Help Support Messi’s FIP Treatment

I brought Messi home in early July. At 2 months old, he was playful, curious, and a huge cuddle bug — the perfect kitten.

About a month ago, I noticed him walking strangely. I brought him to the vet and they sent me to a neurologist. Messi tested negative for most of the main “scary” things, such as FeLV, FIV, FCV, and Toxoplasmosis. After these tests, the doctors determined it was cerebral hypoplasia — only confirmable via MRI which they quoted at $7,000. I obviously couldn’t pay that and opted to trust that diagnosis.

Despite this, I felt I noticed his condition getting worse. His walk got noticeably more wobbly, he struggled with balance, he had tremors, and struggled to jump on my bed or climb into his litter box. I brought it up to the vet a few more times and was assured that it could just appear to get worse as he gets older. I tried so hard to trust this, but something didn’t feel right, which was confirmed on 9/23/24 when Messi had what I believed to be a seizure. I took him to the vet and they did bloodwork and more tests. Here, they finally suspected that Messi had FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis). FIP is a mutation of the feline coronavirus that can slowly paralyze the affected kitty.

Previously, FIP was known to be a death sentence. But now, there is a treatment available that requires injections over the course of 84 days. I started these injections on 9/24/24, but the cost will soon start to add up. As a full-time graduate student, I’m stressed about the cost and care required to treat Messi for this disease, but with a curable treatment in sight, I want to do what I can for him.

I know this is a lot to ask, but I’d appreciate the help in any way you are willing to offer it. It would mean so much to me and my little Mr. Handsome.