By Dr. Ema Thigpin
Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP, has been a dreaded diagnosis in veterinary medicine for decades. It is caused by a mutated Coronavirus and leads to severe illness in cats. Most affected cats are young, although some senior cat cases are also seen.
There are a variety of ways that FIP can present:
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The classic case of “wet” FIP involves a kitten with a bloated, fluid-filled belly.
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Dry FIP is more challenging to diagnose and may result in granulomas (nodules of inflammation) forming in various parts of the body.
FIP can impact the gastrointestinal system, eyes, nervous system, lungs, kidneys, and more. It is not contagious to other cats but seems to be connected to a specific immune response in the individual.
A Once Fatal Disease
Up until the past few years, FIP was considered a universally fatal disease with no effective treatments. A cat diagnosed with FIP was often euthanized to prevent suffering. Since most infected cats are young, this was especially heartbreaking.
A few years ago, rumors of a possible treatment began circulating—an antiviral medication from China. The medication was not approved in the United States, but cat lovers found ways to import it.
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Treatment involved a series of painful injections that sometimes caused sores or abscesses.
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Despite the challenges, some cats miraculously recovered.
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Veterinarians, bound by strict medication regulations, were often unable to directly prescribe the treatment.
However, as more success stories emerged, desperate veterinarians began suggesting the black-market medication to save their patients.
A New, Approved Treatment
As of last year, there is no longer a need for underground treatments to save cats with FIP.
The Bova Group has partnered with Stokes Pharmacy in the U.S. to provide an officially approved antiviral treatment for FIP.
✅ Even better – the medication is oral rather than injectable!
This breakthrough marks a huge advancement for veterinary medicine, allowing veterinarians to legally and effectively treat cats with FIP. Thanks to this new medication, we can now save the lives of many feline patients who previously had no hope.