FIP Survivors

Millie was one of the first cats in the UK to be treated for her diagnosed Wet FIP in late summer of 2021. Millie was very ill. Her devoted owner took Millie to the vets every day for 84 days to receive the only available vet treatment at that time (Remdesivir injections.) Millie is now more than 3 years since diagnosis and she is thriving! Millie was one of the biggest pioneers of UK vet FIP treatment. Due to her and her owner’s courage and persistence, they have helped many, many FIP cats be saved from death as Millie’s owner continues to actively share their story of success!

Barbs, on the day that he was about to be euthanised (19th August 2021), which was 6 days after his FIP diagnosis and now. He was almost weightless, it felt like lifting a wee bag of jelly because he was also lifeless. I felt that he had been through enough. I had been syringe feeding him on the hour every hour for a week, alternating between liquidised food one hour, water the next. But the vet agreed to put him on IV fluids for an hour to see if it would give him a boost. I took him home, and that night he attempted to eat from his dish! It was correct that it would take about 3 days for the medication to start working. From that point Barbs got better and better, and completed the 12 week course of treatment. Sadly he relapsed in December, and had to start a new 8 week course of treatment. His initial treatment had been of a lower than recommended dose, but this time my vet agreed to (reluctantly) follow the rules. By February 2023 Barbs was finished his treatment, and he hasn’t looked back since. It cost us over £13,000, our retirement fund depleted, but he was worth every penny. He is now overweight, although very active and full of fun and mischief.

Rafiki was very unwell in December 2021. His vet suspected a liver shunt, and he faced the possibility of being put to sleep. He was just a young kitten. By New Year’s, Rafiki was rapidly declining. He didn’t behave like a normal kitten—he was inappetent, losing weight, and his appearance was disheveled. All he wanted to do was sleep.

In early January 2022, Rafiki was admitted to his local vet, where his condition continued to worsen. He developed neurological signs, such as flinching across his back and vibrations in his head and ears. Once again, he faced the prospect of being put to sleep. Overnight, Rafiki became paralyzed from the neck down. His owners transferred him to the Glasgow University Small Animal Hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU. An MRI scan confirmed FIP.

Rafiki received three days of Remdesivir via IV in the ICU. He then wobbly walked out onto the neurology ward, where he completed a total of 14 days in the hospital on Remdesivir. Rafiki was one of the first to be sent home on GS-441524 pills, which he took for his 84-day treatment period. By week six, Rafiki’s blood work was normal, and he was walking normally. He had no lasting issues or evidence of having been so critically ill.

Rafiki is now more than three years old, and it will soon be three years since his battle with FIP began. His story of survival has inspired others to show FIP where to go. FIP Cats UK was established because of his bravery and fight to live. Rafiki’s family is forever grateful to Millie’s owner for helping them believe he could survive.

Ziggy was diagnosed around Christmas time of 2021 with dry FIP. His first visible symptom was seen in his eye as a red blob. Lethargy and low mood etc. soon followed this. Ziggy underwent 2 weeks of injections and the rest of the 84 day course on oral. Treatment ended around March 2022, so he is now about 2.5 years into remission with no reoccurring symptoms. You would have never known he was so unwell. Ziggy has only known a happy, healthy and loving life up until this point. The FIP journey and treatment was tolling both emotionally and financially, but it is so worth it seeing him alive and well years later. If you have the capacity to treat your cat’s FIP, then absolutely do it as it does work if caught early enough.

Ophelia (Fee) became very ill in February 2022. From a playful, noisy and boisterous young cat to a shadow of her former self in a matter of days. She was lethargic, no appetite, no speaking, a fluctuating temperature and swollen lymph nodes. She had lost a kg in two weeks. Her owner was referred to a specialist hospital where the vet concluded that indeed Fee was suffering from FIP, and that there was very little they could do. Thankfully, her owner had been sent an article from the founder of FIP Cats UK, herself also an owner of an FIP cat, referencing a new treatment called GS-441524. This was duly shown to the vet, who did not realise a legal treatment was available in the UK, and that in fact, they had in stock. Needless to say, GS was prescribed. Within 24 hours, she was a different cat. It took her about a week to get her appetite back, but after anti-nausea medication, she ate two sachets of food. She is given PI (Polyprenyl Immunostimulant) on occasion to boost her immune system, and two and a half years from diagnosis, she is living her best life, thanks to that life saving article.

