ArcaMax

Q: My 6-month-old kitten is suffering from the wet form of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). In an effort to ease Ashley's pain, my veterinarian removed fluid from her chest and gave us an antibiotic for her. After five days, Ashley's breathing became labored again, and the veterinarian said, "there's no hope." Once again, he took out some fluid and gave Ashley a steroid. Is there any way to cure my baby? -- M.M., Malaysia

A: To directly answer your question, Dr. Niels Pederson, professor emeritus at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis -- who's pretty much responsible for most of the knowledge we have today about FIP -- says, "I'm sad to tell you there is no good answer. Keep in mind, you don't want your kitten to suffer."

Sometimes FIP is misdiagnosed, but assuming your veterinarian has it right, and though much has been discovered in recent years about this insidious disease, it's still considered fatal.

"While draining the fluid in the chest can improve your cat's breathing, helping her to feel more comfortable, this approach may actually cause further problems," Pedersen says. Within a day or two, the fluid will return, which makes the cat's system work harder to replace the depleting protein. There's no good answer here. A steroid can help your cat to feel better, which is fine. But at some point, if it is wet FIP, your cat will suddenly go downhill."

FIP is a caused by a mutation of the otherwise benign corona virus. The corona virus can make cats feel lousy, may cause tummy upset and/or a slight fever, but usually dissipates quickly on its own. However, sometimes, for unknown reasons, the benign corona virus transforms inside the cat into the autoimmune disease called FIP.

There really is no cure for FIP, per se. Drug ideas are frequently bandied about. The latest flavor of the month is called Feline Interferon Omega (FIO), which is in very limited use, but which Pedersen doesn't support. He adds, however, that research may find a drug to eventually work in tandem with FIO for dry FIP only. Other researchers differ and support FIO's use to help some cats with FIP. No matter, the drug is expensive and hard to obtain.

A drug call polyprenyl immunostimulant may help prolong life in some cats with the dry form of FIP, but is useless for those with wet FIP, like Ashley.

The Winn Feline Foundation Bria Fund, now celebrating 10 years, continues to raise money to fund further FIP studies. Pedersen is now investigating a class of anti-viral drugs (called Protease inhibitors), and he's optimistic, though time will tell.

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