Help Tuna beat FIP!
Donation protected
Hello everyone. As most of you know, this past year Kenny and I adopted two adorable Siamese kittens, Tuna and Nori. These babies have quickly worked their way into our home and hearts. We would do anything for our fur babies, and I'm sure many of you could say the same.
For the past two months, Tuna has been declining in health. What started as an upper respiratory infection quickly turned into something more serious: FIP (Feline infectious peritonitis). FIP is considered a rare fatal disease that stems from a common disease called Feline Coronavirus. 95% of cats have the coronavirus and are usually fine. However, sometimes, with a weakened immune system, FIP can develop.
There are two types of FIP, wet and dry. Wet FIP is when the cat has fluid built up in their abdomen, which can be drained, but will ultimately build back up. Dry FIP is internal, and usually affects the cat's neurological system. In both cases, it is fatal. In Tuna's case, he has dry FIP. It is affecting his legs and his behavior. Over the course of one week, Tuna went from being perfectly healthy to losing the ability to walk. He was also quickly losing weight, despite eating like normal.
Heartbroken, Kenny and I had accepted that this was his fate and that we had to end the suffering for our sweet boy. Through my research on FIP, I stumbled across a study at UC Davis that treated cats with FIP. The research was no longer being conducted, however, the medicine used to treat cats with FIP was still available. The problem is that the medicine is not yet FDA approved, so it cannot be administered by a vet and it is very expensive.
After debating what to do, we decided that it would pain us to not at least try to help Tuna. He wants to live. He is still eating, playing, and purring even though his legs are giving out on him. He deserves a chance. On Halloween, Kenny and I drove to Philadelphia to get the medicine for our boy. We have already started treatment and while it is still early days, we are already noticing a slight improvement!
The biggest challenge we can see going forward is that the medicine is incredibly expensive. Each dosage is going to cost us around $35-40. We have to give him the medicine once a day for 84 days. Once he starts gaining weight, we will have to up his dosage to compensate, which will in turn up the price. We also have to take him in for monthly bloodwork/check ups, and buy materials such as needles, syringes, and more. It is expensive, but I don't see any other option.
If there is any way that you can help, it would mean the world to us. I am not the person to ask for help, but at this point it's not about me anymore. It's about helping Tuna get better. If you can't help financially, please help by sharing.
Much love,
Cassie, Kenny, Tuna, and Nori
For the past two months, Tuna has been declining in health. What started as an upper respiratory infection quickly turned into something more serious: FIP (Feline infectious peritonitis). FIP is considered a rare fatal disease that stems from a common disease called Feline Coronavirus. 95% of cats have the coronavirus and are usually fine. However, sometimes, with a weakened immune system, FIP can develop.
There are two types of FIP, wet and dry. Wet FIP is when the cat has fluid built up in their abdomen, which can be drained, but will ultimately build back up. Dry FIP is internal, and usually affects the cat's neurological system. In both cases, it is fatal. In Tuna's case, he has dry FIP. It is affecting his legs and his behavior. Over the course of one week, Tuna went from being perfectly healthy to losing the ability to walk. He was also quickly losing weight, despite eating like normal.
Heartbroken, Kenny and I had accepted that this was his fate and that we had to end the suffering for our sweet boy. Through my research on FIP, I stumbled across a study at UC Davis that treated cats with FIP. The research was no longer being conducted, however, the medicine used to treat cats with FIP was still available. The problem is that the medicine is not yet FDA approved, so it cannot be administered by a vet and it is very expensive.
After debating what to do, we decided that it would pain us to not at least try to help Tuna. He wants to live. He is still eating, playing, and purring even though his legs are giving out on him. He deserves a chance. On Halloween, Kenny and I drove to Philadelphia to get the medicine for our boy. We have already started treatment and while it is still early days, we are already noticing a slight improvement!
The biggest challenge we can see going forward is that the medicine is incredibly expensive. Each dosage is going to cost us around $35-40. We have to give him the medicine once a day for 84 days. Once he starts gaining weight, we will have to up his dosage to compensate, which will in turn up the price. We also have to take him in for monthly bloodwork/check ups, and buy materials such as needles, syringes, and more. It is expensive, but I don't see any other option.
If there is any way that you can help, it would mean the world to us. I am not the person to ask for help, but at this point it's not about me anymore. It's about helping Tuna get better. If you can't help financially, please help by sharing.
Much love,
Cassie, Kenny, Tuna, and Nori
Organizer
Cassie Lee
Organizer
Baltimore, MD
