Just noticed something scary about my RB-cat...

[Kirsten]

... Aysche (1984 - 1986). I have just posted her picture in the Cat General forum, in the tortie thread. Now look at her eyes: When I just looked at her, I saw her pupils look differently dilated. :(

http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/petcemetery/aysche.jpg

Aysche died very young, from FIP. Till the day I had to put her to sleep, I had no idea how sick she was, even though she had many health problems all her life. (I know, it's hard to believe I didn't realize earlier she was gravely ill, but she was my first cat and I didn't had much experience with cats at that time. :()

Anyway, she had the wet form of FIP and showed the first symptoms at the age of 6 months, and she still lived for more than a year after the disease broke out, which is a very long time for the wet FIP form.

Now what scared me so many years after her passing is that these dilate pupils must have been an indication for a neurological damage. :( I know this can happen whit FIP, but that photo has been taken at least 9 months before her passing, at a time when she was still acting very normal and more or less healthy. But she must have been so sick already! And now I'm feeling so bad for her that I didn't notice while I had her! :(

Kirsten

[lailamara]

It's always easier to figure things out after the events. You gave her a happy life full of love . What else could you have done.

[moosmom]

Kirsten,

Did you have a necropsy done after Aysche died? The reason I ask is FIP is a combination of 7 coronaviruses. And the only way (according to MY vet) to detect FIP is through a necropsy (feline autopsy).

MooShoo (my Sphynx) tested positive for FIP when he was about 6 months old. While it doesn't mean he HAS the disease, it does mean he was exposed to it.

I'm sorry about Aysche. She was a beautiful cat! As far as her eyes are concerned, there IS a condition that causes one pupil to be smaller than the other. Both cats and humans can have it. The reason I know this, is because I went to my eye doctor for an eye exam. She told me that I have the same (I can't remember the name of it, darn it!!) problem. One of my pupils is smaller than the other at times. She said it also is accompanied by a droopy eyelid. I'll try to find out what the name is and post it when I do.

One question...did you get her from a breeder? If so, I'd contact them and let them know about Aysche's condition.

Please, do not beat yourself up over this. Sometimes hindsight can be very annoying. Don't let "what ifs" make you lose sleep. You did the best you could for Aysche and she had a very happy life in the short time she was with you. Let that be a comfort to you.

[[[hugs]]]
Donna

[Kirsten]

Thanks, lailamara! You're probably right, and besides, since there is no FIP treatment, it wouldn't have changed much if I'd known earlier about her condition, only that I would have been more worried which would have probably stressed her.

Moosmommy, no, I didn't have a necropsy done, the vet told me from her symptoms it's been FIP (loss of weight, but that big balloon-like belly, jaundice, change in personality), it's been the terminal stage of her disease when the vet has realized what's been wrong with her.

I think back in 86, when my Aysche died, FIP was still pretty unknown in Germany, my vet said Aysche has only been her second case of FIP at that time.

Meanwhile I know FIP is caused by the corona virus, and that they are in many cats and usually only cause diarhhea in kittens, but that they sometimes mutate and cause FIP. Needless to say, I hate that disease from the bottom if my heart and fear it as well. Too bad that there's still no reliable vaccination. The one there is might even do damage to a cat that is already infected with the "harmless" corona virus. :(

And yes, I got Aysche from a breeder, but not a professional one. You're right, I should have called her, but I did not think about that at that time. Like I said before, Aysche was my first cat and I was only 20, and I didn't have much experience with cats.
Today, I would handle things differently, and with hopefully more responsibility! :o

Oh, and do you think that eye condition you've mentioned could have been a side effect of FIP?

Kirsten

[moosmom]

Kirsten,

I wasn't cat savy when I adopted my second cat Casey. In fact, I can't even remember if I had him tested for Feline Aids or Feline Leukemia!! I just remember bringing a 4 week old kitten home as a companion to Mollie Rose. Now they go right to the vet before they set paws in my house. You kinda learn as you go along.

I couldn't say for sure if the eye condition was part of FIP. And you're right, FIP wasn't as well known as it is today. You did what was best for your furbaby. She was well taken care of and well loved. THAT is what matters.

When I first found out about Moo being exposed to FIP, I was furious! I exposed my entire household (6 other cats) to FIP because the damn breeder didn't inform anyone, when we rescued them, that they MIGHT have it. Out of a litter of 7 Sphynxes that we rescued, Moo and his cousin Pixel are the only survivors. All the other died within 6 months of each other. Necropsies were done and were inconclusive. But all the symptoms pointed to FIP. I'm very lucky in that Moo is a whopping 13.5 pounds and healthy as a horse (except for him being partially blind).

[Kirsten]

Donna, that is so sad what happened to you and the litter you've adopted, I'm so very sorry to hear that! :( How terribly irresponsible of that breeder not to inform you!!! :(

How old are Moo and Pixel now? Do they have the corona virus inside of them? I know it happens cats can have the virus for many years and FIP never breaks out.

FIP is actually one of the reasons why I'm hesitating to adopt a second cat, because you can never be sure, even if you have them tested. Luna is vaccinated against the other cat diseases, but I don't trust that FIP vaccine available! :(

Kirsten

[IttyBittyKitty]

Kirsten, you really shouldn't beat yourself up about this. It is so hard to notice those "little things" that may be wrong with your pet when she is otherwise acting normally. You become more instinctive in knowing when something is wrong with your cat - like everything it comes with experience and you've done well in dealing with Luna's current health troubles.

Your lovely kitty would have had a happy time in her life with you, which is a great gift when you think of all those unhappy furrbabies out there.

Rest in peace at the RB, lovely Aysche.

Donna, have you got a "Pixel" too? :D

[Kirsten]

Thanks! :)

I really never noticed about this eye-thing when she was still alive, but I'm sure that today - with the experiences I have meanwhile - I would realize when my cat would be THAT sick again. She WAS showing symptoms, but I did not know it any better. And she never complained.

Today, I'm almost TOO careful when I think something's wrong with Luna, at least this is what people are always telling me, but I think it's better to be safe than sorry...

Kirsten

[HayleyRosie]

I know what you mean about being too careful. I am also wondering about Hayley and Mandy. Especially since Mandy was so sick with that infection a while back.

[Kirsten]

Especially since Mandy was so sick with that infection a while back.

I can understand that very well! Nothing's worse than having to say "If I only had..."

What kind of infection did Mandy have? Hope she's alright now!

Kirsten

[catmandu]

I agree with the Threads , eye dilation in a Cat is very hard to notice , especially ifthe Cat appears to be healthy and you are not looking for something to be wrong! I know that you did the best that you could and it is futile to live in regret , as I sometimes do over Pouncer. Sometimes you just have to move on and try better with the Next Cats!Catmandu.Cats And RB CATS!

[Kirsten]

Thanks, catmandu. What happened to your Pouncer if I may ask? :(

Kirsten