Pancake was diagnosed with wet FIP on 14th December 2021, where he was only 5 1/2 months old. Days before his diagnosis he showed signs of fatigue, high temperature, lack of personality & bloated abdominal. Pancake’s blood results pointed massively towards FIP and a sample of his fluid from his abdominal tested positive for FCoV. Upon the quick diagnosis (thankfully), Pancake started with 17 days of Bova Remdesivir injections, then swiftly moved onto the rest of the course taking Bova GS-441524 tablets. I noticed many positive changes in the first few days. He was getting his personality back, his abdominal returned to normal size and most importantly, he returned back to a crazy kitten. This continued throughout his treatment journey, and through the observation period. Fast forward to today, he’s the most amazing, crazy and loving cat. I’m so thankful this medication saved Pancake!

Leo, British Long Hair Cross, born 23 May 2021 My bundle of fluff. Leo lost his mojo April 22. He became miserable and sat in the garden facing the wall. Once at the vets they kept him in for 5 days stating either cancer or Fip. Dr Emma Jarrett, suggested it might be FIP. The prescribed tablets were very expensive at this time, but I persevered and paid the £60 per tablet. Leo picked up after a week, so I continued with the 84 day treatment , weekly vet visits and numerous blood tests. Leo thrived, and became his chilled, cheeky self again. There is now hope for FIP cats and treatment can work. FIPCATSUK have been a blessing, especially in the early days. I always used the resources and valued their help. Leo owes his life to them.

We rescued Chakotay alongside his mum in March 2022, but after a couple of months, we noticed something wasn’t right.

On 30th June 2022, we took Chakotay to the vet due to an unusually large stomach, abnormal feces, and a fluctuating appetite. After an ultrasound scan revealed fluid in his abdomen, he was suspected to have FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis).

Chakotay’s vet immediately began researching possible treatments. Although we were informed that FIP is typically fatal, our vet did everything she could.

Later that day, she told us about a new treatment option: Remdesivir and GS-441524. However, she couldn’t be 100% certain of its effectiveness, as it was still a relatively new medication.

Without hesitation, we decided to try it, and what an amazing decision that was! Within a few weeks, Chakotay lost all the fluid in his abdomen. After a month, he became the lively kitten he should have been from the start, and soon after, he was bouncing off the walls like a typical kitten. His appetite normalized, and he became the brightest, most energetic version of himself!

We are now two years post-FIP treatment, and Chakotay is happier and healthier than ever! We will be forever grateful for all the support and advice we received from FIP Cats UK throughout Chakotay’s diagnosis and treatment, allowing us to enjoy many more years with him. ♡

