A week ago all 3 of my cats were down with fever and viral infection. I couldn't get them to take their medication because I can't open up their jaws and pop the pill in. They would keep their jaws firmly shut. So I tried mixing the smashed pill into their food. It didn't work too because they had no appetite. After 2 days, I realised I had to send them back to the vet because they weren't eating and drinking. Prue and Phoebe appeared weak while Piper was still a little active and managed to eat some too.
When we got to the vet, Prue was so limp and lifeless. I was worried sick about her. I wanted to leave them at the vet's for a few days so that he could monitor their progress and most importantly, he is able to get them to swallow the pills. The vet promised to keep me updated of their condition and I left feeling quite satisfied now that I know they're in better hands than mine.
The next day, the vet called and said Phoebe was not looking good. She had laboured breathing and refused food. She was lying down all the time too. Prue, on the other hand appeared better. He asked for permission to do an X-Ray on Phoebe and I immediately consented to it. True enough, something was wrong. The vet found that part of her lung was filled with water, and so is her abdomen. This, he said, could be two possibilities - pneumonia or FIP (feline infectious peritonitis). He said the proten level in the fluid found in her abdomen showed high levels of protein, which then made him suspect that she's suffering from FIP.
I froze when I heard that. FIP is deadly and it kills quickly. My Phoebe is only 4 years old, turning 5 in a month. All sorts of things raced in my mind - how, when, what, WHY???
The vet told me that he'll run another test the following day to test the protein level to confirm it. There was nothing else to do but agree. I asked if FIP is contagious and to my dismay, he said yes. If Phoebe has it, most likely Piper and Prue would have it, too.
The whole night, I was in a state of shock. What if, what if....I know I can't handle the death of any of my cats. Especially if it has to happen when they're so young. But fearing the worst, I had to prepare myself for it and to be strong.
I believe in karma and rebirth. The only consolation I was able to give myself was that if Phoebe is diagnosed with FIP, it's beause God has got plans for her. Perhaps she only needs to serve a few short years in this lifetime as a cat and gets to rebirth into a better place, better realm. With this theory, I was surprisingly calm and ready to let go without feeling too much pain.
Today I popped over to the vet's to see what the results are. I had to wait for a long time as the vet was in the midst of performing surgery. While I waited, I was actually surprise that I felt no nervousness. It will be ok when he tells me the bad news. I was all ready for it. I only wanted to know what I can do next, to help ease Phoebe's pain and how much time we have.
Finally it was time to meet him. What he said still rings in my ears...and these were his words: "I measured the protein level and it has maintained, without climbing up. She is also responding to one of the antibiotics I'm giving her. A FIP positive cat does not respond to antibiotics. So we can rule out FIP at this moment."
No one will ever understand the kind of relieve and happiness I felt in my heart! It felt so unreal...but it felt so good! Then he took Phoebe into the room and really, I've never felt happier at seeing her! She was more active, meowing away and wanting to run away from the vet's grip. It was all good signs, because it means she's active again! In my heart, as I watched her, I thanked God again and again.
There is a vaccination against FIP and I was pretty sure I gave it to he girls. Certainly, you would never know if they can still contract it. But for peace of mind, I urge all pet lovers to give your loved ones any kind of vaccination that's recommended against fatal viruses. It's really not pleasant having to go through what I went through. Never take the presence of your pets for granted. They seem to be there for you all the time but when they get snatched away from you suddenly, it really hurts.
I'm lucky that Phoebe is alright. I don't ever want to go through this again. Which is why the vet wants me to give them their AIDS vaccination. After this frightening episode, I don't think I will say no to this.
When we got to the vet, Prue was so limp and lifeless. I was worried sick about her. I wanted to leave them at the vet's for a few days so that he could monitor their progress and most importantly, he is able to get them to swallow the pills. The vet promised to keep me updated of their condition and I left feeling quite satisfied now that I know they're in better hands than mine.
The next day, the vet called and said Phoebe was not looking good. She had laboured breathing and refused food. She was lying down all the time too. Prue, on the other hand appeared better. He asked for permission to do an X-Ray on Phoebe and I immediately consented to it. True enough, something was wrong. The vet found that part of her lung was filled with water, and so is her abdomen. This, he said, could be two possibilities - pneumonia or FIP (feline infectious peritonitis). He said the proten level in the fluid found in her abdomen showed high levels of protein, which then made him suspect that she's suffering from FIP.
I froze when I heard that. FIP is deadly and it kills quickly. My Phoebe is only 4 years old, turning 5 in a month. All sorts of things raced in my mind - how, when, what, WHY???
The vet told me that he'll run another test the following day to test the protein level to confirm it. There was nothing else to do but agree. I asked if FIP is contagious and to my dismay, he said yes. If Phoebe has it, most likely Piper and Prue would have it, too.
The whole night, I was in a state of shock. What if, what if....I know I can't handle the death of any of my cats. Especially if it has to happen when they're so young. But fearing the worst, I had to prepare myself for it and to be strong.
I believe in karma and rebirth. The only consolation I was able to give myself was that if Phoebe is diagnosed with FIP, it's beause God has got plans for her. Perhaps she only needs to serve a few short years in this lifetime as a cat and gets to rebirth into a better place, better realm. With this theory, I was surprisingly calm and ready to let go without feeling too much pain.
Today I popped over to the vet's to see what the results are. I had to wait for a long time as the vet was in the midst of performing surgery. While I waited, I was actually surprise that I felt no nervousness. It will be ok when he tells me the bad news. I was all ready for it. I only wanted to know what I can do next, to help ease Phoebe's pain and how much time we have.
Finally it was time to meet him. What he said still rings in my ears...and these were his words: "I measured the protein level and it has maintained, without climbing up. She is also responding to one of the antibiotics I'm giving her. A FIP positive cat does not respond to antibiotics. So we can rule out FIP at this moment."
No one will ever understand the kind of relieve and happiness I felt in my heart! It felt so unreal...but it felt so good! Then he took Phoebe into the room and really, I've never felt happier at seeing her! She was more active, meowing away and wanting to run away from the vet's grip. It was all good signs, because it means she's active again! In my heart, as I watched her, I thanked God again and again.
There is a vaccination against FIP and I was pretty sure I gave it to he girls. Certainly, you would never know if they can still contract it. But for peace of mind, I urge all pet lovers to give your loved ones any kind of vaccination that's recommended against fatal viruses. It's really not pleasant having to go through what I went through. Never take the presence of your pets for granted. They seem to be there for you all the time but when they get snatched away from you suddenly, it really hurts.
I'm lucky that Phoebe is alright. I don't ever want to go through this again. Which is why the vet wants me to give them their AIDS vaccination. After this frightening episode, I don't think I will say no to this.
4 comments:
Sorry to hear about the cats but thank God, everything's ok now.
BTW, you've been tagged. :)
i just heard from the vet today that another of my cat isn't well :( i just hope she gets through this like the other two too! ooh, it's been a long time since a tag, and what a meaningful one too! looking forward to it!
You are good ler.. still taking good care of your cats.
I have 1, but after I have kids, we just took care of the cat's basic need (food, litter box, shelter). We do not spend time with it any more. :(
i don't get much time with them either since i got pregnant. that's why i have so much regrets now but am still unable to spend time with them :( it's sad...
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