Hello!

The sweet baby you see above is my newly adopted, just-barely-5-month-old kitten, Turkey.

Since being adopted on Thursday, September 18th from a reputable local rescue, Turkey has unfortunately started showing symptoms commonly associated with Wet FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), which have now progressed to suspected Neurological FIP.

FIP is a genetic mutation of the common feline coronavirus, which is usually harmless, but can become fatal within days if not treated. Symptoms of Wet FIP include fluid buildup in the abdomen or around the heart and lungs, internal inflammation, loss of appetite, lethargy, and more. In neurological cases, symptoms are even more severe and may include vertigo, loss of facial reflexes, and other heartbreaking neurological issues.

Until very recently, even just this past year, FIP was considered untreatable, with euthanasia being the only option upon diagnosis. That’s exactly what I was told on Monday. But after doing my own research, I discovered that with antiviral treatment, 80 to 90 percent of cats can fully recover within just 84 days of starting treatment. Even more amazing, many start feeling better just 24 to 48 hours after the first dose. Once recovered, FIP has no lasting impact on a cat’s quality of life.

Turkey was first suspected to be fighting FIP only a few days ago, and he’s been in critical condition for the last 24 hours. He is currently unresponsive, with some facial reflexes gone and fluctuating blood pressure. He’s being kept stable at a wonderful local hospital with fluids and 24/7 monitoring, but in this state he could realistically pass away at any moment. To give him a real fighting chance, we need to continue the antiviral injections, a treatment that has just recently been legalized in Canada.

Very few vets have access to this drug, as it’s still under Canada’s Emergency Drug Release Program, for reasons I can’t begin to understand. Many general vets still consider FIP “untreatable” because that’s still what they are taught in school. That means they are unequipped and unfamiliar with these life-saving treatments.

Thankfully, last night I was able to connect with a local volunteer from a global FIP advocate group who helped me acquire and administer Turkey’s first injectable dose. These volunteers have saved hundreds of cats just like him. Turkey is now stable, in critical care, with a medical team that is listening, learning, and working with me to keep him on this treatment and give him a chance at survival.

Unfortunately, as we all know, emergency vet care is incredibly expensive. The first two clinics I went to did help me keep Turkey stable, but essentially turned me away, unprepared, unwilling to try, and unaware of how to handle FIP. I even had to supply them with educational resources. One clinic had the medication Turkey needed right there, but refused to administer it without a definitive diagnosis, which takes time we simply don’t have. Because of this delay, it may already be too late for Turkey to respond to the medication, which breaks my heart. He deserved a real shot from the very beginning.

It makes me angry, and it should make you angry too.

Why is it up to pet owners to educate medical professionals?

Why did I have to become the expert?

Why are these cats still dying when we now have a cure?

This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but I refuse to give up. Not just for Turkey, but for every other cat diagnosed with FIP, and every pet parent who’s been misled or dismissed by professionals they trusted. We need more awareness. We need better education. We need accountability. This disease should never have to reach critical care. If I had been given access to the medication right away, Turkey might have never needed hospitalization at all.

Euthanasia should NEVER be the only option.

So, I’m asking for your help,

Help Turkey fight for his life.

Help me spread awareness.

Help us prove that FIP is no longer a death sentence.

All donations will go directly toward Turkey’s medical care, currently totaling around $6,500. Any additional funds will be donated to non-profit FIP advocacy organizations that are doing the work most vets still aren’t.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story, and for caring about Turkey and this cause that means so much to me. Every share, every dollar, every kind word matters.

With gratitude,

Polina