FIP Testimonial – Ontario

“Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) has historically been a 100% fatal disease with no known treatment, and, notoriously difficult to diagnose. In 2019 Dr. Niels Pedersen published a study showing a remarkable success rate (~85%) using a nucleoside analogue antiviral medication, known as GS-441524. Following this study the drug became readily available on the black market, along with a high price point and unreliable supply. Over the years that followed, various countries progressively permitted compounding pharmacies to make this medication available. 

 

In Canada, the medication first became legally available for veterinary use in 2024 via a lengthy and complicated process that involved ordering the medication from BOVA, a compounder in the UK. They have been offering GS 441524 for feline patients since 2021.

 

Now, we currently have 3 Canadian compounding pharmacies providing a reliable and safe supply for compounded GS 441524. Clearpoint, Trutina, and Summit compounding pharmacies all now offer an oral form of the medication.

 

I have been personally treating FIP patients for many years and have seen, firsthand, the remarkable efficacy of this medication. Response to treatment is typically rapid (often just a few days or few doses) and often one of the fastest, safest, and most cost effective ways to achieve both a diagnosis, via response to treatment, as well as preventing further decline while additional diagnostics are considered.

 

FIP is a particularly challenging disease as patient presentation, history, and clinical signs can vary widely between cases. The majority are young, under 2-3 years of age, but this disease does affect senior patients as well. Cases have been discovered in patients as little as a few weeks old and others well into their late senior years. 

 

While many laboratory findings can be suggestive of FIP, achieving a true definitive diagnosis is often challenging, particularly with a rapidly declining patient. Some common laboratory findings on blood work are anemia, elevated globulins, decreased albumin:globulin ratio. Cases of wet FIP will usually have a yellow/straw coloured abdominal fluid present. Dry FIP cases may have mass like lesions observed in the abdomen (often mistaken for cancer) or enlarged lymph nodes. Ocular cases may display uveitis or change in the colour of the iris. Neurological cases may demonstrate incoordination, urinary or fecal incontinence. Weight loss, inappetence, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea are frequently observed. Many cases will present with multiple body systems involved. This is a small example of the variations that can be seen between cases and one of the many reasons I support diagnostic treatment trials using GS 441524 if FIP is high on the differential list.

 

I hope with increasing availability and awareness more of these unfortunate cases will be treated sooner, saving more lives.”

 

– Dr. Mathew Best, Chedoke Animal Hospital, Ancaster, Ontario