February 2025 – UK FIP Cats’ Awareness Month – Week 2

ℹ️ https://shorturl.at/COdvM
🔴 November 2024 Vet FIP treatment protocol update:
"Duration of antiviral treatment - For most cats, an 84 day/12 week treatment course remains recommended. However, shorter courses of 4️⃣2️⃣ days at 1️⃣5️⃣mg/kg q24hrs (6️⃣ weeks) have been used successfully to treat cats with effusive FIP in a recent study (Zuzzi-Krebitz, AM, Buchta K et al, 2024). 
⚠️ Importantly, these cats almost all responded rapidly, with clinical (including effusion resolution), haematological and biochemical (including AGP) parameters returning to normal in most cats within 28 days.
This is not true of all cats with FIP and hence treatment duration should be decided on the basis of the cat's response. 
Shorter courses may be suitable if treated cats respond rapidly, with resolution of clinical signs (including effusions), normalisation of biochemistry abnormalities (and if available normalised serum AGP at 4 and 6 weeks). 
Cats should be closely monitored for relapse. AGP is not available in many countries and it may be that serum amyloid A (SAA) can be used similarly, but further studies are needed. 
Communication with owners should discuss that, currently, most published response rates and outcomes are for cats treated for 12 weeks."
"If stopping after 6 weeks (please see note on 'Duration of antiviral treatment' above (pg 2) regarding an earlier monitoring time point if the cat has effusive FIP, responds very quickly and a 6 week treatment course is being contemplated) the cat should be monitored for signs of relapse. Any illness should prompt veterinary examination and measuring of AGP (if available) after one month along with a physical examination may be useful. Caregivers can be encouraged to weigh the cat at home and monitor appetite and informed that relapse can take a different form to the original presentation."