Tommy - asthma, losing weight - could be FIP

[Freedom]

Tommy is now age 12. Trapped him as a kitten of about 9 weeks of age.

He developed asthma last year while I was away for my second knee surgery. He is on medication, 1 pill daily. He has also lost weight; almost half a pound since January, and almost 3 pounds overall. Tommy has always been long, lean and lanky, so he didn't have much room for weight loss. He is all angles, and rather bony, at this point in time. He was at the vet's on Wed, senior blood panel and urinalysis. I was expecting a report of hyperthyroidism.

Vet phoned this morning. All the tests are, at best, inconclusive! Just about everything is in the normal range!

One of his protein reports has gone from 5.4 in January, to 6.0 currently. The normal range is 2.5 to 5.9, so it is barely outside of normal. The vet said this is something which waxes and wanes, we 'may' just have caught it on an up side.

She suspects FIP. There is no test for diagnosis of this. She is going to run a titer for the corona virus; that mutates in to FIP in some cats. If the antibodies are elevated, this too is not a diagnosis, it just strengthens her suspicions. She said if she saw these symptoms in a dog, she would suspect myeloma. But as far as she knows, cats don't get myeloma. (I just searched online, it is rare but can happen, and usually the cat is older.)

For now, all we can do is wait 6 months and retest.

[Catty1]

Poor Tommy! I hope the tests give some indication of what is happening.

There is a type of FIP for which there is some treatment. Might that be something to try in case it helps?

Eat some food, Tommy - your mom is worried.

[Randi]

I'm sorry Tommy has lost weight. It's difficult to know what is wrong, since his numbers are almost normal, but I know you will keep an eye on him. Is he active and eating? I hope it's not FIP.

Sending lots of positive thoughts to handsome Tommy, and to you!

[cats4ever]

Best wishes to you and Tommy!
I know how unsettling it is, when you know something's wrong, but the test results are inconclusive.
Has he had any x-rays yet?

[phesina]

We are sending love and prayers and good wishes and warm healing energies to Tommy and you, Sandie. I hope the tests will answer some questions for you, and that this turns out to be something that is treatable and/or manageable.

[Felicia's Mom]

I will keep you and Tommy in my thoughts and prayers.

[Karen]

Aww, here's hoping he stays comfortable!

[Freedom]

Tommy is eating and acts normal.

I joined an FIP support group on Facebook, only to be told they do not believe I am dealing w/ FIP. However everything else they suggested has been ruled out (they ask you to upload blood test results, to confirm things).

Tommy has always been lean and lanky. As such he had no excess weight to drop. So now he is bony and all angles. Something is very wrong. Ugh.

I have hip replacement surgery in 2 weeks, then 4 to 6 weeks recovery before I can even drive, so I may not be able to do much more until that time (about 2 months from now). At least we have baseline labs.

I know the vet opened his mouth, but I do wonder about his teeth. Tommy has always had poor dentition.

[phesina]

We're thinking of Tommy and you, Sandie, and sending along good wishes and prayers. I wish I had some helpful suggestions.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} and ~~~~PURRRS~~~~ and from Pat and Sparkler and Poppy

[cats4ever]

Sandie, I don't want to be a pain in the behind (since I mentioned this already), but has Tommy had x-rays and/or an ultrasound to rule out a tumor?
I hope you'll get some answers, hopefully before your surgery.
Positive thoughts and purrs from Heidi and kitties

[Freedom]

No, none of that as of yet, @Cats4ever. And I don't anticipate doing much more for about 2 months, due to my own surgery. Unless of course something ELSE happens first.

[cassiesmom]

I will keep you and Tommy in my thoughts and prayers.

And I will, too!

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Sandie...I'm so sad to hear all that you and Tommy are dealing with. I like phesina, wish I had something helpful to contribute; his diagnosis certainly sounds up in the air. But know I'm thinking of you both, keeping you in my thoughts and sending prayers of healing...and lots of love. Please give Tommy a hug and kiss for me.