Dear frhnshrn,
I'm very sorry to hear this.But don't worry.I have some infos here for you=)
First of all,I would like to ask you if your baby Hercules is an indoor or a outdoor cat?This is because this virus mostly affects outdoor cats.This is because outdoor cats often meet other cats(strays) who maybe already infected.FIP is generally not contagious but its initial form,the coronavirus is contagious to other cats.FIP is the mutated form of feline coronavirus(read more on Wikipedia).So This is why cats should be kept strictly indoors or only allowed outdoors supervised(on leash for eg).
Secondly,I'm very sure that you boy contracted this virus from your neighborhood so please alert your neighbors of this as their cats could be at risk too..And I will advice you to quarantine Hercules at home so you could look after him.I will also advice you to separate your other cats(get them tested too) to eliminate risk of infection.(if any-particularly very young or very old cats(they are most susceptible)).
Thirdly,the treatment for FIP is symptomatic and palliative only, i.e. typically the owner is advised to make the cat as comfortable as possible.IV fluids might be needed for Hercules if he is dehydrated.Your vet is the best person to help you now.Discuss all your other options with your vet throughly before coming to euthanasia.
Links for you:
WIKIPEDIA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_...us_peritonitis
Other resources:
http://www.newmanveterinary.com/fip.html
http://www.dr-addie.com/treatment.htm
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/news/fip.htm
http://stevedalepetworld.com/print-a...ment-called-pi
I would love to send my prayers to Hercules and you.Hope to hear good news from you.Don't panic,keep reading so you get the latest infos to help your baby.I know that his chances are slim as this disease is incurable but there are cases where infected cats lived for a long time after dianosis.<3
I will keep posting infos I get from time to time.I hope I helped.Stay strong hun.And sorry if I provided any wrong infos=)