10/29/2026
What better way to celebrate October's Patient of the Month than with a little black cat named Eggroll?🐾 While this 5-month-old kitten may be the perfect face for spooky season, his recent journey at Mission Veterinary Emergency & Specialty was anything but a treat.
Eggroll arrived at our Emergency Department after experiencing several days of lethargy, decreased appetite, and difficulty breathing. Initial diagnostics revealed fluid accumulating around his lungs, raising concern for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a serious disease caused by a feline coronavirus.
Our Emergency and Internal Medicine teams quickly stepped in to help.
Emergency veterinarian Dr. Alex Thorn performed a procedure called thoracocentesis, removing approximately 70 mL of fluid from Eggroll's chest to help ease his breathing. Further diagnostics, including an abdominal ultrasound and consultation with our Internal Medicine veterinarian, Dr. Zack Bieberly, supported the suspicion of FIP, and antiviral treatment was initiated.
Throughout his hospitalization, Eggroll required supplemental oxygen and close monitoring as his team worked to stabilize his breathing.
A little extra breathing room!🩺
Eggroll was one of the patients to benefit from our new VetFlex oxygen cage in our ICU at MVES! This specialized equipment allows our team to provide supplemental oxygen in a controlled environment while closely monitoring patients experiencing respiratory distress. For Eggroll, oxygen support was important in keeping him comfortable as his body began to recover.
Despite his condition, Eggroll's kitten personality couldn't be contained! As his hospitalization progressed, he became brighter, more playful, and increasingly enthusiastic about mealtime.
Under the care of emergency veterinarians Dr. Alex Thorn, Dr. Hannah Pfantz, Dr. Christa Heilman, and our Internal Medicine team, including Dr. Zack Bieberly, Eggroll continued to make progress. After requiring a second thoracocentesis to remove additional fluid, his breathing gradually improved.
By October 16, Eggroll was successfully breathing without supplemental oxygen, eating well, and stable enough to continue his recovery at home with his family! His treatment for suspected FIP will continue over the coming weeks, with close veterinary follow-up.
Eggroll, you've certainly earned your spot as our October Patient of the Month! We're cheering you on as you continue your recovery, and we think this little black cat has plenty of good luck ahead of him!
