FIP Advocates and Champions
Ending Treatment
FIP Advocates and Champions Canada is a group dedicated to providing help, support and hope for those facing this diagnosis. Though once a completely fatal disease, there is now a treatment and cure! We have all gone through this experience with our own kitties and been able to cure them with what many veterinarians are now calling "a miracle."
Partnered closely with veterinarians, experienced treatment advisors worldwide and pet parents, we are committed to connecting parents with safe and affordable treatment options, advocating for the cats and their parents and helping advance knowledge about FIP and its treatment.
Observation Period
Ending Treatment Criteria
The majority of FIP cats are treated for 84 days and then can move into the observation period. But for various reasons some cats need an extension of treatment and dosage increase.
For ending treatment we look at certain criteria such as if the kitty has gained enough weight, if their clinical symptoms have resolved and if their blood work is normal.
If an extension is necessary then dosage should be increased as well. This is usually for a minimum of 2-4 weeks.
If drug resistance is suspected (this can happen occasionally) then it is wise to consider switching to or adding another antiviral such as GC 376 or Molnupiravir.
Ending Treatment Criteria for FIP
Blood Work Indicators
It is important to have a CBC and Chemistry panel run at the end of treatment. We look for the FIP markers to have resolved such as anemia, neutrophils, lymphocytes at 30% or higher, bilirubin resolved, the globulin and albumin back in normal range and at A/G ratio of 0.7 or higher.
Clinical Evaluation
Clinically the cat should be bright, energetic and have a good appetite. They also should have gained weight – ideally at least 1 kg through treatment.
We also want to see that neurological and ocular symptoms have resolved. Occasionally some permanent damage can occur so if this is suspected that will need to be taken into consideration.
Observation Period FAQs
A relapse typically manifests with symptoms such as lethargy, fever and lack of appetite. Fluid may develop in the abdomen or chest. You may also notice neurological symptoms.
Every 4-6 weeks is recommended.
After the treatment and observation period is completed successfully your cat is considered officially cured!
There have been rare cases of cats with recurring FIP after observation has ended. Some may be a slow relapse where the virus was suppressed instead of fully killed. And others are reinfections. This however is very uncommon and pretty much the equivalent of being struck by lighting twice.
If your cat’s clinical symptoms have resolved and blood work is looking good it best to have a spay/neuter done around week 9 or 10 of treatment. The cat should have at least 2-3 weeks of treatment after the surgery.
It is not recommended to have any non emergent surgeries done during observation if possible. The observation period is to confirm if treatment has been successful or not so the surgery would not actually cause a relapse. However, it could complicate symptoms that could confuse identifying a relapse. The less stress the better.
If a treatment extension is necessary there is extension coverage (typically 50%). Please be sure to ask your treatment advisor about this.
Most brands of GS have relapse coverage. Some have 100% coverage and others 50%.
If kitty relapses then with 100% coverage the meds would be completely free for a re-treatment. Keep in mind that with a relapse the dosage must be increased so having free medication makes a big difference.
With 50% coverage the supplier will cover half of the meds for another treatment.
Testimonials
Treatment Stories
Here are a few treatment stories from parents in our Facebook group sharing their experiences with their cats who have undergone FIP treatment, and come out on the other side.
This is Tiki. She’s in the observation phase and is doing great. She was diagnosed with Ocular FIP in December. The gals from this group were fantastic in answering questions and provided me with the help I needed to help Tiki recover! She was not an easy patient and it was very hard for her to take injections but we persevered and she’s living a full life with her kitty friends. I’m optimistic she will be graduating in a couple months 😀
Yesterday Oliver got his graduation cap! Six months ago he was diagnosed with dry FIP. With the help and support of the admin team, my boy will now see his 6th birthday this august 🥰🥰
I cannot believe it’s been 2 years since we first started treatment on Roxy and and Dan (yes I had the unfortunate news to have not one but two cats diagnosed with FIP different forms two months apart). With the help of Krista and the FIP community we are not almost two years cured. Roxy had relapsed briefly and completed 120 days and Dan completed 84 days. Not a single health incident since. My love, my gratitude is endless for all of you. Without your constant guidance and support I would have given up. 2 years 🥳🥳🥳🥳 of living their best life.
