As many of you know the end of 2022 was hard for us. The mainstay of our family, Oliver, passed away at 19. We were all devastated. Oliver was my best friend all my life. It took some time for the emotional wounds to heal, and for my heart to be ready to love another beautiful perfect little ball of fuzz.

I had originally gone to the SPCA that day to look at another kitten. Before I was able to see him he was adopted out by another family. I decided to take a walk around and look at the other kittens, and that's when I noticed a cage in the back with three tiny babies inside. When I got to the cage two of the other kittens were snuggling and then there was just the one all by himself. Almost as soon as I picked him up he reached up with his tiny paw and placed it on my chin. I knew at that moment that he was mine.

What a whirlwind Beez has been since. The adventures we have already gone on together. Many of you are friends of mine on Facebook and follow him on Instagram you know what a great time we've been having. When he started presenting with a little bit of a cold we didn't think much of it. He had an upper respiratory infection when he was first brought into the shelter and was told that he could have a relapse later.

Beez temperature quickly rose to 104°. The vet gave him kitty Tylenol and they placed a water sack just under his skin. The first night was a little scary and I wasn't happy with the way he was reacting so we soon went back to the vet the next day. At that time his fever had reached 106°. Another water sack was placed under his skin. This time they also took blood and a few swabs to see if they can figure out what was wrong with my boy.

Yesterday I got the most devastating news. My Beelzebub has been diagnosed with FIP (Feline infectious peritonitis). The vet I have been taking him to told us there was no hope. My beautiful little Beelzebub is going to die.

I refused to accept that as an answer. We immediately began googling and scouring the internet for all the information we could on FIP. Everything that we found was not very promising. That's when I found FIP Warriors on Facebook. What a support group they have been for me just in the last 24 hours. There is hope and there is medication. It's not going to be an easy road for him, and it will not be cheap.

Beez will need 83 days of injections. Each vial of medication cost about $83. Between his medication and the supplies that we are going to need the total cost of treatment will be around $3,000.

I know that times are hard for everyone but this is where I ask for help. I simply cannot sit back and allow my baby's life to end this way. I've already been in contact with somebody else within the area that is also going through FIP treatments for her cat. Her cat was jaundiced and on his deathbed. Her vet told her nothing else can be done and made an appointment for the cat to be put down the next day. Her cat is only in the second week of treatments and the change in him is miraculous. We almost couldn't believe it was true! The hope that I have for my little Beelzebub after speaking with the support group is tremendous. I just can't do it alone. Anything that can be donated is so gratefully appreciated.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is caused by the animal version of the coronavirus. Please do not mistake this for the same virus we have been dealing with for the past 3 years. The coronavirus is very common among cats and other animals. Most cats will have this virus in their life but they're easily able to fight it off. Households that have five or more cats, shelters, and foster homes will most likely always have coronavirus amongst the cats. Only about 5% of cats will develop FIP. While the coronavirus is transmittable between cats, FIP is not.

There is no test for FIP so there is no way to be able to tell if a cat will develop it. Unfortunately by the time the cat is presenting with symptoms, it's normally too late.

There are two forms of FIP. A wet form and a dry form. The wet form affects more of the gastrointestinal and stomach. The dry form is on the neurological side. Our Beez has the dry form of FIP. It will affect his eyes and his brain. We're currently watching for any changes in vision and any wobbliness when he walks.

If you would like any more information on FIP or have any questions please let me know. We can link you to a site that can give you more information.

There is hope for him.