Mr Meow......biopsy update (1-2-2008)

[jenluckenbach]

The lymph node was not cancerous. But do not celebrate just yet. :(

The diagnosis (pending some other tests, special stains)is pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis which means immflamation of the lymphatic system ("pyo"=pus). Most likely cause..... FIP.

What do we do next?
-supportive care. He will get a steroid shot again (probably tomorrow or Friday to help with the diarrhea, and immflamation in general)

- depending on the results of these other tests/stains, there is a medicine that might work BETTER for him than the steroid shots. I believe the vet said cyclosporine, but I did not have his spell it (since we aren't actually using it yet).

So.....more waiting. But as we all know, FIP is totally uncurable. All we will be able to do is keep him comfortable if they decide on this diagnosis. The vet did not mention any other of the options of what could be causing the immflamation, just that they are trying to rule things out.

As for Mr Meow. He eats about 3 out of every 4 meals I offer him. And the diarrhea is quite liquid. But he is acting mostly normal.

[slick]

I have been following the adventures of Mr. Meow but have not posted until now. I'm glad that you finally have a "somewhat" diagnosis and that there is a new drug he can try. All fingers and paws crossed that it will work and give him some extra time with you.

I can't imagine how this must be tearing you apart. :( Sending you big {{{hugs}}} across the miles and some loving scritches for Mr. Meow.

[Catty1]

Dear Mr. Meow - FIP the 'most likely cause'...yeah, I wanna stick my head in the sand and HOPE it is not that.

However...the fact that he has thrived for so long with the Depoprovera gives me hope that his illness, FIP or no, can be managed.

How contagious is FIP? Or do adult cats develop an immunity?

Praying and hoping for the best. Thanks for the update! Give that fluffy boy a hug for me.

ETA: Cyclosporine is an immunosupressant, used as an antirejection drug in transplant patients, and in combo with other meds for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

I think it's all the love that has made all the difference! Hoping for non-FIP results.

hugs

[Medusa]

So it's a good news, bad news kinda thing. I'm so sorry; hoping that it isn't FIP but if it is, that you'll be able to keep him comfortable.

[Catlady711]

How contagious is FIP? Or do adult cats develop an immunity?


As far as I know FIP is contagious from mucus, saliva or bite wounds.

[Catlady711]

I hope Mr. Meow doesn't have FIP and there is another cause that's treatable. Me and my furkids will say a prayer for him.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jen, I'm glad to hear that Mr. Meow doesn't have cancer:) but I sure hope that he doesn't have FIP either.:( I always thought that if a cat had FIP that they would get very weak and die within a few weeks. I hope that whatever he has can be treated and that he'll be able to remain as comfortable as possible. I'll continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[orangemm]

Praying lots for this little guy; I have been reading and watching about him and know your heart is heavy.

Lots of prayers, hugs, and scritches coming your way...........

[kimlovescats]

Oh Jen, I sure hope it isn't that horrid FIP! :(

[Anikaca77]

My prays for Mr. Meow that it's not FIP. My hugs and prays.

Melissa

[jazzcat]

I really hope it's not FIP. Lots of prayers going out.

[kb2yjx]

Jenn, this was kinda good news/bad news. But as long as Mr. Meow is with you, he will get the best care possible!!! Prayers for you both!!! Sandra

[jennielynn1970]

Awe... I hope it's not FIP, but if it is, he's been holding on this long, so he is a survivor. Not all cats die immediately from FIP.... doesn't Kathy W. have a cat that's had FIP for years??? I hope there is something they can give him to keep him comfortable and have a good life with you.

[Catty1]

Jen, if it does turn out to be FIP, I looked up some recent info and can email the page (just one page!) to you. :)

Hugs and more PT Prayers for Mr Meow!

He's done very well so far, so there is hope.

[cassiesmom]

Sweet Mister Meow, I hope it is not FIP.

[Craftlady]

Will keep good thoughts and prayers that it's not FIP

[maerlyn]

I don't get here very much, so I'm just now learning about Mr. Meow - and can't begin to say how glad I am that it's not cancer - and how sad I am that it might be FIP.

