...devoted to the stray cats and kittens on the streets of, West Michigan.

 

We specialize in F.I.P. treatments, abandoned neonatal kittens, pregnant and nursing queens, CH cats, and other special medical need kitties. We also work with a lot of hoarding/overpopulated stray/feral situations!

 

Kittens In The Mitten, Inc.

 

The only way we can fulfill our mission is with your donations to help fund medical treatment and care for stray/ sick/ needy cats.
Kittens In The Mitten Inc is a 501c3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible in accordance with State and Federal tax laws. 

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Feline Infectious Peritonitis

(F.I.P.)

 

Around 5 years ago, this disease had a

 

100% mortality rate

 

 Which means not one kitten or cat could or would survive F.I.P.

 

Today, that is all beginning to finally change! However, there are many things that still need to change in order for us to be able to really have an impact on cats diagnosed with F.I.P.!

 

WHAT IS F.I.P.?

 

Good question!

 

According to Cornell University College of Veternary Medicine,

more specifically Cornell Feline Health Center, and Dr. Niels C Pedersen, BS; DVM; PhD.

 

"Feline Infectious Peritonitis, better known as F.I.P., is a viral disease of cats caused by certain strains of a virus called the feline coronavirus."

 

(Sound Familiar?  IT SHOULD!)

 

 

"Most strains of feline coronavirus are found in the gastrointestinal tract and do not cause significant disease. These are referred to as feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV).

 

Cats infected with FeCV usually do not show any symptoms during the initial viral infection, but may occasionally experience brief bouts of diarrhea and/or mild upper respiratory signs from which they recover spontaneously.

 

FeCV-infected cats usually mount an immune response through which antibodies against the virus are produced within 7-10 days of infection.

 

In approximately 10 percent of cats infected with FeCV, one or more mutations of the virus can alter its biological behavior, resulting in white blood cells becoming infected with virus and spreading it throughout the cat’s body.

 

When this occurs, the virus is referred to as the FIPV.

 

An intense inflammatory reaction to FIPV occurs around vessels in the tissues where these infected cells locate, often in the abdomen, kidney, or brain."

(If it is in the abdomen, usually you will see what looks like bloating!)

 

It is this interaction between the body’s own immune system and the virus that is responsible for the development of FIP. Once a cat develops clinical FIP, the disease is usually progressive and almost always fatal without therapy that has recently become available, but that has yet to be approved to treat FIP in cats by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

To our knowledge, coronaviruses cannot be passed from infected cats to humans."

 

 

 

 

 

IS THERE TREATMENT FOR F.I.P.?

 

Yes.

And no.

It depends on what you are willing to do to save your pet!

 

 

 

 

What is the problem? 

 

A treatment for F.I.P. has been found, and studies have shown success! HOWEVER, it is not approved by the FDA yet which means obtaining medicine is not an easy task.

 

BUT... IT IS IF YOU KNOW THE RIGHT PEOPLE!

 

WHO ARE THE RIGHT PEOPLE?

 

CLICK HERE to find out!

 

You may also visit fipwarriors.com for more information!

 

 

 

 

 

WHY IS THE TREATMENT NOT FDA APPROVED? 

 

That may be the best question you have asked yet! It is also the most complicated question to answer.

 

Here is what we have gathered:

 

Gilead Science, or GS Pharmaceuticals created two different drugs related to coronavirus;

 

Remdesivir and GS441524.

 

Studies regarding Remdesivir and humans with covid-19 saw significant potential at the time, which cause GS Pharmaceuticals to focus more attention on studies related to Remdesivir. 

 

Studies done with GS441524 saw virtually no potential for use with humans, however, it did show significant succees with cats who had F.I.P.

 

Unfortunately, studies related to GS441524 were put on hold while GS Pharmaceuticals used that time and energy studying Remdesivir and pushing it for FDA approval.

 

Until the FDA approves the drug, the drug is not sold in the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

IS GS441524 EXPENSIVE?

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

HOW MUCH IS IT?

 

Way more than it should be.

 

The cost varies, depending on who you know and who they know.

 

There are also 2 options available, liquid vials or pills. The pills are typically more expensive, but it really does depend on a lot of factors!

 

The size of your cat, how aggressive the treatment will be, and which person you are working with all factor in to the total cost, among other things!

 

 

 

 

CAN I SEE THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY?

 

Absolutely. We have made it available to download as a .pdf.

 

To download it, click here!

 

 

 

DO YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION?

 

Yes, we have a ton of information, and below you will find a list of links to provide much of that information to you so you can learn as much as possible about F.I.P.!

 

 

 

Click or tap on any of these links to learn more!

 

 

Cornell Feline Health Center - Feline Infectious Peritonitis 

 

 

WemMD (Fetch) - 

Cat FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

 

 

 

Wikipedia - Feline Infextious Peritonitis