Rest in peace, Sheikra

[Lorien]

I'm so heartsick right now. As if there wasn't enough to break our hearts, I received this today from the young woman who adopted Sheikra:


I have terrible news. Sheikra had F.I.P., and had to be put to sleep today. I have never felt so horrible as I have today. The dr said when she had her URI, those were symptoms of FIP, so I just wanted to let you know since you said your cats had URI's as well. The dr said FIP is contagious. He said she only had a few weeks left, so I decided to put her down so she wasn't in pain. She was only 4 or 5 months old :( I am worried now for my other cat as well. I wanted you to know so you can keep an eye out for your cats and any others that you still may have when you had Sheikra. I got so attached and loved her more than anything, today was definitely one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I hope that yours were fortunate enough not to catch it.

Take care,

Jaime


Nim and Calliope were Sheikra's playmates for the week prior to her adoption, and they have tested negative for FIP (Goblin, Khephra, and Hecate also shared the kitten room with her). I don't know how cats catch this terrible disease, but I pray that her other cat has been spared.I feel just awful for Jaime; she loved Sheikra the moment she saw her, and they were a perfect match. It's so damned unfair. :cry:


You'll be missed, sweet Sheikra

[ET Awful]

1. Oh no :(

:cry:

Poor baby.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. DAMN!!!! Was that really the only alternative??? What a crying shame.

:cry:


http://www.newmanveterinary.com/fip.html

[Lorien]

3. She sent me a second email

apparently Sheikra's stomach was bloated, had labored breathing and she had lost her appetite. Jaime took her to two vets, both of whom said FIP (the second one did a chest tap). They said that she was very uncomfortable and probably in pain, so that's why Jaime chose to put her down. I just feel awful about it. On top of it all, now I need to test Oberon, Puck and Miro for FIP because she spent time with them all (FIP can stay in their systems for a year without showing any symptoms). I'm pretty sick with worry, plus I feel just terrible for Sheikra and Jaime. :cry:

[regnaD kciN]

8. Unfortunately, it was...

FIP is pretty much an automatic death sentence for a cat. I'm quite vocal about people who euthanize pets too quickly, but there would be little choice in this case. :-(

[superconnected]

4. Lorien I am so sorry.

What a terrible terrible loss.

[Princess Turandot]

5. I'm so sorry...

I have the impression that the screening tests are not super reliable; there are two types, a quick one and one that needs to be sent to an outside lab usually. FIP is a coranavirus, which has many forms. (I believe it is one of the illness kittens are vaccinated for, but like the flu, the vaccine cannot cover all versions of the coronavirus.) Many cats/kittens are exposed to the specific form of the coronavirus which can mutate into FIP and most do not develop FIP. From what I've read, the sick cat can spread the disease just early on in the infection, like a week to ten days. She could have gotten exposed to the disease from the momcat. She may have had a weakened immune system for some reason.

There are quite a few references here if you want to read more abt it, altho I imagine you have your own sources:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/alphalinks2-a.html

I only know of one kitten who survived FIP, and it required a huge amount of supportive care of all sorts and perhaps the hand of God.
I know the owner's vet took no credit for the kitten's survival. She was not suffering, her owners decided to keep going with supportive care and by some miracle, she pulled through.

[Robeson]

6. I'm so sorry, Lorien. She looks just like my Burr kitty....

...I'm truly sorry.

[regnaD kciN]

7. How awful...

Prayers for your other kitties, too.

[ernstbass]

9. I'm so sorry

It's hard enough when we have to say goodbye to a pet who has lived a long life but this is terrible. I hope the others will test negative.

[ehrnst]

10. oh....I still have some hope to share for your other kitties.

O8)

[Lisa0825]

11. I'm so sorry....

What a beautiful kitty. :hug:

[SiouxJ]

12. So sorry Jen

and I'm thinking positive thoughts for your other kitties - the fosters and your own.

[meow2u3]

13. Sorry for your loss

I'm also worried about your other cats.

I lost my then 14-year-old cat, Bonaparte, to FIP in 1996. We took in a kitten (who died at the shelter) who was the one who ended up giving FIP to him. Boney died in my arms as the vet give him the shot that put him to sleep :(

[Lorien]

14. How long was it between the time the new kitten came into

your home, and Bonaparte began showing signs of illness?


I'm so sorry for your loss, too. :hug:

[Eurobabe]

15. sobbing, oh no it was THAT precious kitty!!!!

Little Angel, R.I.P. Horrible news. -48

[Branjor]

16. RIP sweet Sheikra

:cry: