Betty' FIP treatment

Hi,

We are Candice and Simon, proud cat parents of our sweet girl Betty ( her brother Archie who also passed from FIP in November) and Harry, our beefcake kitten.

We are currently experiencing for the second time since adopting our babies that Betty has FIP as well as a side complication of large liver and low red blood count. When we adopted Archie and Betty June 2024 at 2.5 months old they were the sweetest small babies we had been waiting for but Archie was extremely small for his age and seemed to have chronic issues with his sight and catching colds. He ended up not being able to cope with FIP as it showed up as the dry version and affected his neurological and eyes before taking an almost overnight turn for the worse and we sadly, even if having access to the medication ( which wasn't readily available in Canada yet) wouldn't give him back to us as he was. He couldn't see, hear, move, feed himself and we sadly made the choice to let him go.

His sister Betty seemed the picture of health ( although still a small kitten) and we got her another playmate months later in Harry. They are more like boyfriend and girlfriend than brother and sister and we love how much they love each other.

Over the last few weeks we noticed Betty took a down turn. Lethargic, almost sweaty looking and we saw our local vet did some blood work, urinalysis and basic check up. She was anaemic, low red blood cell count and a fever. Even with her brother having had FIP it was low on the list and a virus, bacteria or autoimmune issue was more fitting. We did some more tests, got her on steroids and antibiotics and the following check up she was perkier and looked better with the fever gone but her blood tests were saying that she actually was worse.

We then did the 2 hour drive to the specialist hospital and she then took a turn for the worse as always got there. Grateful we trusted our guts and she spend the next 3 nights there under care of the staff. They determined that it was actual more likely FIP as the steroids and antibiotics they used weren't doing the trick. They biopsied her liver which was also inflamed, her blood sugar low, blood count low and a small fever again. Until she was stable for at home care we left her in their hands and hoped that we wouldn't have to say goodbye to another sweet baby.

Fast foreward a few days she is not at home and stable, however she is on a few medications including the one for FIP, is getting additional nutrition, medication and hydration through a nasalesophogeal tube and we are watching her 24/7 closely.

As we have had so much happen over the last 6 months with vets we are putting out this go fund me as my partner and I are both freelancers and even if we had pet insurance most in Canada do not offer coverage of FIP as it's a pre-existing condition in cats unfortunately.

The money will just be going towards the expensive medication and vet bills for Betty and any little bit helps.

She's improving day by day and we are hopeful, but as the FIP drug is still new to Canada it is very pricey along side the additional treatments, medications, vet visits and travel back and forth from the hospital (4 hour round trip).

Alternatively, if you can't financially support please share this with your friends and family or on socials. Send Betty healing thoughts and support or if your a Vancouverisland local and are needing makeup, hair or photography services please connect as that will also help towards her treatment and recovery.

www.candicedeanna.com