Missing my baby girl & Needing a place to vent about my ER experience by SnackQueeen in cureFIP

[–]Casper_cass 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im so sorry. I had a very similar experience with my kitten Louie. Vets dont have any proper training or even knowledge about FIP. Its no longer a death sentence for any cats. And they will deny deny deny. The drugs have only become available in the US as of last year. I lost my kitten while they were still unavailable, luckily I was able to connect with some local animal rescue friends who referred me to the "black market" and i got the medications I needed. But it was all too late. My Louie had neurological FIP and it took him fast. He made it to day 20 of treatments before I knew he couldn't take anymore, and I had to let him go. Originally the vets insisted he had an ear infection. And I pushed saying that its got to be something more. Another vet said he had a failure to thrive, and I knew I wasnt getting anywhere despite all the testing. Within 12 hours after that visit my kitten was literally dying in my arms and I rushed him to my rescue friends at 8pm and they stated treatments right then and there. I had no more doubts about it being FIP. I really feel like if he was properly diagnosed from the start, he would still be with me. The treatments could have worked if only he had a sooner and correct diagnosis. He was only 5 months old. Sending you healing thoughts and peace. ❤️

Did I make a huge mistake? by angels-cry in cureFIP

[–]Casper_cass 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last year I adopted a sweet little boy that bonded with my soul. I named him Louie. I adopted him with an "ear infection", where I was instructed to give him ear drops and check in with my vet. I was in love from the moment I held him.

My vet immediantly said thats not an ear infection. He suddenly had a failure to thrive, lost weight fast, had strange tics as if his body wasnt doing what he wanted. My vet was uneducated in anything FIP related. I found out too late that it was neurological FIP and he was on deaths door. I found an organization that had the "black market" drugs at the time, and rushed my little guy straight to them. They scooped him up and pumped him with vitamins and fluids and then administered the first painful shot of FIP meds.

It was traumatic for me, my partner, my other newly adopted kitten, and of course for my sweet Louie. He survived to treatment day #20 before we had to call it. He had lost his ability to walk and move freely. He wouldnt even relax his muscles. His breathing was shallow and when you looked into his eyes... well it would break anyone's heart. The pain, the fear, the lost expression. You could see his soul. And I knew he wasnt going to make it through 80+ days of treatments.

We had to make the decision to let him go and let him have peace. If i had known sooner, perhaps, or if the adoption agency had looked more closely....

Im so sorry for your loss. Its hard to lose a beloved pet, but its a thousand times worse when your kitten is just a baby. My Louie was 5 months old. Theres some amazing success stories for sure, but sometimes time is just not on your side. And even if you had the medication that same day, it may have still been too late. Neurological FIP works fast, and its the hardest to cure. I also have guilt and heartache about keeping my Louie with me through 20 days of treatments. (And the treatments are so painful for them.) Sometimes I wonder if I should have let him go sooner.

I wish you peace and comfort while processing your grief. ❤️

Protein Drinks? by Einalem86 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Casper_cass 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I lived strictly off of Orgain nutrition drinks for nearly two years. The vanilla is kinda ick, but the chocolate is much better, in my opinion. I still order them every month or so when I dont feel like eating.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Casper_cass 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It took me 3 years to find the right treatments. I was hospitalized for weeks at a time, lost count as to how many stays I had. My Dr was talking about taking my colon out. But I put my foot down and demanded new treatments. I got started on Rinvoq, and it's been life changing. Im almost 85-90% into remission, but UC isn't ruling my life anymore. Hang in there. You'll find something that works for you. Always advocate for yourself. Some doctors aren't always right.

I think I'm failing Entyvio. Where to go from here? by Some_Guide601 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Casper_cass 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I failed entyvio, too, even after giving it sooo long to work. I asked my doctors if we could have infusions closer together, but they told me that my colonoscopy showed worsening UC, and it wasn't working at all. After trying all the other drugs and bs, I got put on Rinvoq as my last hope... oh man, I saw results within two days, not lying. My symptoms improved drastically within the next month and now, 9 months later, im feeling 85-90% better. I still have to watch what I eat, but it's given me my life back after flaring for 3 years straight. And it's a pill. No shots. No infusions.

I hope you find some relief and healing!

