Nonprofit shelter collaborates on lifesaving FIP treatment

Before and after FIP treatment

Photos courtesy of Austin Pets Alive!

Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), a nonprofit animal shelter and rescue organization in Austin, Texas, has been researching innovative treatment methods for cats infected with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), in collaboration with the University of Florida (UF) Shelter Medicine program in Gainesville. Until this year, there were no publicly available treatments for FIP, a disease which has long been considered one of the most fatal and untreatable diseases in cats, especially in shelters.¹

APA! hosts one of the largest adoption programs for cats with feline leukemia virus (FeLV). As part of their collaboration with the UF research team, they compared the response to FIP treatment in shelter cats with and without FeLV co-infection.^1,2 Previously, FeLV-positive cats were considered untreatable for FIP. However, to date, APA! has already treated more than 250 cats, most of which are also FeLV-positive. The shelter has seen 75% of cats survive the 6-month treatment and observation period, and FeLV co-infection does not appear to affect treatment response rates.²

“We are incredibly proud of the role APA! has played in bringing this treatment to fruition,” Alexis Bardzinski, DVM, medical director at APA!, said in a news release.¹ “Our mission has always been to save as many lives as possible, especially the most vulnerable populations of pets. This breakthrough treatment is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in the field of animal welfare.”

FIP, a viral and often deadly disease, is a feline coronavirus (FCoV) variant, found worldwide in both domestic and wild cats. FIP occurs when FCoV, commonly found in the feline gastrointestinal tract, undergoes genetic mutations causing it to impact cells of the immune system, rather than just intestinal cells. Although 50% to 90% of cats test positive for FCoV-specific antibodies, less than 5% of FCoV-infected cats develop FIP.³

Historically, prognosis for FIP is poor. Up to 95% of cats diagnosed with FIP die without treatment.³ Clinical signs vary depending on which organs are involved. However, the most common clinical signs are lethargy, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, inappetence, weight loss, and deteriorating hair coat.³

FIP disease generally presents as either effusive or non-effusive, commonly referred to as wet or dry forms, respectively.⁴ The wet form is more common, accounting for approximately 80% of cases.³ In the wet form, excess fluid is produced in the abdomen and/or chest of the infected cat. In the dry form, inflammatory cells accumulate in various organs, including the liver, kidneys, eyes, and brain.⁴ Characteristics of both the wet and dry forms are usually present, to some extent, in all cases.⁴

Cats shed particles of the virus in feces, and fecal-oral transmission is common, making litter boxes an important source of infection. It’s also commonly transmitted through saliva, and therefore through mutual grooming, sharing a food bowl, sneezing, and general close contact. These factors increase the likelihood of infection in multiple-cat households and high-density facilities, like shelters. FIP most commonly affects cats under 3 years old. Pure bred cats, geriatric cats, and male cats are all more prone the development of the disease.³

Veterinarians in the United States gained access to an oral treatment for FIP in June 2024, when compounded GS-441524 was made available to both veterinary offices and individual patients by Stokes Pharmacy.⁵ Last month, Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, joined Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, on The Vet Blast Podcast, presented by dvm360, to discuss this therapy and other advancements in the treatment of FIP.⁶

APA! has been treating shelter cats for FIP since 2019.² Being proactive about stress management, making use of foster care, and swiftly moving cats out of shelters and into adoptive homes are steps that APA! encourages other shelters to take to make a difference in FIP treatment.²

References

1. Austin Pets Alive! Collaborates on Life-Saving Treatment and Research For FIP Cats. News release. Austin Pets Alive! September 4, 2024. Accessed September 4, 2024.
2. Saving Shelter Cats with FIP: Innovative Treatment Strategies. University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Shelter Medicine Program. July 8, 2024. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/2024/07/08/saving-shelter-cats-with-fip/
3. Young A. Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) and Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). University of California Davis Veterinary Medicine. November 2, 2022. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/feline-coronavirus-fcov-and-feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip
4. Levy J., Hutsell S. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Merck Manual Veterinary Manual. August 2018. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/disorders-affecting-multiple-body-systems-of-cats/feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip
5. McCafferty C. Compounded oral FIP treatment is now available. dvm360. June 14, 2024. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/compounded-oral-fip-treatment-is-now-available
6. McCafferty C. Updates in treating FIP. dvm360. August 28, 2024. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/updates-in-treating-fip