Max moves on

Max passed on yesterday morning. He showed signs of what appeared to be neurological involvement and rapidly declined. We held him as he died. I believe he had the very best life possible, all things considered. Without a necropsy we'll never know for sure FIP was his primary disease, but it is highly likely. We very much miss him. Please visit the links to the left to learn more about FIP.

Rooting for Max

Below you'll see a nice picture of Max playing. Unfortunately Max doesn't have enough energy to play lately. He still very much enjoys eating and will run to enjoy a nice meal though and I feel his quality of life is still good. He very much enjoys laying on his heating pad and laying in front of his heat lamp. Sister Lo continues to be symptom free and normal in temperature!

Anemia

Unfortunately, Max is profoundly anemic (nonregenerative), see recent test below.
Max's appetite continues to be very good although he is certainly not gaining weight.
Max and Lo seem to be able to tolerate Hill's Z/D dry and Iams lamb and rice wet, both mixed with some organic pumpkin. They also have dry Hill's W/D and Z/D dry, ad libitum (i.e. a bowl full at all times).
Stools for both cats are mostly firm to partially firm.
The vet tech thought that Lo was Max's mother yesterday. Poor little guy. On the positive side, Max's quality of life continues to seem good. He responds energetically at feeding time and purrs when receiving petting. Also good news, Lo remains symptom free and her temperature is normal. I have a rectal thermometer now! I've not had good luck with the ear thermometer.
Max 2lb6oz
Lo 5lb

Max's Latest Blood Work (click on the image to enlarge)

Max 2lb6oz
Lo 4lb14.5oz
Trying some Hill's Z/D today.
Purchased a rectal thermometer.

Questions to ask veterinarian

Questions to ask veterinarian
I will take Max in soon for another general blood test.
Questions:
How can we tell if his anemia is regenerative or non-regenerative?
How do we know what the status of his mesenteric lymph nodes are?
Comment to self:
Buy a pet appropriate rectal thermometer.
Max 2lb6oz
Lo 4lb13oz

Mixed news

Max just passed a firm stool: good news!
It was in my study: bad news.
Oh well, I'll take it. His bouts of diarrhea leave him with some stool placement problems I suppose.
Need: cat rectal thermometer and low fat hypoallergenic cat treats.

Hopefully on track

Max weighed 2lb7oz today, but no vomiting and firmer diarrhea.
Lo weighed 4lb12oz today and solid stools!
Both kittens lost a couple of ozs, but hopefully Lo is leading the path back to solid stools and some weight gain.

One step forward and two steps back.

Max weights 2lb9oz today. Lo had an excellent solid poop this morning and I awarded her poop of the wek. Unfortunaltey, after eating organic pumpkin and some Hill's kitten formula dry yesterday and this morning, Max and Lo have developed diarrhea this afternoon. Max had very minor vomiting today as well. This could be coincidental, but I am returning their diet to Hill's wet W/D again. When their stools are stabilized I will try organic pumpkin and a different kitten food. Both cats have good appetites as usual. Note: Haemobartonella (-osis) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease have recently been suggested. Lo seems to be running a fever this evening. My instant ear thermometer is not reliable so I'll need to get a rectal thermometer.

Max: weight and food diary

Max weighed 2lb9oz yesterday and 2lb11oz today. He is currently eating well. His diet is comprised of Hill's W/D wet and dry (ad libitum) with some added organic pumpkin and plenty of water. The goal is to begin adding a high calorie kitten food slowly enough he does not experience vomiting and diarrhea.

The Max and Lo Story

Please find images of the kittens at the bottom of this page.
All images may be clicked to center and enlarge.
These kittens reside together isolated from other cat populations.

• Lo
• Early high titer (see below)
  
• Recent normal blood work (see below)
  
• Weight normal (see images below)
  
• Appetite normal
• Stool firm
• No neurological signs, cat behaviorally "bright"
• No clinical symptoms
• Max
• Early high titer (see below)
  
• Recent high titer (see below)
  
• Early abnormal blood work (see below)
• Ultrasound revealed no effusions
• enlarged liver
• thickened intestinal walls
  
• Weight low (very low muscle mass/fat; see images below)
• Early rough fur, now soft (grooms normally)
  
• Appetite voracious
• Stool firm
• No ocular signs
• No overt neurological signs, however, appears behaviorally "dull"
• Significant lethargy
  

Lo's Early Titer and Recent Bloodwork

Lo's Early Titer and Recent Blood Work

Max's First and Second Titer

Max's First and Second Titer

Max's Ultrasound

Max's Ultrasound
You may click on the images to enlarge and see the entire image.

Max's First General Blood Test

Max's First General Blood Test
You can click on the images to enlarge them.

Introducing Lo

Max shows his skinny legs

Here's a pic where you may be able to see how skinny Max's legs are.

Lo plays and Max watches

Lo plays and Max usually watches. Max loves to eat and gets very excited at mealtime. Otherwise, he relaxes.

Max and Lo

Here we see Max looking out the window and Lo checking out a reflection on the wall. It's difficult to appreciate from the picture, but Max is very skinny and Lo has grown normally.

Introducing Max

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