04/02/2025
We continue to treat FIP successfully working closely with Algarvet - Centro Veterinário dos Olhos de Água who have been with us every step of the way 🙏
ALL ABOUT OUR FIP TREATMENT PROGRAM
If you are like me, you are not familiar with FIP (Feline infectious peritonitis) - but diagnostic tests and a new revolutionary treatment ‘GS’ has changed all that!
Sandra has been explaining...
Whereas in the past a cat might have died from unknown causes today there are 3 tests (Proteinogram, Hemogram and Apha-1 glycoprotein) that can help veterinarians diagnose FIP and although we dread a suspected positive diagnosis as it is really a horrible disease, we are more confident now about treating it successfully, if discovered early enough.
We treat with the revolutionary GS (combination of injections and pills) for a minimum of 12 weeks*. It is very expensive. Because of the sensitivity around the worldwide regulatory approval of treating cats with FIP with GS we have not shared details of our FIP treatment program - until now.
About GS
USA: Dr. Niels Pedersen, a professor emeritus at UC Davis, devoted his 50-year career to studying FIP and searching for a cure. Pedersen and his team at UC Davis found a cure in a drug known as GS-441524, or GS for short. It blocks the virus's ability to replicate. The problem? GS-441524 is almost identical to remdesivir, the much talked about drug for COVID-19 in humans, manufactured by California-based Gilead who refused to license GS-441524 for use in cats. However, on1 June 2024 FIP treatment GS-441524 was made available in the U.S by Stokes Pharmacy with Bova Group.
UK and Australia: have their own legally available versions of GS-441524.
EU: from 1 October 2024, products containing GS-441524 are the first EU legally regulated options available in France,* offered by manufacturers Pharmacy Delpech and FrancePrep (BOVA formula).
Worldwide: 'Knock offs' of GS-441524 are also manufactured by various companies in China and have been used widely and successfully during the unregulated period of GS in other countries.
* France is working on cutting treatment period from 84 to 42 days.
What is FIP?
A viral disease caused by a mutated strain of feline coronavirus.
FIP is more common in cats that live in shelters, or catteries where they are stressed due to re-homing, recent surgery, or they have concurrent infections. Genetic factors also contribute to the development of FIP. Male cats are affected more often than females.
80-90% of cats in multi-cat environments become infected with one or more strains of feline coronavirus, most remain healthy. The incidence of FIP is low - only 5% to 10%. FIP is not believed to be contagious, it is progressive and until recently almost always fatal.
Most cats develop the "wet" form of FIP, which refers to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen or in the chest cavity, resulting in difficulty breathing.
Some cats develop "dry” FIP involving severe inflammation in one or more organs including the eyes, brain, liver, intestine, or other organs of the body. Many will have ocular (eye) symptoms as their only clinical sign.
Our ongoing involvement with FIP...
Our first diagnosed encounter with FIP was in 2021, one of a litter of kittens, Daisy developed FIP. Devastatingly after many weeks of painful injections Daisy appeared to recover only to relapse weeks later and pass away. We had a further two cases early in 2023 and after a lengthy battle lost both Flora and Lucas.😿
Towards the end of 2023 we started new testing and getting early positive diagnoses started treatment immediately with GS and have successfully treated Dotty, Filipina and Matty with Henry just completing the treatment with encouraging signs of recovery and Loki, Lewis and most recently Bailey diagnosed and under treatment. Although survival depends on early diagnosis, we have not had another fatality and are extremely encouraged by the success rate of treatment with GS.
With over 150 cats and kittens from the worst possible situations in a sanctuary, to have ten cats over 2 years testing positive for FIP is statistically about right. We are excited about the recovery rate but are weighed down by the cost of treatment (over 12 weeks) for each cat. We receive no funding towards our FIP program but will always endeavour to find the funds somehow to give every sufferer a chance of recovery. Every life matters.
If you would like to contribute towards the FIP Treatment Program, we would be very grateful. Donations can be made (marked FIP) via PayPal to [email protected] or via MBway to 917272857 or bank IBAN/NIB PT50 0036 0337 9910 0019 4680 8.
Thank you all for your encouragement and support.
