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I finally found the one major positive pet story to come out of Covid. And it could have a massive impact on the health of your cat. Prepare to feel good about the world…
Aside from extra time at home with the furry family, it’s often hard to find good news amongst the daily pandemic news cycle. But it turns out the mountains of research into coronavirus treatments has had a profound effect on the lives of our cats.
For as long as we’ve known about it, the disease known as FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) has been a much dreaded death sentence. Cats often contract the virus as kittens where it causes only mild signs; until it mutates into the deadly form. As vets, we can manage the signs and make cats comfortable but eventually quite young and otherwise happy cats inevitably pass away from the crippling effects of swelling and inflammation in the lining of the abdomen.
But here’s the thing. FIP just happens to be a coronavirus. A coronavirus we can’t catch. So when a drug called remdesivir was developed to become part of the treatment plan for human Covid-19 patients, its effectiveness against this virus that had caused so much sadness in the cat world was also tested. What happened next was remarkable. It cured the virus in 80% of FIP affected cats. Incredible.
The drug isn’t cheap and due to its demand in the human world, supply is a challenge with daily injections required. But with time more generics are appearing and more little faces like these are benefitting and having their lives saved.
I just love that finally, after supporting us through the last 18 months so perfectly, we’ve found a way to pay them back for the love, affection and endless entertainment…
