Dry FIP and success rates of interferon and/or PI

Hi everyone,

My one-year old boy, Percy, was just diagnosed with dry FIP.  Has anyone had success with either interferon or PI and this horrible disease?

Thanks so much.

Samantha and Percy

sedonasam said:

Hi everyone,

My one-year old boy, Percy, was just diagnosed with dry FIP.  Has anyone had success with either interferon or PI and this horrible disease?

Thanks so much.

Samantha and Percy

Click to expand...

Hi Samantha!
I am curious - how was your cat diagnosed with dry FIP? Are you aware that there is no diagnose for FIP while the kitty is alive? Have you taken him for a second opinion? Of course there have been cats where the "diagnosis" was correct.... But there were also plenty of cats where the vet was out of answers and called it.... Percy is a kitten, and on the age bracket that it happens..... But if I ever had an FIP diagnosis, I would quickly look for a second opinion. Specially dry FIP. My 2 cents FWIW

Hi Carolina,

Thanks for your note.  Given his blood test results (and two different vets' analysis of those results), they're pretty sure that it's dry FIP.  

Samantha

My kitten Gaudi had FIP, too.

If the blood tests point to an agressive process involving liver failure, tell-tale abnormalities in immunoglobulin levels and with severe anaemia, FIP is the most common cause, and the most likely diagnosis. It can never be 100% sure, though. But if FIV and FeLV are negative, FIP is the obvious differential diagnosis. Certain combinations of test results are pretty conclusive.

By the time there is a reason to search for a diagnosis in a kitten (lethargy, weight loss, yellow discoloration of inside ears, pale gums etc) and the blood tests prove impaired liverfunction, anaemia and abnormal immunoglobulin counts, there is usually little you can do.

In the case of a kitten ( and in many adult cats), dry FIP only means it hasn't reached the stage of wet FIP yet. There are some adult cats where FIP will become chronic (dry FIP) and , slowly but steadily, the organs will shut down one by one. In these cases, interferon may do some good, if it is caught at an early stage. But in a kitten it is a death sentence, really. It will turn into wet FIP within weeks, I think. 

Gaudi was 10 months, and he lasted only 1 week after diagnosis. The ascites fluid became apparent 3 or 4 days post diagnosis.

When the fluid starts building up, it is a matter of days.

In an adult cat with very early signs, I'd say you might stand a chance, but I don't think interferon will do much good in these acute cases. It is worth a try if you are set on attempting to perform a miracle, but don't get your hopes up. And if you see he is really suffering, it is better to let him go than to prolong it.....

I know someone who also had a cat with blood teste that pointed to FIP, and they tried everything to treat her, as they weren't sure if it was indeed FIP. She was given anti viral medication and interferon, and she lasted nearly 2 months post diagnosis, which is LONG for a young cat with FIP symptoms. But she pick up a little, and lived to give and receive more TLC. Her quality of life during the first 3 or 4 weeks of treatment did improve, even though, in the end, didn't make it.

sedonasam said:

My one-year old boy, Percy, was just diagnosed with dry FIP.  Has anyone had success with either interferon or PI and this horrible disease?

Click to expand...

sedonasam, you had posted this question in another (old) thread not long ago. I replied to you there http://www.thecatsite.com/t/133196/interferon-for-fip-whats-the-success-rate#post_3261505

Now, you acknowledged my reply.........but, I'm wondering whether/not you've considered posing your question to the people in those specialized online groups. I do not want to discourage you from asking here at TCS...I do know (from my personal experience with another specialized Yahoo group) that the collective experience that exists within those groups is second to none, and far exceeds the knowledge and experience of most peoples' individual Veterinarians. These people are also on top of the latest treatments, and often are in-the-know about things like new drug/treatment trials, etc.

I also know that that's where I'd be if one of my cats was suspected to have FIP.

One more thing: I was hesitant when I first "joined" my group, hesitant to post. So, I simply read other peoples' posts and stories, treatment questions and replies, etc. I found it an absolutely amazing learning experience...I was getting the "real" goods, and not just the (usual) probabilities offered by Vets.

And, a final point: several years ago, I lost a cat to one of these chronic diseases. It was only later that I discovered there had been one of these groups available...to this day, it's very hard living with not knowing what might have happened had I been able to get some guidance from others more experienced than I with that horrible disease....living with regrets is difficult.

Anyways, don't stop participating here! Just relating some personal experience......

Originally Posted by sedonasam  

 Has anyone had success with either interferon or PI and this horrible disease?

Click to expand...

Hi Samantha,

Check out this article if you haven't already seen it: http://www.catchannel.com/catalyst/new-cat-fip-treatment.aspx

All the best to you and Percy.

Thank you!!

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me twice.  I haven't quite worked all of the groups out yet.  

Thanks!

Thank you for your honest reply.  

Hi Samantha,

My heart really goes out to you and Percy.  I'm not sure about success rates for interferon and/or PI, but just wanted to refer you to this site.  Dr. Addie is one of the world's foremost researchers and clinicians on FIP.  She specializes in studying and treating FIP, and has a section on her site on treatments:

http://www.dr-addie.com/treatment.htm

Hope this is of some help, I wish you and Percy all the best.

I must say I do not quite agree with some of Dr Addie's description of FIP.

The FIP virus is a mutation of the coronoa virus that occurs inside the corona-infected cat. The mutated FIP virus is lethal but not contageous (except by direct transmission from mother to unborn or nursing kittens), whereas the original, harmless, coronavirus is extremely contageous. Approx. 80% of all domestic cats that have ever been in contact with outdoor cats, strays or ferals are carriers of the corona virus, whereas only about 1% actually develop FIP.

Mutation into FIP is most likely to occur in kittens and young adult - but not quite fullgrown - cats,  and in geriatric cats, or following extreme stress or severe illness, i.e. in all situations where the immune system is struggling.