Sick Cat - Covering my Bases

Question
QUESTION: Hi.  I am writing regarding my 3 year old maine coon mix.  He's been a relatively healthy cat since we got him at 3 months of age - just a respiratory infection once and roundworms once after catching and eating a mouse in our kitchen.  
Today, we found him after church in our laundry room.  He was hot, lethargic, drooling, and sounded "wheezy."  We called our vet, who met us at the clinic right away.  She gave him fluids and a shot of antibiotics, and has scheduled a follow up for tomorrow afternoon.  She has suggested three possibilities:  one, just a regular old URI.  Two, a blood infection from a bite (he and our other cat do play pretty rough, but we haven't noticed any bites or sore spots).  Three, FIP.  His temperature at the vet was 105.9.

What I'm wondering is if anything other than a standard URI, infection from a bite (from a FIV/Fel. Lukemia negative companion cat), or FIP comes to mind as a possibility?  I'm not asking for a diagnosis - just anything you think should be checked for and/or ruled out?

Symptoms:  fever of 105.9.  Lethargic.  "wheezy" sound to breathing.  squinty eyes.  Tongue protruding.  Drooling.  

I've got him laying on our tile floor in the kitchen (to stay cool), with some water and canned food in case he starts feeling better.  I've been laying with him.

ANSWER: Henna -

The symptoms you describe can be used to describe several diseases.  Since I have not examined your cat, it is impossible to give you a diagnosis or even suggestions.  You have done the right thing by consulting with your veterinarian  - just listen to her advice and I am sure that she will be able to help your pet.

I am interested to find out what was troubling your kitty - please keep me informed on his progress.



Best Regards,


Charlotte Sherrell, DVM

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The current thought is blood poisoning.  He responded rapidly to the antibiotics.  He's currently on Baytril and will be for the next 9 days.  

However, the vet is still concerned about the possibility of FIP.  She told me to call or come back in if he seems to be going downhill, and said that if it was indeed FIP we could expect him to start declining again within the month.  Any suggestions as to what, specifically, to watch for if it were FIP?  I've read about it, and know what the last stages look like, but have no idea what early signs are.  My concern stems mostly from the fact that this year, we've had 6 fosters pass through our home.  All were FIV and feline leukemia negative, so that's not a concern as he is indoors only.

Answer
Since there are still few definitive diagnoses for FIP, it will be difficult to know whether or not your car will have developed it besides just going by the symptoms.  Keep in touch with your veterinarian, I am sure that she can keep you abreast of things to watch out for.


I try not to interfer with the relationship between the doctor and the owner which is why I will not list symptoms for a disease such as FIP.  Talk with your veterinarian and she can let you know what to look  for.  Good luck.

Best Regards,


Charlotte Sherrell, DVM