Why is my cat not eating, drinking a lot, and possibly has FIP?

I understand you are concerned about FIP. The reality is, if you don't have money for a veterinary visit (and in many cases even if you did), FIP is typically fatal and untreatable. The best thing you can do is separate your sick cat from your healthy one and see how things transpire over the course of the next few days. Typically, cats with FIP, regardless of the form, will be inappetant and not wanting to eat anything at all. The worst form of it will cause massive fluid buiid up in the chest / abdomen and result in difficulty breathing. The other form typically produce clinical signs that are both ophthalmic and/or neurologic, plus several other non specific clinical signs (a couple of which include what you are descrbing). Overall, FIP would not be near the top of my list. I would definitely make sure all three cats have been tested for leukemia and AIDS however in order to rule both of these life-threatening conditions. While not as rapidly fatal as FIP, both conditions can carry poor long term prognosis. It sounds like the one cat with a fever and swollen belly might benefit from pain management and a recheck for the presence of worms. While dietary indiscretion could be an issue, it is not likely to cause a fever unless an infectious organism was present in the food. Hope this is more helpful than my previous response.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the X-rays, I can see that Mara's abdomen appears to be filled with fluid. It is obscuring his liver and intestines from being seen and there may even be a small amount in his lungs. Unfortunately it is impossible to tell what the fluid is from the x-ray alone. His blood work shows some abnormalities with his electrolytes, which may be if he is not eating or from fluid in the abdomen. Mara also has a high white blood cell count, these are the cells that are responsible for fighting off infections and increase if there is one present. Your vet can run some additional diagnostics, and perform a tap and remove the fluid as well as a blood test to determine if Mara is infected with FIP, a mutated form of a common virus that cats are exposed to. I hope this helps!

I am so sorry Shada is so sick! Because she had the fluid drained from her belly, she will be feeling better having that pressure off, and that's why she is eating, drinking, and using the litter box normally. Unfortunately, FIP is fatal, and the fluid will build up again eventually leading to the same problems. Due to the fact that FIP is fatal, letting her go with humane euthanasia is the best option, especially if she is experiencing fluid accumulation. You can, if you'd like, put off the appointment for a few days to enjoy some last quality time with her before the fluid builds up again, but it's certainly ok to say goodbye to her tomorrow. Again, I'm so sorry she is so sick!

These are all very concerning signs but not necessarily diagnostic of fip, they are common to many fevers, infections and severe injury. Please have gus assessed urgently by your vet to stabilise his breathing and determine the underlying cause

Fluids in the abdomen can be caused by a lot of things and it usually makes the xray non diagnostical, at this age FIP can be one of the causes but it could also be a severe gastrointestinal infection or a liver problem. The next stage will be a specialist ultrasound, fluids might need to be drained first.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Unfortunately, FIP is a largely incurable disease that is very very severe. If he is vomiting, not eating, and unwell, then he likely is feeling very sick and euthanasia might be the best option for him. It is hard to get an official diagnosis of FIP as it can only really be confirmed post-mortem, however you can always have a consultation with a specialist to make sure there isn't anything else going on that can be fixed, but it sounds like your vet has already done a lot of this testing. The testing rules out other things that can be treated. I suggest talking with your vet about any other possible causes that might be curable, and if you want you can ask for a referral to a specialist, however if this ultimately is FIP then euthanasia should be considered. I am so sorry about your little Leo.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Cheeteo! Can you post the blood work results and X-rays? Based on your post Cheeto has fluid around his lungs and in his belly. This is a serious, sadly. The most common causes for bicavitary effusion (fluid in BOTH the chest and belly) are cancer, heart failure, and FIP. Heart failure can be managed, FIP sadly has no cure and cancer is not a good diagnosis either. I am guessing that Cheeto didn't respond (didn't get better) on the lasix? The lasix is for heart failure. That only leaves the other diagnoses which are all not good. Unfortunately for a diganosis tests need to be done. If you don't understand what is wrong with Cheeto and why your Vet is recommending certain tests you need to ask them to explain things better so you can make the best decision for you and Cheeto. I hope this helps and I wish you both the best!