Looking out for Poe

Poe didn't come to breakfast this morning, and we found that he barfed in various places. As you might expect, this triggered alarms for us because we know he probably has FIP, the same thing that killed Finn in March. Fortunately we were able to get him into the vet this morning.

He had a minor fever, but the X-ray showed no fluid in his lungs, no ingestion of foreign objects, and his blood work was clean. The doctor said it could be some kind of low-grade viral or bacterial infection, and gave him a broad-spectrum antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory drug. Basically, he felt that there was nothing to indicate he was in a downward spiral like Finn. He's not lethargic either, and generally responsive to stimuli.

Hopefully it is just something he has to sleep off. He was nutty just yesterday, whereas Finn slowed down and was hiding for a few days. The foster kittens seem to keep checking on him, which is adorable.

The good news is that you can treat FIP with a drug called GS-441524, and remdesivir, which you may know as the COVID-19 drug. Nine months ago, this was just becoming an option, and it was hard to find. Finn was too far along anyway, apparently, so that's why we have to be on top of it for Poe. The efficacy of these new treatments is pretty high, and pretty expensive, but whatever it takes for our furball. It's just important that we watch him closely.