Back in October, I had the vet use those words to me when I took My Sweet Lady in for labored breathing. When the vet mentioned FIP, I nearly threw up onto the exam table. However, somewhere, somehow, I learned that FIP is not contagious - I have three other felines in the house! Even at that, I was most relieved to learn that Lady doesn't have FIP, and I pray that Mr. Meow doesn't either.

Although Lady's problem, like Mr. Meow's, is with her lymphatic system, it isn't from an infection - which surely is more easily treated than what she does have: idiopathic chylothorax. Her only symptom has been labored breathing - none of the diarrhea you mention.

Oh, Jen, I hope for a happy outcome for you & Mr. Meow! I"ll try to get here more often to watch his progress.

[K & L]

Good luck with this! Hopefully all will work out!

[catmandu]

THE FOUND CATS AND I ARE PRAYING TOO THAT MR MEOW WILL BE ALL RIGHT , AND THATS ITS NOT FIP.
I KNOW THAT THE PET ANGELS, LED BY Y.LEE WILL BE THERE TO COMFORT MR MEOW AND MAKE HIM FEEL GOOD.
:cool:
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT MR MEOW IS IN THE BEST PLACE THAT HE CAN BE IN WITH ONE OF THE MOST CARING MEOWMIES ON PET TALK.

[phesina]

Glad that Mr. Meow does not have cancer, but prayers that he does not have FIP.

Whatever is going on with him, he could not be in a better home, and he will always have the most love and very best care possible.

Love to both of you, Jen and Mr. Meow.

Pat and cats

[Catlady711]

However, somewhere, somehow, I learned that FIP is not contagious - I have three other felines in the house!

I'm not sure by the information that it's not contagious. FIP is caused by a corona virus (not quite like the dog version). Many cats carry the corona virus but do not have FIP. Cats can spread the corona virus by saliva, feces, and direct contact. When the virus mutates it then becomes FIP. It's kinda complicated and an idividual response to the virus so not all cats exposed to the corona virus will get FIP.


From the Cornell Feline Heath Center (http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html)

Infected cats shed coronavirus in their saliva and feces. Most cats become infected by inhaling or ingesting the virus, either by direct contact with an infected cat, or by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces like clothing, bedding, feeding bowls, or toys.

Although the virus can survive for a number of weeks in the environment, it is rapidly inactivated by most household detergents and disinfectants. An inexpensive and effective disinfectant is one part of household bleach in thirty-two parts of water (4 ounces of bleach per gallon of water).

Most cats that undergo the primary infection completely recover, although some of them may become virus carriers. Only a small percentage of exposed cats develop the lethal disease: weeks, months, or perhaps years after primary infection.

Young cats (less than two years of age), older cats (over ten years old), cats in poor physical condition, and cats undergoing concurrent infections or stress are more susceptible to FIP. It is a relatively uncommon disease in the general cat population, probably affecting fewer than one percent of the cats brought to a veterinarian's office for treatment. In multiple-cat populations such as some shelters and catteries the disease rate can be much higher, affecting up to 10 to 20 percent of the susceptible population over a period of several months.

Can I protect my cat from getting FIP?
In multiple cat environments, keeping cats as healthy as possible and minimizing exposure to infectious agents lessens the likelihood of cats' developing FIP. Preventing overcrowding, keeping cats current on vaccinations, providing proper nutrition and adequate sanitation, and eliminating feline leukemia virus infections can be helpful in reducing the incidence of FIP groups of cats.

Once clinical signs appear, cats with the effusive (wet) form of FIP will live a few days to a few weeks, although some adult cats may linger for six to eight months. Cats with the dry form of FIP usually die within a few weeks, but survival for up to a year or more is possible.

Providing good nursing care and feeding a balanced, highly nutritious diet will make your cat more comfortable in the terminal stages of the disease. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to reduce the discomfort associated with the disease or provide more-specific supportive therapy.

[momcat]

Jen, I wish I knew what to say to make all of this go away. I don't recall how old Mr. Meow is but I hope this might help just a little bit. When it came time to have Groucho neutered our vet did the standard pre-op tests. He tested positive for FIP but our vet said that since he was under 6 months old he could be testing positive for his mother's antibodies. Doctor scheduled a second test a few weeks later, the count was better but not where she wanted to see it. A third test was done and Groucho tested negative. This might be something to discuss with your vet.
Many prayers continue to be prayed for Mr. Meow and for you.....

