Saving Peanut… battling FIP

This is Peanut… he is a special kitten. Last summer he came to me as a newborn, umbilical cord still attached and with a hoarse voice from all the hours he had been crying for his mum. For some reason she never returned back for him and his siblings were not found. I bottle-fed him for the first 5 weeks of his life.

Peanut slowly, slowly grew and became very attached to humans. Every time I leave the house he expects to come out with me and runs towards his backpack carrier. He often comes to work with me where he puts big smiles on everyone’s faces especially the students who gladly shower him with attention and bring him little treats to bribe him into being his favourite…and he always indulges.

Until one morning when Peanut did not come running for breakfast as he usually does. He was in his igloo…stiff and immobile, dilated pupils and all. I rushed him to emergency where a blood test was taken. That day, as if sensing that something was wrong, students asked my why Peanut was not with me and if he was ok. I didn’t mention anything and was still hoping for the best. The next day results were out and it was determined that he had dry, neurological FIP since his albumen : globulin counts were off and various other symptoms. Hearing the word FIP is one of the scariest things for every cat owner. Peanut was dying!

There were only 2 alternatives…putting him to sleep there and then or fight on. We decided to try and fight it. Peanut stopped eating, drinking, moving and cried in pain when I touch him. We started treatment straightaway. It is a long, painful treatment. Those who have had a cat with FIP and tried to save him know what I mean. He is here lying on a warm comfortable fluffy cat bed, silent and immobile but there is life in his eyes… I offer his favourite food every few hours…so far he shows no interest so I am force-feeding him and giving liquids. Various friends and colleagues asked me how to contribute to Peanut’s treatment… so I set this up! If just in case there will be extra funds collected they will be used to help other FIP cats receiving treatment.

Here is a video showing snapshots of Peanut's life so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1g2Rn_fe_o

Come on Peanut! Hang in there! Myself and many others are eagerly waiting for your recovery!

Written on February 15, 2023