A Prayer Request and a Warning for pet owners

[Nataku X]

A Prayer Request and a Warning for pet owners

I just received a FIP positive diagnosis for my cat, Shadowfax. If she does indeed have FIP, she will die in weeks. FIP is 100% fatal and death always occurs within weeks. However her symptoms are not consistent with FIP (she has been well for a week). The vet gave a 50%-50% possibility of actually having FIP versus a false positive.

My cats are a very special part of my life, especially because I have a very hard time being "social"--thus they're two of my very best friends. They really helped to pull me out of depression that had lasted an year. So getting this diagnosis has been heartbreaking.

My prayer request is that:

(1) God will find it in His will to make her diagnosis a false positive--if she still is well in about a month, she's home free.

(2) If she does indeed have FIP, to give me the wisdom to know when it is time to put her to sleep, and the courage to stay with her as she dies.

Now here comes the warning part.

The most likely cause of Shadowfax's illness is from my other cat, Jabez. When I first got Jabez--before I got Shadowfax--I was not a very wise pet owner, and in search of a more permanent apartment, I stayed temporarily at another person's apartment for one month. This roommate had an outdoors cat (a stray who appeared on her doorstep).

Although Jabez did not go outdoors, he nonetheless had contact with this cat, and although this cat appeared healthy and clean, he acquired herpes (but has since fought it off to dormancy). He most likely got FIP as well, and his days probably are numbered as well. FIP is like AIDS--cats can carry for the virus for a long while, but when the symptoms manifest themselves, it's only weeks to death.

So the warning is: NEVER LET YOUR CAT COME IN CONTACT WITH OTHER CATS, no matter how "clean" they may look. I learned the hard way how it is easy to spread diseases between other cats. Also if you have a person taking care of your cat, be sure and leave EXPLICIT instructions to never, ever allow your cat to come in contact with others. Jabez was not allowed out of my room (he was only staying a month anyway) and would never have came in contact with this cat if my ex-roommate had not let him out without my permission!

FIP information

[Nataku X]

Picture taken of Shadowfax, today.

[iceskater]

What a beautiful cat! I hope you get good news from the vet that it's not FIP.

[iceskater]

Pinging you to cat concern.

[EggsAckley]

What a beauty! I pray for things to turn out fine.......and I DO understand how a pet can "nurse" a person out of a depression. Best of luck to you both.

[Paradox]

As a cat-guy myself, I have never seen a more beautiful feline. My condolences.

I was lucky with my cats, I had a cat door and let them run loose in the neighborhood whenever they wanted. Luckily they never contracted anything deadly. They did bring home a few "presents" though.

Your warnings to cat owners are correct though. We are obligated to take care of our pets as best we practically can.

[trisham]

I'm really sorry to hear about your beloved cat's possible illness. She's so beautiful.

[Lion in Winter]

What a beauty!!

My daughter loves cats and has a gorgeous new grey FLUFFY kitten.

I will tell her about this FIP.

[bayourod]

I wish you the best and appreciate the warning.

[Ueriah]

I will include Shadowfax in my prayers. As an owner of two cats myself, my heart goes out for you and I hope that things work out well for you.

[OMalley]

Prayers for your beautiful kitty

[Nataku X]

Be sure and have the kitten tested if you can...

I got complacent also because I had both cats tested before they were brought into the household and they both tested negative for FIP, FeLV, etc... that's why I'm near-100% certain that this FIP was acquired from this other cat.

[Lady Jag]

What a beautiful cat and what an ironic way for him/her to get sick!

Nakatu X, your baby has my prayers and the hopes the diagnosis is in error. I've heard it said at my vet's office when another patient had the good news of a false positive and I will focus on that.

Bless you both.

[Revelation 911]

my Tommy had feline lukemia - he was normally a very muscular strong cat - more of a dog (personality wise) than a cat - he got skinny and the doc said he was terminal - he went within a week.....we were crushed - he was the only cat I ever enjoyed - all the others seem nasty -

he would lay down on the linoluem floor and wait for you to spin him around like a propeller LOL - he was a rescued stray with the prettiest emerald green eyes with a black and white coat - with a black mustache like Chaplin - we used to have him wear a bowtie at Christmas

He was a good kitty

Now we have an orange angora bunny who is every bit the "pet hog"

Prayers for you and your shadowfax

[Tijeras_Slim]

I hope all goes well for your kitty.

[Nataku X]

Thank you very much. She has a beautiful personality to go with her looks. I cried when I came home after the vet's, and she wiped the tears off. Only time can tell.

[silverleaf]

Your post touched my heart. I do hope its false pos. The people who love their pets so much will "know" if and when it is time to say goodbye for a while.
God Bless.

[silverleaf]

Your post touched my heart. I do hope its false pos. The people who love their pets so much will "know" if and when it is time to say goodbye for a while.
God Bless.

[billbears]

I am so sorry to hear about that. As a cat owner will be praying for you and Shadowfax

[Nataku X]

That must have been devestating. I am sorry for your poor Tommy. He sounds like he was a hoot, and there is always the promise of reunification in Heaven...

I used to have an Angora bunny as well. These things are so much fun, but also so hard to maintain, they've got the most "matteable" fur! Thank you for your prayers and God bless

[Xenalyte]

Oh, honey, prayers for you and Shadowfax. My three cats and the Dread Boston Salty send face-nuzzling.