Post Punk Kitchen Forum

A week ago I took my 9 month old Olivia to the vet because she had been lethargic and not eating. I thought she just had an upset stomach or was just under the weather like we humans get from time to time. I did not expect for him to say he suspected a fatal illness called FIP. There is no cure for it and cats will succumb to it in a matter of weeks. Needless to say the week that followed was complete hell and I cried more than I ever cried in my life. More than when I got divorced, cheated on, lost other pets and any other horrible thing I have gone through. This was different, way more intense. You just feel helpless. We had to put Olivia to sleep yesterday, since there was nothing we could do help her and I didn't want to see her wasting away. We spent a small fortune on additional testing and a specialist, just with a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe it was not FIP.
Yesterday was an odd sunny and warmish kind of winter day, and we spent the last few hours with her outside on the front porch and front yard. She wanted to be outside and thoroughly soaked up her last sunny rays. It was really emotional, but in a way sort of healing to see that she had some enjoyment in her last couple of hours. She was the best little girl and I will always hold her close in my heart.

Oh la vie. :[ I am so, so sorry to hear about little Olivia.

I'm so sorry, your story made me tear up. RIP, sweet baby girl.

I'm so sorry for your loss, but so happy Olivia had so much love and care in her too short life.

I'm so sorry. Lots of love.

la vie sale, strawberryrock went through something similar recently- she might be a good person to talk to if you need help getting through this. I am so very sorry for your loss of Olivia. She is beautiful and I'm happy her life was so filled with sunshine and love.

She was beautiful, and you clearly gave her the best possible life. I'm so sorry for your loss.

What a beautiful kitty. I'm so sorry. FIP really sucks.

Ugh. Yeah, I lost my Effie to FIP in June, also when she was 9 months. It was absolutely awful and it honestly doesn't feel any better now. I'm so sorry you had to go through it. I've written a lot about it (two things published on Catster.com) and gotten her tattooed on my arm and tried to process everything that happened but it still just sucks and I still cry about it on a regular basis.The Facebook group FIP Fighters is nice sometimes because it's a big group of people who understand. PM me if you want to talk.

(Now I feel like I should be making this more hopeful and not just telling you that I still feel awful, maybe that's not the most helpful thing, I don't know.)

Oh, I just saw that you posted in the FIP Fighters group already, so nevermind about that recommendation.

I am so sorry for your pain. I know how much you loved her. She looks very much like my cat, Prince, a male tabby. So very sorry.

I'm so sorry. I went to read about FIP and that is a scary disease because lots of cats seem to have the virus but may or may not develop FIP.

I'm really sorry for your loss. :(

I am so sorry for your loss. She was beautiful, and it was kind of you to make sure that she had a peaceful end.

So sorry for your loss x

I'm so sorry, what a horrible thing for you all to go through. You did a lot more for her than some other people would have.

Thank you all, appreciate the support. Srock, so sorry you went through the same thing. It really is just so awful and unfair. I didn't want to believe my vet so sought a second opinion. I was so angry and felt so helpless and thought they just anted it to be FIP so they could diagnose her. I kept asking if we were not looking in the wrong direction. But all the signs were there and the antibiotics weren't helping. In hindsight I think maybe there were some signs that weren't obvious to us at the time. She slept maybe more than a normal 9 month old. Maybe she started feeling bad two months ago, but more in a cranky way, she kept eating and snuggling with us. She stopped eating two weeks ago. It is a silent killer and hard to diagnose. I have learned so much about it. I know it will take me a very long to deal with but we did the best we could. Srock, I saw some comments on the FB page from people that just have not gotten over it, so I know what I could expect, don't feel bad about saying that. I know it will be hard, but I am also sadly relieved that she is not in pain anymore. I just hope my oldest cat is safe (she is 15) is strong enough to handle the virus. My boys are 5 and 11 and big and healthy, so I think they should be ok. They have all been exposed obviously. Every day should be a little less painful, I just need to stay busy.

Oh no, big hugs :(
So sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry, lvs. Olivia was with you such a short time and she was so well loved.

Oh, I'm so sorry. What a horrible disease. My heart goes out to you.

I'm so sorry. Hugs!

I'm sorry for your lost. She may have only had 9 months, but I'm sure they were good.

Thanks everyone. It's been really hard and I cry every day. I miss her so much and it's just so unfair she didn't make it that long. She was one of the funniest best cats I have ever had.

Remember that it's okay to cry and feel upset!

{{{hugs}}}

My cats are my babies so I can understand how horrible this is. They're all so smart and have wonderful personalities.