[jenluckenbach]

Jen, I wish I knew what to say to make all of this go away. I don't recall how old Mr. Meow is but I hope this might help just a little bit. When it came time to have Groucho neutered our vet did the standard pre-op tests. He tested positive for FIP but our vet said that since he was under 6 months old he could be testing positive for his mother's antibodies. Doctor scheduled a second test a few weeks later, the count was better but not where she wanted to see it. A third test was done and Groucho tested negative. This might be something to discuss with your vet.
Many prayers continue to be prayed for Mr. Meow and for you.....
This sounds much more like FIV than FIP. (very easy to confuse)

Also, keep in mnd there are 2 forms of FIP (effusive and non-effusive) aka wet vs. dry forms. The wet form is much worse.

But, Mr Meow has been here for almost 7 months...... His only initial symptom was that he would not eat. He hasn't had diarrhea until recently (and I am not sure whether he still does today or not)

What I can tell you is that for the past 2 days or so he has eaten VERY well! :)

So....we wait for the results of the "stains".

[rosethecopycat]

I'm not sure by the information that it's not contagious. FIP is caused by a corona virus (not quite like the dog version). Many cats carry the corona virus but do not have FIP. Cats can spread the corona virus by saliva, feces, and direct contact. When the virus mutates it then becomes FIP. It's kinda complicated and an idividual response to the virus so not all cats exposed to the corona virus will get FIP.



[/I]

It is kind of tricky to understand. Up to 80% of cats coming from shelter or breeder environments will titre high for coronavirus. Then in only a small percentage will it mutate into FIP.
Oddly enough, of approximately 50 fosters I have had, 2 have developed FIP in their forever homes. :(
That is much higher than the FIP statistics read. I've had about a 4% occurrence. I hope I never encounter or hear of it again.
(my personal cats were exposed, I assume, but never developed FIP, even my immune comprimised old man Malfi)
Testing directly for FIP is unreliable. It only tells you of exposure to coronaviruses, which like I said, most of my cats would titre high for.

My gut says Mr. Meow doesn't have FIP. FIP doesn't really have anything to do with the golf ball sized lump that he's got, does it?

All the best to Mr. Meow & Jen

[Freedom]

Jen, I'm glad to hear that Mr. Meow doesn't have cancer:) but I sure hope that he doesn't have FIP either.:( . . . . . . I hope that whatever he has can be treated and that he'll be able to remain as comfortable as possible. I'll continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))
I can't say any better than this. Prayers from RI for Mr. Meow, and hugs to you, Jen. He is definitely in a good place for TLC!

[kb2yjx]

Jenn, any results yet????

[jenluckenbach]

not yet. hopefully SOON!

Good news: no more diarrhea and a WONDERFUL appetite!

[Laura's Babies]

Poor baby. My prayers are with him. He couldn't be in any better hands than yours!

[Catty1]

YAAAY! Mr Meow - you go! Asymptomatic is good, no matter what the tests show! Mr Meow didn't read the reports, so he is doing fine! :D

Jen, give that guy a snuggle for me!

[jenluckenbach]

I hate waiting for results!!!! GGGRRRR.

But here is a piece of news to celebrate about.

Mr. Meow, after living here for 6 months, being force fed, eating Meow Mix market select EXCLUSIVELY, sticking his nose in the air over MULTIPLE choices of food............was caught eating DRY cat food! :eek: Unbelievable!

[catmandu]

I WOULD TRY THE ROYAL CANIN SAMPLE BAGS JEN AS THEY USUALLY ARE PRICED QUITE REASONABLY. JOSEPHS TEETH ARE STILL A LITTLE TENDER SO HE GETS THE ROYALCANIN KITTEN 2 DOLLARS FOR A 12 OZ BAGS, AND HOPEFULY COMING DOWN IN PRICE.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/new%20photos/cats1011759.jpg
WE ARE ALL PRAYING FOR MR MEOW.

[phesina]

Mr. Meow, great news you're eating kibble on your own! You go, boy!

[kb2yjx]

Jenn, obviously Mr. Meow is very PICKY about his food and now has found what HE wants to eat!!!!!!!YEA!!!!!!!!!

[momcat]

I've been thinking and wondering about Mr. Meow. How great that he's eating on his own! More scritchies, prayers and hugs are being sent for both of you.