Many of you remember Journey and his battle with cryptococcosis! It had consumed his entire face when he was rescued from the shelter in 2022. 

Journey’s battle has been real and very long. A test in September 2025, confirmed that his cryptococcosis was fully cured and his numbers were at zero. Finally, we thought this boy would get some peace and would continue live his best life. You can imagine our dismay and heartbreak when this beautiful courageous boy started losing weight, became lethargic and was no longer interested in eating. He went to the vet this week and x-rays confirmed that his heart is enlarged, but his blood work confirmed and revealed a much worse diagnosis.  Lucille is syringe feeding him at the time to keep him alive. 

Test results: 

1. Enlarged heart with a grade 4 heart murmur. 

2. He has now tested positive for FIV.  Something we did not know is that it can be dormant in the cat and can develop at anytime during their lifespan. 

3. This is the BIG one. Journey has F.I.P. - YES, you read that right. 4. He is also anemic! 

From his caregiver and forever foster, Lucille: 

I  need to explain to all of you how this most likely came about as I am still researching it . (Cats with both cryptococcosis and FIP)  I must explain so it isn’t confusing. Now we have JOURNEY  - we don’t know what the correlation is . However we expect since CORONA VIRUS is affecting more than 80 per cent of the world's population of cats that the cats listed above ALL HAD Corona virus due to being immune compromised by crypto . It was just a matter of time for it to explode into FIP .  For Journey he was sick most of his first year of crypto . He was often being treated with anti viral medications . I now know that he had Corona Virus based on what is happening now . He is immune compromised . Has been for a long time . To find out he has FIV as well is a blow only because his treatment for FIP will be more difficult.  I had no idea that FIV could be latent . Journey has had several blood panels in the last 3 years . He has always tested NEGATIVE for FIV . This most likely came to the surface because of an enlarged heart and  Corona virus mutating or it can be turned around different ways . Which one is the result of the other ????? We will never know .  FIV doesnt concern me . In this case with Journey it will because of the FIP . I cant think of an enlarged heart at the moment . FIP holds the greatest danger for him .  LORD GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO FIGHT THIS . I AM DEVASTATED .  

Journey will need to see a cardiologist for a more definite diagnosis and treatment plan. He also needs to be on medication for FIP and these things are very expensive. We are coming to you again on Journey’s  behalf for help.

Please donate towards his ongoing care. Journey is only eight years old, and three of those last years have been spent being treated for a horrible disease called cryptococcosis. He deserves some peace and to live a pain-free life, we are begging for your help.

Thank you! Terri and Lucille, Pawsitive Tails To Remember, Inc.