03/01/2023
On 29th December Oreo went to the vet to get checked for a distended belly. What we thought was maybe some constipation or an upset tummy turned out to be way more serious. Scans showed that he had significant fluid in his abdomen, Oreo was admitted for further evaluation. Unfortunately, all results pointed to feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP. It originates from a common virus that many cats get, the feline coronavirus. However, in rare cases the virus mutates into FIP and in the form Oreo has, it causes an overwhelming immune response leading to fluid buildup in the abdomen, chest, and brain, ultimately leading to death. Historically, it has been a death sentence as there was no licenced medication to treat his condition. If we’re lucky, we would have a couple weeks with him.
But there’s still hope. A drug very similar to Remdesivir, which you may have heard of in treating human coronavirus and Ebola, has been proven up to 90% successful in the survival of cats with FIP. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get a hold of and extremely expensive. My partner and I are committed to doing everything we can to save Oreo, even if that means spending an estimated £10,000 on medication and going to as many follow-up appointments as necessary until one day we hear the words, “he’s cured.”
We are never usually ones to ask for help, but in this case every little bit makes a big difference. Even for those of you who can’t donate, please keep Oreo in your thoughts and prayers - he is too good for this world and deserves so much more than just living to see his 3rd birthday.
