Since no later than the 1950s, domesticated cats have had their own lethal coronavirus variants to contend with, the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus, a group of variant yet closely related viral strains. The FIP virus is itself a mutated form of the feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). While FECV infection in healthy cats and kittens results in relatively mild gastrointestinal or respiratory illness usually cleared by a healthy immune response, the FIP virus has always been virtually 100% fatal following the onset of symptoms, resulting in painful, prolonged illness and death or humane euthanasia… Until now.
Guardians of cats diagnosed with FIP now have the option of potentially saving their cat’s life with an experimental protocol: daily injections of the antiviral drug GS-441524, a metabolite of the only FDA-approved drug used to treat COVID-19 in humans, remdesivir. Clinical trials and treatment in cats have thus far shown that approximately 80% of cats receiving daily injections of GS-441524 for 84 days are alleviated of FIP’s fatal symptoms.
Gus Gus was a tiny 2.8 pound bloated-belly, crumby-feeling kitty when he was diagnosed with FIP at age 13 weeks and was inevitably heading towards lethargy, inappetence, other unspeakable suffering, and ultimately, premature humane euthanasia. When adoptive kitten parents have already fallen in love with their new family member, this outcome is simply not conceivable, and for good reason. Even at 13 weeks, kittens are developing their own uniquely evident personalities and are full of curiosity, intelligence, sentience, affection, and attachment to their new human parents. Gus Gus’ mom and dad loved him unconditionally and were determined to do everything they could to save his life. CatSat felt equally determined to do everything in our power to help save his life. Veterinarians cannot legally procure, prescribe, or administer GS-441524 since it is not currently licensed or FDA-approved for veterinary use. However, CatSat Atlanta can and does legally administer this drug to our clients’ FIP positive cats when the client has already independently procured the drug on their own and is searching for someone to help teach them how to administer it safely and effectively. We have helped save the lives of two FIP+ neutered male cats as of April 2022, Gus Gus and Larry (both declared by their vets as officially cured) and are now administering injections to a third FIP+ neutered female kitty named June.
As for our first FIP+ client, Gus Gus, he is now a very much alive, perfect, happy and healthy little person-in-a-cat-suit kitty who turned 1 year old in April 2022. His parents and CatSat are more in love with him than ever, and he returns the love every single day of his lucky, well-deserved life, which has value beyond measure not only to himself, but to those whose lives are made better because of him. He has developed into one of the happiest, smartest, and funniest kitties we have ever met. Happy birthday, Gus Gus!
