FAQ Group: Basic Questions

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal infectious disease of cats. There are two basic forms - wet (effusive) and dry (non-effusive). FIP can also affect the eyes and central nervous system. In this case, we are talking about the ocular or neurological form of FIP. You can find more info practically on this whole portal, as it is entirely dedicated to FIP and its treatment.

No. The coronavirus is highly contagious and most cats will be exposed to it at some point during their life. FCoV is shed through feces, so cats who share a litter box or groom one another are exposed to the benign form of the virus. Cats who have a healthy immune system will pass the coronavirus with little to no issue other than a bout of diarrhea and/or cold-like symptoms.

Cats who have a weakened or not fully developed immune system may not be able to pass the coronavirus, and the virus mutates into FIP. Once mutated into FIP, the virus is no longer contagious.

There is believed to be a genetic component with FIP, so biological litter mates may share the same genetic predisposition that allows FCoV to mutate. A family history of FIP does unfortunately increase the likelihood that siblings will develop FIP.

There is no unambiguous test that definitely confirms the diagnosis of FIP. Diagnosis is usually the result of a combination of clinical signs, blood tests, titer results, the presence of fluid in the abdominal or thoracic cavity, and other specific tests. Check page of FIP diagnostics .

GS-441524 (abbreviated GS) is an experimental antiviral drug (nucleoside analog) used during field trial led by Dr. Niels Pedersen at UC Davis in 2017.

The drug exists in injectable and oral form under the names of various brands.

Treatment lasts 12 weeks. Of course, tablets have a bit of a disadvantage in dosing accuracy, as it is very difficult to break a tablet into smaller parts than quarters, so the real price will be a bit higher. You never have to buy medicines for the entire treatment at once.

But in general it can be said that medicines per day they will cost approx 35 – 125 CZK (1.4 – 5 Є) on the 1 day and 1 kg live weight of the cat. The large price variance is related to different forms and brands of drugs and especially to the type of FIP, on which the dosage depends.

Recommended duration of treatment based on the original clinical study of Dr. Pedersen lasts for at least 12 weeks of subcutaneous injections.

After twelve weeks, blood testing is recommended and the clinical status of the cat should be assessed to determine whether treatment should be continued.