31/07/2026
This is a long post but could potentially save your cat or your kitten's life.
I have been keeping a Secret for the past two months. But now it is time to share it. I was not going to share it but I was encouraged to do so, so here we go.
Two months ago I adopted Morris, an 8 week old kitten from Kitty Kazz Kitten Rescue. He had been found inside the engine of an MG vehicle. I was not going to make him “public” until this ordeal we are going through currently was over – but it seems that may take quite some time, if he survives!
Morris was incredibly fearful and skittish and spent the first few weeks hiding under the couch pillow. Slowly his courage grew and he turned into such a sweet playful kitten. Then some health challenges started and a few Vet visits later and a few details that need their own post, our little Morris was normal again. Then came Vaccination time, take note I had put Nexguard on him a few days before the Vaccination visit. Unfortunately he got a deworm that day too (so a double de-worm in just a few days). Then a few days later he romped and played so crazy that the following day he was “flat battery”. But actually, he was'nt...
He stopped eating, stopped playing, just moping around. So off to the Vet. Morris had a very high fever at that stage. The Vet did tests, gave injections, one for the fever, appetite stimulants etc and asked we come back the following day for a fever check. Overnight Morris developed diarrhoea and his abdomen began to bloat. His appetite was still non-existent (all this time I was using a Feeder Syringe to feed Morris). At that Vet visit the fever check revealed an even worse fever. So now more tests, more injections and told to return the next day. I have never spent so many days or so many hours at a Vet clinic before. And no clear Diagnosis either. So the following day Morris ate a tiny bit of food by himself, but I still had to feed him almost hourly. His fever had broken, his diarrhoea unchanged, his bloated tummy a bit more bloated. The Vet said that there would be more runny stool and it should work itself out........
But that is not what happened.
Morris went downhill from there, no appetite – I was feeding him hourly, he lost weight so badly, the runny stool and bloat still there. Here this little helpless creature meowing at me to help him and I just could'nt. Eventually I could not stand looking at him suffering and deteriorating and took him back to the Vet again. Finally, at my request, the Vet took xrays and sure enough, his abdomen was filled with fluid. The diagnosis Wet FIP (Feline infectious peritonitis). I called Karen from Kitty Kazz and she immediately helped me get an appointment with Silverfields Veterinarian Clinic as they can treat FIP, my own Vet does not. I just want to mention that once bloating appeared Morris should have immediately been xrayed. He would then have been diagnosed earlier and then treatment could have begun earlier. Now, because so much time has passed since the first signs of this illness I hope that I am not too late, that treatment is not too late. Please note that the treatment is very affordable, I would happily have paid twice the amount I was charged if that was the case, so yes, it is very affordable. Do not let any Vet tell you that it will cost eg R10-20 000. That is absurd.
We are currently 4 days into treatment, I am still feeding Morris hourly but do offer him some food which sometimes he will eat and sometimes not. But his stool is a bit firmer since yesterday. He has not yet gained any weight and when he mopes about I take him with me outside so he can explore our veggie garden which he enjoys and get fresh air, sunshine and walk on soil.
My message to you is that if your cat or kitten goes off food, bloats, gets runny stool, gets a fever please have the Vet xray their abdomen after ruling out everything else. Ask them to check for FIP. I know there are several different types of FIP, Morris has the wet type. You can easily find out more by googling it.
Also, if your kitty is not eating then please start using a feeding syringe to get high calorie food and hydration into them. Do not rely on the kitty to eat properly, even if they nibble at given food. They will not eat enough to sustain themselves. I attach photos of Morris, including xrays and his bloated tummy for your reference.
Silverfield's Vet Kitty Kazz
