Posts in FIP
A MONUMENTAL TIME IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST FIP by Dr. Niels Pedersen DVM, Professor Emeritus University of California, Davis

This last year has been a milestone in our fight against FIP. We extended our landmark studies of 2018 when we published on a collaborative study with colleagues at Kansas State University on a drug called GC376. This was the first drug to successfully cure cats of FIP. In this last year, we reported on a second antiviral drug and its safety and efficacy for the treatment of cats with naturally occurring FIP. This study, which was reported in the April issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, involved a small molecule viral RNA inhibitor called GS-441524. GS-441524 was developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc as part of their research into human RNA virus disease such as Ebola. We initiated this collaboration several years ago with great optimism. Over two years of laboratory work led us to the point of conducting a field trial with owned cats suffering from FIP. This initial field trial did not accept cats with definite neurological involvement based on the difficulty in treating such cats with GC376. GS-441524 proved to be even more potent against FIP and provided hints that even neurological FIP was treatable. Subsequent, and yet to be published, trials with GS-441524 on 4 cats with severe neurological and/or ocular disease have shown GS to be also effective in these most difficult cases if the drug is given at a high enough dosage.

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Inappropriate Use of GS-441524 in an Attempt to Eliminate Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV) from healthy cats

Mutian, the first Chinese company to sell GS-441524 on the unapproved market, has recently advertised that the use of its oral formulation for one (or more?) day will stop feline coronavirus (i.e., FECV) fecal shedding by healthy cats. Certain veterinary researchers are also advocating such an approach. The rationale is to prevent the appearance of FIP-causing mutant virus (FIPV) and thus prevent FIP. Although this approach is attractive at first consideration, it is a greatly misguided use of GS-441524 in cats. Up to this time, GS-441524 has only been recommended for the treatment of cats suffering from FIP. The problems with this approach are many.

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FIP New Drug Trial: Two Weeks Off Meds and Holding Strong (2017)

Today marks the end of week two when Luna has been off the FIP antiviral trial drug. Luna will turn seven months old on August 9th. She is gaining weight every day thanks to her improved appetite. Her temperature has remained normal, and there is no sign of ascites in her abdomen. Her energy level is off the hook, and you would never know that she was at death's door just over three months ago.

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