goes out to all who have lost their companion to this disease. Katie

Unknown said...

I just lost my beautiful baby Mars early this morning. This disease is merciless. A cold blood killer. At first we didn't know if it was fip so I was hopeful and fighting as hard as him to save him. The quality of his life towards the end was awful. This disease is brutal. His spread into his brain and the last couple days he was seizing up often. As we were trying to sedate him to put him down he seized than too. I feel like he suffered even in death. This disease stole all his dignity. I won't let it keep stealing from me. I will remember my baby for his beautiful amazing beloved cute charming personality. He was so special. I am heartbroken. He was only about 14 months old...

Lin said...

Thank you for this article! Very informative.