On the 30th August 2022 Persie went to the vets, he was not himself quite lethargic and not eating. He had a high temperature and the vet thought probably picked up a virus from the Cattery he had been at for 2 nights (I had had to go to a funeral, and thought it was an opportunity to try out in case of future need – big mistake). He was just over 4 months old. The vet sent him home with metacam and to observe him. At first he seemed to improve but within a couple of days he was a lot worse. Straight back to the vet, who kept him in for bloods and an X-ray as there were concerns about his breathing which was very rapid and he had an extremely high temperature. Within the hour I had a phone call to say he had suspected FIP with fluid in his chest cavity, would I be able to take him to Bristol University Veterinary Hospital. Of course I would. Fortunately I was able to get a friend to drive me whilst I sat with Persie, I was so worried I was going to lose him. The staff at Bristol were amazing when I said my name it was clear they were expecting me. Within seconds he was wisked away and I was sent to the cat waiting area. After only 10 minutes the vet appeared to speak to me. She was able to confirm that it was Wet FIP and she had already drained his chest of a significant amount of fluid. He was now breathing easier, but he wasn’t out of the woods yet and the fluid may return. He remained at the hospital for a week firstly on intravenous Remdesivir and then onto the tablets. In the meantime I looked up FIP and all I could find to start with was it was fatal and most cats don’t survive it or have to be put to sleep. To add to that there was a massive black market racquet in tablets going on. I’m so grateful I found the genuine FIP advisor in FIP Cats UK. What a relief to know that cats could now survive, although the medication was all still relatively new and not all vets were on board. Fortunately mine were. The cost of the tablets at this time was astronomical, thank goodness he was insured. Anyway the hospital was brilliant and I received daily updates and some great photos, which was really reassuring. Persie continued to make great progress and fortunately, and quite bizarrely, he never had any problems having his daily dose of Rem!! He just ate it His bloods all improved to a level that was satisfactory and he came off the tablets. He has gone from strength to strength. He does have his annual jabs as he is an outdoor boy, but my vets are really good and well aware of his immune response. He’s a week late this time due to a mild case of conjunctivitis, drops 4 x a day, which he’s not too impressed with but it’s cleared up. His breathing is still at the top end of the acceptable scale and I do still find myself watching his breathing when he’s asleep on the sofa or my bed or his dog sister’s bed or the spare bed!! I still hand feed him his tuna at every meal and woe betide me if I don’t get up at 5.30am for his breakfast!! Then everything on my dressing table is systematically pushed off onto the floor Spoilt absolutely and I wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s a healthy 7.3kgs (he’s a Maine Coon) taller and now heavier than his dog sister. FIP Cats UK is an awesome Charity – it is just amazing, so very helpful and encouraging in those early dark days when I thought I might lose him. I will be forever grateful for that support. Persie is living his best life.

In February 2023, Diego was diagnosed with FIP, just one month after he had been neutered. His initial vet was uncertain about the best course of treatment, leaving us worried and searching for help. Thankfully, FIPCATSUK guided us to the London Cat Clinic, where the amazing staff monitored Diego around the clock and ultimately saved his life. Diego was initially diagnosed with wet FIP, However, just a few days into his treatment, we noticed that one of his eyes had changed color. He had developed ocular FIP, This required an increase of his dosage. Diego underwent 84 days of treatment, and by the end of it, he was back to his happy, healthy self. It has now been over a year since his recovery, and he remains clear of FIP. Today, Diego is living his best life as a spoilt and cherished member of our family

Eddie started showing signs of illness in Dec 2022 at 9 months old, around 3 weeks after his neuter. He was slowly going off food and being unusually quiet and sleepy. The vet initially thought he had injured himself due to his daredevil antics as he showed signs of back pain during a physical examination, but as painkillers did nothing to help and he appeared to be getting worse he went back for further tests. They found he had a fever and a blood test showed markers indicating FIP. Vets also did a scan which showed fluid in his abdomen and strengthened their suspicion of wet FIP. A sample of fluid was taken on Dec 19th to be sent off for an FIP profile and we were sent home to await results over Christmas. Thankfully I found FIP Cats UK who gave me all the info I needed about the treatment as my vets had never used it before, and helped me persuade our vet to order medication the next day rather than wait the 2 weeks for the test result. At this point Eddie had barely eaten for a week and became so weak he had to be hospitalised while waiting for his treatment to arrive. He had his first tablet on Dec 22nd and was allowed home that evening. He seemed much brighter almost immediately and by the 25th he was eating again. Within a few weeks he appeared to be back to his normal energetic self. Eddie’s first blood test during treatment proved it was working, however his ALT was at a massive 329 despite being on Denamarin to support his liver from the start. Following advice from FIP Cats UK we switched to Hepatinorm and 2 weeks later it was back down to 80. With the help of supplements and the continued support from FIP Cats UK Eddie flew through the rest of his treatment and observation. He is now fast approaching 2 years since diagnosis and has more energy than ever. He’s back to being cheeky and playful, and very spoilt. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped to save his life!