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Early education about FIP and possible treatments will prompt cat owners to get biologics like Polyprenyl Immunostimulant to stricken cats early enough for the biologics to do some good.

What is PI?

Polyprenyl Immunostimulant (PI) is an experimental veterinary biologic by Sass & Sass, Inc. (www.sassandsass.com). The studies of its efficacy for feline rhinotracheitis and infectious peritonitis (FIP) are directed by Dr. Alfred Legendre (UTK).

You can bring attention to Polyprenyl Immunostimulant  by “Liking” it on Facebook.  It is anticipated that PI will be released in the near future, for now it is experimental. Its also important to know that PI only has an effect on Dry FIP.

For highlights about PI See the summary of the Winn Feline Foundation Symposium here: Steve Dale’s Pet World.

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I knew I’d be traveling for work this week so I posted pictures of Mariah on Facebook in the FIP Fighters group before I left. I cried ahead of time. She died on October 20, 2008– so it was yesterday. (this is described in my previous blog )

I go on a trip at about this time every year. That year I was in Savannah enjoying beautiful weather and watching boats float by right outside of our meeting room. I worried about my kitty that was at home because when I left, she wasn’t quite right.

I came home that Thursday and found that Mariah had developed the neurological symptoms of Dry FIP.  I didn’t know what it was. I had no clue and assumed she could be cured of whatever she had.

But she collapsed on Saturday and was gone on Monday. FIP STINKS! 

I couldn’t cry on my trip to Houston this week but I thought about her. I will think of her each year when I make that trip, no matter where it is. I can cry now, I have the time and space.

Mariah started me off on the path of activism. Seeing her go from bright energetic kitten to a kitten shaken by seizures made something click in my mind and heart. So when I pack my car to go to a show I don’t think twice. I HAVE to do it.

Most of the time I end up sharing a box of kleenex with someone as they tell me about a loss. Grief is a process. If one isn’t allowed to pass through the stages with the support of loved ones, one gets stuck in protracted grief.

A lot of the time I see the look of relief on a breeder’s face when they realize FIP is not contageous. Every time I’m at a show I distribute info from the Winn Feline Foundation with their support. And with special support from Susan Gingrich (yes that Gingrich)  the founder of the Bria Fund. Susan is doing mirror FIP Fighter booths in the Mid-Atlantic area.

Poor Mariah showed me the horror of FIP. I reacted and did something. Its life and activism intertwined.

Thank you everyone who has donated to support the booth so I can inform about FIP and raise funds for Winn. Thank you to everyone who has donated directly to Winn. There are two donate buttons on this blog. One is at the top right and one is lower down. They are clearly marked.

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Ace watches football and shows his perfect Bengal cat profile

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I don’t know how this happened but I end up wearing this t-shirt for at least one of the days at a cat show. So it has become the FIP Fighter uniform.

FIP Fighter Uniform?

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Where did the name of my old blog come from? My Indigo Sea.. A sweet reader has admired the name. (comments are welcome here remember )
When I started writing the blog I had two cats: Indigo and Seamus. I grew up just a short walk from the ocean. I love it and miss it.
So My Indigo Sea. My loves.

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Wooohooo! Sapphire (WFB Ruby Sapphire) is the June cat in Audra Mitchell’s 2012 Bengal Cat Calendar!

Here is my sweet Sapphire.

Here is the link to Audra Mitchell Photography.

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Hey look what I’ve got for you for a $10 donation to the FIP-HCM Fighters booth! They are auto-magnets that say really funny stuff or honor our favorite cat breeds or causes. Below is a sample. And here are all  the magnets.

Bengals!

Obsessive Cat Disorder

Are you a Crazy Cat Lady?

I love Ragdolls!

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Ace was chosen for Honorable Mention (4th Place) for week 12 of the Bissell Most Valuable Pet Photo Contest! This puts him in the running for one of five prices. The Grand Prize is $10,000 to be given to the Bria Fund for FIP Research at the Winn Foundation.

The winner should be announced on or around April 14. Cross your paws!

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Its been a while since I started setting up the FIP-HCM Fighters booth at cat shows. The booth has come a long way.

Newest pictures at the booth at the Field of Dreams TICA show in Raleigh, NC.

We've expanded!

Heather helped! Thanks Heather!

Thanks to Kathleen Jack, we have magnets and posters!

FIP FIGHTERS

Donations go to the Bria Fund at the Winn Feline Foundation

FIP Fighters sponsored a ring!

Please help me continue to inform about FIP by donating to Paypal Seamuskitty@hotmail.com. Thank-you very much.

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