Nautical’s Journey fighting FIP

My name is Nautical. My Mom is trying so hard  to help me!

In March of 2020 I stopped eating my normal amount of food. Mom was worried as I have always been, what did she call me? Oh yeah!  A little piggy!  We went to the vet and she felt a mass in my abdomen. She told Mom to take me to a Specialist.  

I really hate car rides and the specialist was an hour and a half away. I was sure to voice my opinion the entire time!  An ultrasound and two needle aspirations were done.  The results were inconclusive. The vet wanted to remove the mass thinking it was cancer.  FIP was a differential, but my bloodwork didn’t have all the typical markers. My Mom almost died when the estimate was $7-$8k!  She struggled with the decision. She mentioned something about she could buy a car with that. In the meantime, I was sleeping all the time and only picking at food.

After a few days and many questions later, she decided to get a second opinion.  Second vet came up with the same conclusion but was half the cost. My Mom chose to do the surgery in hopes to remove the mass and I would be well again. And that would be the end of my troubles.  

It was only the beginning. I underwent surgery and was able to go home after two nights in the hospital. I was scared!  I’ve never been away from home since Mom brought me home.  Pathology reviewed the mass and lymph node and it wasn’t cancer.    It was likely FIP!

My Mom was devastated. She cried. She didn’tknow much about it other than it was a death sentence. She held me and said she would have never put me through surgery if any of the vets thought it was FIP.  It just wasn’t fair.

When the vet called my Mom and said the final test confirmed FIP, he mentioned the Facebook group FIP Warriors. 

My Mom did a lot of research in a few days.  She mumbled something about coffee, but I know she doesn’t drink it!  She wanted to know everything about FIP and what she could do to help me!

Even though the treatment is very expensive, more than my surgery, my Mom couldn’t just watch me die. I was already turning into skin and bones. One day she kissed me goodbye before work and I could see the tears in her eyes. Later that night I heard her say she didn’t think I would be alive when she got home.  She drove almost two hours that night to pick up the first vial of GS to start treatment.  

My Mom could use a little help. She is still paying my surgery off and has started treatment. It’s been three weeks and I feel so much better!  I’ve gained a pound. I have the spark in my eye back. I play again!  We have a ways to go (9 more weeks), so if you can spare a couple of bucks or even share this Gofundme, I would greatly appreciate it!!

Mom is grateful for everyone’s love and support and prayers!  This has been hard on her emotionally but I know I’m her favorite kid (wink)!!!  I know she is fighting FIP right beside me and win or lose, we’ve made people more aware that there istreatment.  If we help one kitty win the fight, it will all be worth it, she said.  

Please follow me on Facebook @Nautical’s Journey. She gives daily updates, photos and videos.