Close up picture of a light brown cat with dark brown stripes and light green eyes
Close up picture of a light brown cat with dark brown stripes and light green eyes

We adopted Leo as a tiny kitten. We took him with us on family vacations around the Pacific Northwest. He played fetch and was the smartest, most awesome cat. He became ill around 10 months old. We had a lot of testing procedures and learned from Pacific Ave Vet Clinic that he had Feline Infection Peritonitis (FIP). We were counseled on euthanasia, and there was discussion of other FIP survivors and alternatives that were not in the US.
We were going to anything to save him, he was our family.
We contacted FIP Warriors in China and paid a heavy price for medicine (Remdesivir). We proceeded with the 84 day treatment plan and he was back to health within 2 days. Playful, loving but a bit changed from FIP. It was obvious he was blind in one eye and he had some permanent fatigue. We enjoyed a couple more years together. He enjoyed cat treats, fun toys and good food. He was 14 pounds and a bit heavy, but I equated this weight gain with health since he was only 7 pounds while ill.
I am a cancer survivor and Leo and I had an intense bond since we both had been ill from a life threatening disease, and we both recovered survived. We enjoyed a couple more wonderful years together, greetings when I came home from work, play time and sleeping together every night.
One evening I noticed Leo was extra fatigued and not able to walk without laying down and panting. I took him to our vet and was advised his lungs were full of fluid. After extensive testing we learned he had cardiac failure. We thought it might be pneumonia and did everything we could to save him. We just wanted more time with this beautiful soul.
He suffered for a day and I contacted Lap of Love for a second opinion. They confirmed he was beyond saving and we made the hardest decision to say goodbye and end his misery trying to breathe from cardiomyopathy and filled lungs.
He passed away peacefully in our home. Our family will not be the same and there is a hole in our hearts. We were hoping to have more years with this sweet soul. We love you Leo!