Just rescued a kitten - possible FIP?

[leiasmom22]

Hello everyone, I want to thank you all for your support when my beloved Leia passed away. 2 stray kittens have since wondered into my home, and I welcomed them. Today I saw a car dump a kitten, who seemed very disoriented. I ran and got him inside, he was screaming for food, absolutely famished. He ate so much, triple the amount my big 7kg cat eats in a day. It's like he hasn't eaten in 1 week. He's very friendly, and I've kept him separated from the others. He's a male, and has baby teeth so I'm guessing he's 4-6 months old. I noticed his belly seems a bit swollen. He's very sweet, but has been sleepy for the past few hours, always cuddling up to me, but always asking for treats. He also has a ton of fleas (I've done the dish soap thing). He meows really loud and is very talkative, and I'm guessing that's why they dumped him, which breaks my heart. Can anyone tell me if it looks like FIP? I can only get to the vet next week.

Also to add, he's definitely a male. I won't post his bits of course but I've handled a lot of newborn kittens and even then I've been able to tell their gender

 

[stephanietx]

I would consider worms/parasites over FIP. Many kittens are wormy when young. If possible, get him to the vet for a fecal to check for parasites and also for a check up since he was disoriented.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Was his belly bloated before he ate so much? Aside from him possibly overeating, I agree to have him checked for worms. Tapeworms often accompany fleas, and that can cause a cat to feel ravenous too. The disorientation could be related to anything he might have been put through before being dumped. Get him checked out first before worrying about FIP.

 

[leiasmom22]

Hi. Was his belly bloated before he ate so much? Aside from him possibly overeating, I agree to have him checked for worms. Tapeworms often accompany fleas, and that can cause a cat to feel ravenous too. The disorientation could be related to anything he might have been put through before being dumped. Get him checked out first before worrying about FIP.

Hi, I'm not sure as I didn't notice. He was so hungry and desperate for food I ran to get food and didn't pay attention. His belly is still big this morning.
I have an appointment for next week only

 

[Kris107]

I agree with others about worms. Check his stool and/or where he sleeps.

 

[fionasmom]

Thank you for helping all of these kittens. I have rescued kittens in this condition; my Jamie was one of those and no one has has FIP. You are right to keep him separated from your other cats as a general precaution as probably most of us would with any new cat who is brought into the house under emergency circumstances.

Let us know what you find out when he goes to the vet. I agree that he has had enough of a hellacious experience to be scared, hungry, tired, and affectionate to his savior.

 

[leiasmom22]

I agree with others about worms. Check his stool and/or where he sleeps.

He covered his stools this morning but I'm guessing he'll have another BM soon (yes, separate litter box and my other cats are all separate and no contact between them). He's always ravenous, I've never seen a cat eat this much! Let alone a kitten. My first rescue had tapeworms and her belly wasn't like this, that's why I considered FIP

 

[leiasmom22]

Thank you for helping all of these kittens. I have rescued kittens in this condition; my Jamie was one of those and no one has has FIP. You are right to keep him separated from your other cats as a general precaution as probably most of us would with any new cat who is brought into the house under emergency circumstances.

Let us know what you find out when he goes to the vet. I agree that he has had enough of a hellacious experience to be scared, hungry, tired, and affectionate to his savior.

I was lucky enough that neither of my other cats contracted FIV or FELV from my first rescue, and they lived together for years. I didn't know and I find it odd that vets don't test for FIV and FELV when they know it's a stray or rescue. Lesson learned. I've fostered many adult cats, and a kitten. They're now in happy homes

He is very sleepy but also playful! He cuddles up to me a lot. Curiously, all of the male strays I took in to find them a good home, were just like this. They were beat up, in bad shape and they were always so affectionate and loving. I'll give you an update as soon as I get news. So far his mouth / gums look fine, his belly is not hard and he doesn't seem to be in pain if I palpate

 

[Kris107]

Kittens with worms are often hungry because they don't get some of the nutrition. That's really my first guess. My FIP kitten didn't want to eat.