Wonderful News about FIP Treatment

by Margejane | Cat Health, Featured

FIP was once considered fatal to cats.  However, as the following article explains, there is a new treatment that has actually cured cats!  This is wonderful news.  Please read on, and thank you for your support.

In January 2021, Patty, one of my three Feral Fixers foster kittens, was diagnosed with wet/effusive FIP.  It was devastating news since I had lost four out of five of one of my litters to FIP a few years prior and everything I’d ever read when researching it had said it was fatal.  Patty’s belly was huge and I could feel every bone in her spine and hips.  I had been syringe-feeding her at the time of the diagnosis since, once I noticed a big belly, I separated her from her sisters to monitor her food intake and noticed she wasn’t eating on her own.  But once we got the official diagnosis, I was heartbroken.  All I pictured was watching her deteriorate each day with an inevitable fate of death.  I couldn’t bear it and Tammy didn’t want me to have to go through that either so we scheduled a euthanasia appointment for a couple of days later.  

When I was holding Patty in my arms the night before her appointment, something was telling me that it wasn’t her time to go yet and I was drawn to my computer.  I started Googling and researching and I can’t even remember what I was entering into the search bar but somehow I found out about a Facebook group called FIP Fighters.  They were helping to clinically cure cats of FIP through a treatment called GS-441524.  I answered the few questions required to join and waited to be accepted into the group. 

The next morning, I had a message from one of the Administrators in my Facebook Messenger app.  He told me about the three brands of treatment their group recommended, the dosages, the cost, and the frequent bloodwork required during treatment.  I emailed Tammy and asked to cancel Patty’s euthanasia appointment and see if she’d approve of me trying this treatment if I bought the meds and Feral Fixers paid for the supplies, supplements, and monthly bloodwork.  She said she was willing to give it a shot!  Yes, we were putting our trust in this unknown drug from China, which was not approved for use by veterinarians in the U.S., but we really had nothing to lose.

I ordered the cheapest of the three medicines, gathered the required needles and syringes, and watched videos on how to give an injection.  I also scoured through the FIP Fighters Facebook group, looking for posts with tips on how to give injections and helpful supplements to give during treatment, etc.  I was terrified and dreading that first needle poke, knowing that I had so many more to go after that one. 

The protocol for treatment is 84 days of injections, administered at the same time every day, with monthly bloodwork to see if improvements are being made, followed by 84 days of observation.  If there is no relapse during the observation period, the cat is considered “clinically cured” of FIP.

I was about to venture into a six-month commitment to try to cure Patty but I was ready.  I focused on the success stories shared by fellow FIP Fighters.  I became obsessed with the Facebook group, tears constantly running down my cheeks as I read posts throughout the day.  Sometimes tears of hope and joy when someone shared a success story and sometimes tears of sadness when someone shared their loss.

But the very special thing about this Facebook group was that everyone was so supportive and helpful.  That, alone, inspired me since it is so hard to find these days.  And it was an international group.  I really felt like I had found “my people.”  I was determined that Patty would be a success story and we could share her journey with others and let people know there IS hope after a FIP diagnosis.

After two weeks of injections, Patty’s distended belly had finally noticeably subsided and she was eating on her own.  I syringe-fed her for quite a while, even supplemented her with it once she started eating little bits of food.  Each day, I also gave her Pet-Tinic for her anemia, an injection of B12, and a milk thistle for liver support since GS-441524 is hard on the liver.  (The Administrators of the Facebook group recommend liver support in conjunction with the treatment.)  I shared each bloodwork report with my Admin to get his comments/suggestions. 

Patty finished her 84 days of injections in April and was given clearance to enter the observation period. She finished her 84 days of observation in July without any incident of relapse and is now considered “clinically cured.”  She took the injections like a champ and I am so proud of her.  I’ve read many stories about cats who would really fight them so I felt very fortunate to have such a good 

patient.  And a positive side effect of this whole experience is that I felt proud of myself and became more confident in my capabilities to treat cats in the future.

Special thanks to Erika Vezza, author of this article, and Feral Fixers for permission to post this wonderful story.  Visit FeralFixers.org to learn more about this great cat rescue organization.

Why are cats so susceptible to kidney disease?

by Margejane | Cat Health, Featured

Cats are particularly prone to kidney damage and it has a variety of causes. Infections, cancers, exposure to toxins, and malfunction of the immune system may all be responsible for starting a slow process of damage, leading eventually to loss of function and kidney failure. The original cause is often no longer present at the time of diagnosis and sometimes will never be discovered.

The body has more kidney tissue than it needs, so much may be lost before symptoms develop – and before blood tests show changes. This slow progressive process is referred to as “chronic” kidney disease. Occasionally, previously healthy kidneys suffer sudden and massive damage (acute kidney disease) but this is less common.

