Posting in comments so as not to depress the neighborhood view -- wish we had a cut method like livejournal.
Queso had wet-form FIP, which is a terminal disease in which the cellular walls, particularly of the blood vessels, begin to break down and leak fluid. He survived a long time with it, and in fact when we first had his bloodwork done it wasn't apparent from his globulin levels that we even had to worry about it. Even if we had known, the prednisolone he was taking was the only potential treatment. It did not work.
Queso had ahead of him, at best, one more week of increasing pain. And yet, even this morning without his medication he was affectionate and sweet. After the vet made the diagnosis, I brought him home so the boy could spend some time with him. Then the boy went to a friend's house (his choice), and Dan and I took Queso back to the vet. Dan bought him an A&W cheeseburger and we spent some time snuggling. And when it was his time to go, he slipped away with the smallest of sighs while I held him.
We will be vigilant for a while to make sure Ham did not contract the disease (but it typically only affects cats with weakened immune systems, the chances of him contracting it being about 1 in 5000). We will be hurting for a while without Queso. But we are better for him being a part of our lives.
Thanks, LT. There are a lot of hugs and tears today.
Apparently FeCV (Feline coronavirus, I think that stands for) is extremely common in households with more than 2 cats (and of course in shelters). When healthy cats contract FeCV they get mild diarrhea. When cats with depressed immune systems contract FeCV, it can mutate into FIPV, which is the virus that causes FIP.
Basically, because he had a URI when we got him he probably also had FeCV and never had a chance. Since Ham is more closely related to oxen and pumas than domestic cats, he will probably be all right. He's playing with the dog right now. But there's no test we can give him -- we just have to watch him to make sure he doesn't start losing weight, and if he does, we do the bloodwork, and if it looks the least bit funky we put him on steroids immediately just to hedge our bets.
I'm so so sorry to hear this. {{{{{hugs}}}}} Poor pussens. You cared for him so well -- I'm sure your love and caring meant a great deal to him. {{{{{more hugs}}}}}
Poor, sweet Queso! But he spent his last days with people who loved him, and he went to the rainbow bridge with a tummy full of cheeseburger. ((((((hugs to all))))))
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Posting in comments so as not to depress the neighborhood view -- wish we had a cut method like livejournal.
Queso had wet-form FIP, which is a terminal disease in which the cellular walls, particularly of the blood vessels, begin to break down and leak fluid. He survived a long time with it, and in fact when we first had his bloodwork done it wasn't apparent from his globulin levels that we even had to worry about it. Even if we had known, the prednisolone he was taking was the only potential treatment. It did not work.
Queso had ahead of him, at best, one more week of increasing pain. And yet, even this morning without his medication he was affectionate and sweet. After the vet made the diagnosis, I brought him home so the boy could spend some time with him. Then the boy went to a friend's house (his choice), and Dan and I took Queso back to the vet. Dan bought him an A&W cheeseburger and we spent some time snuggling. And when it was his time to go, he slipped away with the smallest of sighs while I held him.
We will be vigilant for a while to make sure Ham did not contract the disease (but it typically only affects cats with weakened immune systems, the chances of him contracting it being about 1 in 5000). We will be hurting for a while without Queso. But we are better for him being a part of our lives.
How did he get the FIP? I'm sure Hampants will be fine but he won't like the tests.
Thanks, LT. There are a lot of hugs and tears today.
Apparently FeCV (Feline coronavirus, I think that stands for) is extremely common in households with more than 2 cats (and of course in shelters). When healthy cats contract FeCV they get mild diarrhea. When cats with depressed immune systems contract FeCV, it can mutate into FIPV, which is the virus that causes FIP.
Basically, because he had a URI when we got him he probably also had FeCV and never had a chance. Since Ham is more closely related to oxen and pumas than domestic cats, he will probably be all right. He's playing with the dog right now. But there's no test we can give him -- we just have to watch him to make sure he doesn't start losing weight, and if he does, we do the bloodwork, and if it looks the least bit funky we put him on steroids immediately just to hedge our bets.
I hope never to cross that bridge.
hee! at Ham being related to oxen. He's probably fine then! I love how he's got the dog in line.
*hugs*
The memories of the last days of my dog came back...
(((HUGS to you & the fam)))
RIP, Queso.