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Ch S*Cas-Sus Emmet Cullen

(aka Lampyr Pop-pop)

 

Our beautiful 'Lampyr' Emmet has arrived all the way from Sweden's CAS-SUS RAGDOLLS Thank you Susanne - we loved him dearly and we will never forget him. We are grateful for the little time he had to spend with us here.

He was everything we were hoping for - great 'type' with the true ragdoll temperament - he came out of the cage after several long flights purring and immidiately relaxed in my arms. I fell for him on first sight! And what a big solid boy he was!

Emmet got sick and died within several days, only 18 months old.  He had lesions on his lungs and kidneys - it was dry, noneffusive form of FIP. As Emmet lived separately from our other cats, with his roommate Gala who is not affected but will remain in isolation in case she is shedding the virus, we don't think any of our other cats are in danger. It is the worst disease that can happen to cats and I really wish I did not have to see it. However, luckily it does not affect all cats - some cats seem to be predispositioned for it.

FIP is caused by a common virus, corona virus (FECV), and majority of cats with FECV will remain perfectly healthy (95%). But in a small number of cats the virus mutates. It is a very large virus, made up of many nucleotides. As they reproduce, errors are made in copying those nucleotides do that mutations are produced. While most of the copying errors result in harmless changes, some will have the effect of giving FECV the ability to cause disease. These mutatnt strains of FECV are then called FIPV.  Mutant FECV arise in individual cats. Cats don't catch FIP in a usual sense - they develop the disease from their own mutant FECV. Therefore, in most cases, cats that are ill with FIP are unlikely to be a risk to other cats. (Information taken from the book "The CFA's Complete Cat Book")

It is a hard disease to diagnose, and develops very fast. In Emmet's case - he got sick on Wednesday and died next Monday. I only noticed he was not his usual self - greeting me and juping up for cuddles. It seemed like his nose was blocked, and he was breething through his mouth. I got worried and took him to the vet - he had high fever and we suspected it is something with his lungs and he got antibiotics and fluids under his skin. Friday he got worse, not eating and breathing harder. Saturday we visited the vet - his fever was down and she could not hear that there was any fluid in his lungs (he had dry form of FIP). We went home and monday night he got really bad - started breathing very heavy and fast and cried. I called my vet and took him in - we were going to x-ray his chest to see if we can see what is going on. On my way to town Emmet cried all the time, and then he pushed his head into my hand and went quiet. I knew he died.

My sweetest baby, it is not fair. I hate to loose you so soon. I miss you so so much. Gala misses you too - she keeps running out every time I go to see her hoping I will bring you back. I so wish I could.

Winn Feline Foundation's anual symposium in June this year (2011) is focusing on FIP as there has finally been some progress with fighting the disease. Speakers are Alfred Legendre and Niels C. Pedersen, who has been working on FIP for the longest time.

In memory of Emmet, a portion of every kitten sale will be donated to SOCKFIP. Please support them too!