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FIP diagnosis
There are a lot of myths and legends about the diagnosis. Fluid in the abdomen does not always automatically mean FIP. It is necessary to have really a good vet, which doesn't just diagnose FIP from the side and the table. FIP is most typical for young cats under 2 years of age. Therefore, pay attention to differential diagnoses.
Recommended examinations: Basic biochemistry, hematology, sono, electrophoresis of serum proteins, in case of dry FIP, possibly lymph node biopsy. For moist FIP, Rivalt's test.
In general, cats with FIP show the following general symptoms:
fevers unresponsive to ATB, loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice, deteriorated coat, anemia, apathy, ALB/GLB ratio < 0.5
In addition to these symptoms, there are specific symptoms for specific types of FIP
Wet FIP
- typical for kittens and young cats
- abdominal distention
- yellow/straw colored discharge
- the disease has a very fast course, from the first symptoms to death it can take only a few days or about 2 weeks.
Dry FIP
- typical for older cats
- enlarged lymph nodes
- granulomas in the liver or kidneys
- the disease has a slower course, which distinguishes it from wet FIP
- in the late phase, an effusion or neurological symptoms may appear
Ocular FIP
- bloody or cloudy eye
Neurological FIP
- pupils do not respond to light or are of unequal size
- neurological symptoms
More details:
FIP Treatment
WARNING
Consider well the acuteness of the cat's condition. If the cat collapses, breathes very hard or fast, seek the help of a veterinarian immediately!!!
FIP treatment lasts 12 weeks and consists of administering GS-441524 in injectable or tablet form. Determining the correct dosage for a particular type of FIP is key. In the case of tablets, it is also important to note that it is important to take into account the reduced absorption capacity during oral administration. Some manufacturers state the directly calculated equivalent content of GS, so that you can comfortably switch from injections to tablets and vice versa, other manufacturers can state the real content of GS for tablets, but you only have to calculate about 50% of the real content of GS when determining the dosage.
In no case do we recommend "guerrilla" treatment of FIP. It is important and desirable to draw information from more experienced people, from the group, group administrators, etc.
Comparison of advantages and disadvantages of injectable solutions and tablets.
Injections
Pros
- Price. Most of the injectables are significantly less than the oral form
- Precision in dosing. You can adjust the daily dose to the exact weight of the cat, whereas the oral form is dosed based on weight range.
- Medicine is not dependent on the digestive system and is fully absorbed into their blood stream, so they are guaranteed to be getting the maximum benefit of the GS.
- The field study was completed using injectable, so there is professionally curated data available.
Cons
- Injections sting and some cats do not tolerate the pain well.
- Injection site sores are likely going to happen, regardless of how carefully the shots are administered. In most cases, the sores will heal on their own with little to no need for intervention.
Pills
Pros
- Ease of administering. Many cats will take the capsules/tablets willingly if coated with a treat or given in a pill pocket.
- The oral forms are readily available at all times.
Cons
- Price. The oral form is considerably more expensive than injectable.
- The dose is not accurate. It adjusts in steps, depending on how you are ablet to split the tablet. The dose remains constant within a specific weight range.
- If the cat has gastrointestinal problems, absorption of the drugs is questionable at best. The cat may vomit the tablets or there may be a problem with absorption in the gut.
- Lack of data. There are no field studies for the oral form, so no confirmed data.
Base dosage of GS-441524:
| Wet FIP | Dry FIP | Ocular FIP | Neurological FIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 mg / kg | 8 mg / kg | 10 mg / kg | 12 mg / kg |
Approximate prices of treatment for 12 weeks:
| GS | Wet FIP | Dry FIP | Ocular FIP | Neurological FIP | Relapse | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Injections (CZK / kg) | 5,937 | 84 | 11.801 | ||||
| Injections (€ / kg) | 242 | 84 | 0.481 | ||||
| Tablets (CZK / kg) | 84 | 16.365 | |||||
| Tablets (€ / kg) | 84 | 0.667 |
More details:
Important principles during treatment of FIP
- The improvement of the health condition should occur within about 3 days from the start of the treatment. Often a significant improvement is visible after the first dose. If the cat does not improve, it is usually a sign that it is suffering from another disease at the same time as FIP, the dosage is insufficient, or even a misdiagnosis of FIP must be considered.
- Check the cat's blood and clinical condition regularly during treatment. Blood sampling and checks at the veterinarian are appropriate in the 4th, 8th, and 12th week of treatment. Do the last check in the 12th week so that you have all the results available on the day of the expected end of the treatment and based on them you decide to end the treatment.
- If you plan to neuter the cat and its clinical condition allows it, you can also consider neutering during treatment. Avoid neutering during the 12-week period after the end of treatment if possible, but if the cat is "unbearable", neutering is always a better option than a wild and unrestrained cat.
- Postpone the vaccination. The cat should not be vaccinated during the treatment and even in the post-treatment period.
- It is advisable to use hepatoprotectors during treatment.
- If it is necessary to deworm the cat, it is possible to use common deworming preparations.
- If it is necessary to de-flea a cat, prefer local means.
- If you notice any suspicious health problems in your cat during the treatment, do not hesitate to visit the vet. Cats with FIP can develop any other disease that needs to be addressed.
- In general, suitable immune support agents are not suitable during treatment. If necessary, consult with more experienced people about their use.
- Do not use lysine.
- The injection and tablet forms of the drugs can be changed during treatment.
Contact, statistics
Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fipczsk
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