What do the kidneys do?

Kidneys filter the blood and take out poisonous by-products produced by the workings of the body. These are added to water to form urine.

They also get rid of excess water into urine or, when water is lacking, can concentrate urine to reduce water loss. When they are diseased, the ability to concentrate urine is lost and the animal has to drink more to get rid of the body’s waste products.

The kidney regulates the number of various salts (sodium and potassium, among others) within the body by moving smaller or larger amounts into the urine. Kidney disease may cause some of these to build up within the circulation making the animal ill and perpetuating the kidney damage.

Other functions of the kidney include the production of chemicals called hormones. One hormone causes the blood vessels to expand or contract – lowering or increasing the blood pressure. Another hormone stimulates the body to make red blood cells so, when the kidney’s hormone production is out of balance, this can sometimes cause anemia.

How is kidney disease diagnosed?

Diagnosis is reached by a combination of blood and urine tests. An increase in the toxic substances that the kidney normally removes can be measured in the bloodstream. Looking at the concentration of the urine is also helpful.

In kidney disease, urine is diluted and more prone to infection – which can be detected by tests. In some cases, the only way of finding the cause of the disease is by biopsy (removing a piece of kidney for examination).

This involves an operation, therefore, it is often not done unless there is a chance that a definitive diagnosis could help in the treatment of your cat. In many cases, the damage – which causes the symptoms – cannot be reversed.

What are the symptoms?

Everyone knows that in an animal, drinking lots of water can be a sign of kidney disease, but this can also be a symptom of other illnesses.

Cats are discreet and maybe secret drinkers, so early signs of excess thirst may be missed and they may become quite ill before treatment is sought.

As kidney disease advances, other symptoms include weight loss, signs of dehydration, poor appetite, smelly breath, a sore mouth, vomiting and weakness. Eventually, there may be twitchiness or even fits. However, these symptoms are common to many illnesses, not just kidney disease.

What is the treatment?

There is no cure. Treatment aims to minimize the symptoms, by reducing toxin production, keeping salt levels normal, and slowing the rate of ongoing damage.

Cats that are unwell and severely dehydrated may benefit from intravenous fluids to re-hydrate and flush out toxins. If improvement does not follow, then kidney damage may be severe, and you should consider the options carefully with your vet. Home nursing is very important.

The toxins produce nausea, loss of appetite, and sometimes mouth and stomach ulcers. Tempting food, such as fresh fish or chicken, warmed and given by hand may help. If loss of appetite is long-term, your cat’s quality of life becomes questionable and should be discussed with your vet.

How long will my cat live?

This varies, depending on the severity of the disease, the underlying cause, and the speed at which ongoing kidney damage is occurring – something which only time will reveal.

The most important consideration is the well-being and happiness of the patient. Some cats, although thin and drinking lots, stay reasonably well for one to two years or more. Others can be unwell and deteriorate rapidly within weeks.

Long-term treatment

Free access to water is essential, especially in the summer. If the cat is accidentally shut in without water, dehydration and toxin build-up can happen rapidly.

Encourage your cat to drink by placing water bowls in several rooms. Cats prefer dog size bowls, which should be filled to the brim and placed away from feeding places.

Some cats prefer running water so consider getting a water fountain. Many of the toxins come from dietary protein, and there is increasing evidence that low protein diets improve general condition and longevity. Cats can be very reluctant to try new foods, so try to start dietary change at initial diagnosis, when the cat’s appetite may be better. Be prepared to mix new and old diets together for one to two weeks.

Warming food may help. However, with a cat that absolutely refuses to eat the diet, maintaining a healthy appetite becomes more important than eating a special diet.

You need to discuss what is best for your animal with your vet. Anabolic steroids may be given in an attempt to improve appetite and reduce weight loss.

Other drugs, which are sometimes used, include ACE inhibitors. They may preserve function in undamaged parts of the kidney, while anti-nausea drugs, appetite stimulants, and anti-ulcer drugs may improve appetite.

Excessive potassium loss due to failing kidneys may lead to weakness, therefore potassium powder or tablets may be prescribed.

Phosphates may build up in the circulation of patients with kidney problems, worsening the kidney damage, so your vet may prescribe medicine to reduce your cat’s intake of phosphates, especially if your cat is not eating a special low protein diet.

A blood pressure check may be suggested. High blood pressure worsens kidney damage and unfortunately, kidney disease can cause high blood pressure – working in a vicious circle. In advanced cases of anemia, there are treatments to stimulate red blood cell production, but these are expensive, only work short-term, and are not suitable in all cases.

Your vet will discuss with you what is best for your cat. In summary, kidney disease cannot be cured, but there are treatments that may make your pet feel better.