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Ernie necropsy prelim
Everything anatomically was normal. Only findings were slightly fatty liver (possibly due to little eating the last 2 weeks) and viscous fluid in the abdomen.
His initial impression: FIP 
I stressed to him to *not* settle on that dx, to maintain an open mind- that we did a blood test and fluid analysis- both were negative for it. That he never had a fever. The timing of it all, what the blood panels showed, etc. He re-assured me that histology will definitively prove FIP vs. acute liver toxicity. He said my evidence is "compelling" and he is very interested what this shows, but that his initial impression is FIP.
GAHHHHH. I thought we had ruled out FIP, hence my spending money on 4 nights of hospitalization and aggressive treatment. If it's FIP, I don't have much of a case against old vet (although everyone is in agreement that you DO NOT give a 4 month old kitten with a URI 3 vaccines, a liver metabolized antibiotic, and an adult dose of anti-parasitic in the same day).
*AND* if it's FIP I'm going to be EXTREMELY paranoid about Chewy..... and adopting another kitten... which may or may not be silly.
But if it is FIP, I suppose I can find comfort in the fact that no one "killed" him, that it wasn't human error, and maybe I could find faith in vets again....
Histology/florescent stains/final path report won't be in until late next week...
Re: Ernie necropsy prelim
Katie Talks About...
Please define FIP? I don't have cats, so I don't know the lingo.
Also, I understand the need to find someone (or something) at fault. Believe me. Unfortunately, there's nothing that's gonna bring the little guy back. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but I hope you can find peace. I'm worried that if you do find that someone made a mistake, you'll just be dragging yourself through this over an over. Just know that we all care and wish you the best.
FIP is Feline Infectious Peritonitis. It's caused by a normal virus (corona virus) that mutates in some cats and there is no treatment or cure for it.. it is something like 98% fatal.
In all honesty, I'm in a pretty good place psychologically.... I miss that little kitten so much, but I know hubs and I did everything in our power to save him and that his short life here was good. DH isn't doing as well as I am, he is very sad and I think that all of this is still up in the air is really wearing on him.
No matter what the necropsy reveals, ultimately we still lost our cat and it is horribly painful... but getting some (or all) of these vet bills refunded would help a LOT with other burdens/worries.... superficial, but true...
and if we can prove this drug combo is bad, I feel like even though Ernie died there were lessons learned that could potentially save other cats in the future.
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