Team Tulsi

Tulsi was 5 months when I adopted her as a rescue on the streets of Vallejo, CA. She’s both a tender hearted soul as well as a tough survivor at 9 years old. Before this event she has never been sick.

On Sept 12th I took Tulsi in for emergency care because her breathing was labored and getting worse. I learned the condition is called pleural effusion where fluid accumulates in the chest cavity, not lungs, causing pressure on the lungs making it hard to breath. The vet told me that it could be one of 3 things, none of them good. Her best guess is that its Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) a kitty covid virus considered fatal. The bloodwork was unremarkable so she didn't think it was cancer, the other possibility was a congestive heart condition! She gave me a course of steroids and sent us home.

It took over a week to get labs back and PCR indicated it was not FIP. The vet didn't believe it was a heart condition and cancer was still on the table. Over time the fluid came back and Tulsi again had restricted breathing.

Still eating, pooping and sleeping… occasionally even having a fit of play. Based on this behavior, I was hopeful that whatever it is we can get through this. While doing exhaustive research on FIP I ran into a group of volunteers online who call themselves FIP Warriors, it's a loose knit group advise, educate and assist people who have FIP infected cats ... with the goal to help cure them of the virus.

Through my communication with FIP Warriors and a vet on the team, I learned that these tests were not conclusive indicators as it’s very difficult to get an accurate diagnose for FIP. They filled me in on the use of antiviral medicine GS-441524, developed in UC Davis labs has been administered in private trials for the past 5 years with an 80% success rate. The treatment means daily subcutaneous injections for 12 weeks. At first I was completely turned off by this idea as it seemed like kitty torture, didn’t want to put Tulsi through that. It's a question of quality of life and I'm more inclined to put an animal down rather than make them suffer!

The vet said that if I want to investigate further it would require an ultrasound at the cost of $665 and treatments would quickly move into thousands of dollars. I had to weigh the options; 1) give her a 7 day trial of the GS treatment costing less than $200 where her response would indicate whether it was FIP or not. This will also require monthly blood tests and working with my vet to monitor her progress. Or 2) ultrasound rabbit hole which I am not be inclined to do, so would mean saying goodbye to Tulsi.

Right after I ordered the GS medication her health turned for the worst. The pleural effusion came back and her breathing even more labored. I took her to have another treatment to tap her chest but even under sedation she became too much for the vet to treat, even with 2 assistants! There's a danger of piercing the heart and putting her under general anesthesia could cause her death. I was sent home with the hopes that this GS treatment will pull her through.

It takes about a week to begin to see if the medicine is working, if so, the inflammation will go down and breathing become normal, and will continue on the 11 week course.

Needless to say this is all costing a lot, even with deep pockets I may not spend thousands to keep her alive, as I don’t believe in putting a pet through endless tests and torturous treatments for the rest of their days!

When I ask Tulsi, when I look at her life force, and fighting spirit I believe she wants to live… of course it will be difficult but this option offers her a longer life if it works. Cats who have successfully been treated with GS have gone on to live 5 more years… possibly longer!

I ask for financial assistance as well as your prayers. 🙏

While Tulsi and I have been going through this very intense time I was in the midst of preparing for a 2 day art fair in Santa Fe. Needless to say, it has been a very stressful time.

I invite anyone who would rather purchase my art than donate, I have posted my new work in my store... (Look for the addition of more greeting cards and reproductions in the next week.)

https://www.katehenkeart.com/shop.

Here's a little video if you'd like to see the art display shown in Santa Fe on September 23 & 24.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxlmVX9SfYw/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Tulsi and I thank you deeply for your caring and support.

♥️ 🐾 😻