We bought a turkish angora 2 days ago from lady who raises them. Kitten had rough start, runt, bottle fed and just finished antibiotics for a cold. Took her to vet today. She has a fever, eyes matt sometimes, she has distended belly. Appetite is good she is playful. He thinks she has FIP. Testing will be around 500.00. FIP is fatal. What should we do?? :

I'm not sure what you are asking. Should you have the test done? If I could afford it, I would, just to let you know what you are dealing with. He thinks it's FIP, but what if the test comes back negative? Which is a tack to take if you don't have the money for the test... Ask the vet what the steps would be if the test was negative, and see if they cost less. If so, you may want to do them, and hope for a positive result (since that would indicate that the cat did not have FIP and hopefully the other disease would be easier to treat.) If the cat does have FIP, then there is not much you can do but treat the symptoms and make their life easier for the time you have them.

If you were wondering something else, get back to us with more information.

Unfortunately, the tests for FIP are not terribly reliable as far as I know. The kitten's belly could also be distended by worms or constipation. Have you contacted her breeder to see if she has had any problems with FIP in her cattery? (not that that would prove anything one way or another, but might give you some insight.) If you continue symptomatic treatment and the swelling resolves, it unlikely to be FIP.