Esteban is a an energetic 10-month-old Savannah cat. He was surrendered by his family when they could not get his chronic 
bloody diarrhea under control. They’d purchased Esteban from a breeder who never informed them of the common health issues of the breed. After thousands of dollars of veterinary bills, tests, and treatments, they reached out to The Wildcat Sanctuary.
Esteban tested positive for Tritrichomonas and had symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Both of these conditions are common in many Bengal and Savannah cats surrendered to The Wildcat Sanctuary. Read stories from hybrid owners here.
The owner also consulted the original breeder who would not accept Esteban back due to his health issues.
Upon arrival, Esteban received an intake exam where further tests were performed. His diet was slowly changed and he was put on supplements and an anti-inflammatory medication to calm his GI tract.
Within a few short days, he was having solid stools. Treating the symptoms of IBD is a fine balance and, for the remainder of his life, he and his diet will need to be closely monitored.
Esteban loves people and is a huge cuddler. He is very playful and does happy somersaults to have his belly rubbed. He loves watching the birds out the windows and chasing bugs.
We will slowly introduce him to other cats, because that is the one thing he is not too fond of yet.
Esteban’s Diagnosis
To meet him is to love him. Esteban is the sweetest 11-month old kitten you could ever meet. He’s very confident, loves everyone he meets and could have a whole life ahead of him….hopefully.
Esteban is an F3 Savannah Cat that was surrendered to The Wildcat Sanctuary just a few short weeks ago. In those few short weeks, though, he’s become very special to so many. We fell in love instantly.
The owner had spent 10 months and several thousand dollars trying to treat Esteban’s chronic, bloody diarrhea. We’ve accepted over 40 Bengal Cats, Savannahs and other hybrids into our Sanctuary. Most were surrendered for territory urination and similar health issues including IBD – inflammatory bowel disease.
What we knew about precious 11-month old Esteban was:
- He had a grade 2 heart murmur
- He had tested positive for the parasite tri-trichomonas
- He had chronic, bloody diarrhea from inflammatory bowel disease
- He had been in a cat fight a day prior and was limping on his left leg
- He was purchased from a Bengal/Savannah breeder who would not take him back
Within a few days, we were able to get his IBD under control and he had formed stools. We really thought we were on the road to recovery. Within the same week, Esteban began having an increased white blood cell count and fever and had to be hospitalized.
In just a few short days, we spent over $2,700 to diagnose and hopefully treat his illness:
- He was hospitalized with an IV catheter including fluids and antibiotics to bring down the
white blood cell count and high temperature - We are trying to rule out feline infectious peritonitis – FIP, lymphoma and a possible bacterial infection
- Blood work showed high corona titers and globulins consistent with dry FIP
- An ophthalmologist performed an eye exam looking for changes consistent with FIP
- An additional serum test has been sent out with results still pending
- An ultrasound was performed on his abdomen and digestive tract showing inflamed lymph nodes, but no current signs of FIP. This one procedure was donated by talented and compassionate Dr. Ralph Weichselbaum. Thank you!
- Radiographs revealed a bone chip/injury (most likely due to the cat fight he had the day before his arrival at TWS) which was causing the limping and could also be causing a serious bacterial bone infection
The money and time we’ve spent is all worth it if we can give Esteban a healthy life and future. If you had the chance to meet Esteban, you’d agree there was no other choice. He is absolutely worth it.
Esteban responds well to antibiotics for a short time, but then his fever returns. We’re continuing to try new antibiotics, as we wait for further test results, in hopes these will help.
But rest assured, Esteban is comfortable. He’s enjoying the personalized attention and love we’re showering him with. We have his best interest at heart. How could we not, he already has ours.
Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that Esteban has FIP, and it is terminal. We will keep him comfortable as long as we can and hope that his story and case can contribute to more information on FIP and a cure.
I knew this day would come. I even prayed that when it was time, there would be a clear sign and it would go fast. We knew he was terminal, and we didn’t want him to suffer. Even though all of that came true, it still doesn’t make letting him go any easier.
if he was one of the first.