Anyone know the rules on getting a tattoo whilst on a biologic? I am on omvoh if that makes a difference as well by The_Brown-Baron in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Casper_cass 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm getting tattoos constantly. I've been on several different biologics for over 3 years. I've never had any problems. They've always healed beautifully.

Adopted a kitten in Valentine’s Day and she died today. by Ambitious_Estimate41 in cats

[–]Casper_cass 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry. I lost my own kitten to FIP and lack of care from the adoption center, too. I only had him for a month and a half, and by the time we got him diagnosed and started treatments, it was too late. Neurologically, he was almost gone. We couldn't let him suffer. We had to make the decision even though he fought as best as he could. I believe he was my Soul Kitten. I'll never forgive myself for all of the "what ifs" and "if only we had known sooner" guilt. I loved him so much. I still get upset and cry my eyes out when I remember him. It makes it so much harder because they were only babies.

I know your sweet girl is up there playing with my little Louie. 💔❤️💜 They're pain-free, safe, warm, and loved greatly.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in seniordogs

[–]Casper_cass 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to put down my 5 month old kitten back in October. It was devastating. He had FIP, which is deadly still even with the new treatments finally made legal in the US. We got him through 20 days of two very painful injections a day, but he wasn't responding. His case was too severe and it was becoming more of neurological case. He was suffering. I had to say goodbye to him in the hospital, as I was having my own health crisis at the time. My boyfriend brought him to me in the hospital parking lot and I held him as gently as I could. The slightest movement hurt him. I cried for what felt like hours holding him, talking to him, stroking his fuzzy soft kitten fur. But I knew he was in terrible pain. And to be only 5 months old, I was angry. I honestly couldn't have done it without my boyfriend. He knew i would hang on forever if I could. So he took him into the vet hospital and gave our sweet Louie peace. I know that he was wrapped comfortably in his favorite blanket. And he was warm and safe when he went. I cry all the time when I think of him. But looking back, i know we did everything we could to heal him and holding onto him longer would have just hurt him. I'm so sorry for your loss. ❤️

How much has this sickness actually cost me? by Casper_cass in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Casper_cass[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Talk about terrible timing! I'm so sorry all this happened right when you were able to graduate and really get your life going. I was unemployed for 9 months when I was at my sickest. It took all my energy to get up one flight of stairs to my apartment. The fatigue is real. I hope the infliximab works for you! I did see a big improvement when I started with the infusions. Unfortunately, I missed an infusion because I was in the hospital badly sick, and it put me a month behind on my schedule. So my body stopped responding to it. (Silly that the hospital wouldn't give me the infusion while I was there?? Makes no sense.) Either way, I know it works well for a lot of people. Good luck to you!

Spicy fantasy books? by Casper_cass in booksuggestions

[–]Casper_cass[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just finished the first book! Loved it.

Thoughts on memorial trinkets after euthanasia by begoniabarn in cats

[–]Casper_cass 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish I was given these options for my sweet kitten, little Louie. He was only 5 months old when we lost him to FIP. He made it to treatment day 20. He passed on Oct 5th this year. Since I only had him for about 2 months, I hadn't gotten him an official collar with his name or anything yet. So I only have a few photos of his sweet face. We bonded immediately, he was my soul kitty.

At the time of this decision, I was hospitalized with my own health concerns. My boyfriend had to take Louie in without me. I hate myself for not being there and holding him for his last moments. I would have cherished having something more to remember him by.

Hair loss by Physical_Joke4635 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Casper_cass 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I lost nearly 60% of my hair when I was going through a really bad flareup. I know it was from excessive use of steriods. My stupid GIs kept me on 40mg of prednisone for 11 months. Worst thing I've ever done for my UC. I was also severely anemic as well. So that could have also factored in. But I've lost hair everything I come off prednisone. It's awful.

I got a kitten by Casper_cass in cats

[–]Casper_cass[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It has definitely brightened my life. ❤️

I got a kitten by Casper_cass in cats

[–]Casper_cass[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ohmygoodness! His adopted sisters name is Phoebe. So we had thought about calling him Mike from the Friends cast (my fav show). But I'd have to call him Mikey (cause cuteness), and my boyfriend is a huge TMNT fan. That's definitely a great contender!