(click and swipe to read the entire story. Video at the end!)
In early April of this year, we learned that Howl was sick with FIP (of all the awful “jokes”, he literally had *cat coronavirus*). Up until very recently (2019), FIP - or Feline Infectious Peritonitus - was a death sentence. Our first vet told us, as gently as she could, that the kind thing to do was to put him to sleep. The disease is so rare, and the treatment so new, that even many vets aren’t aware of it.
Luckily, that didn’t happen. Through a wild series of coincidences (and yes, frantic googling as well), we came across Dr. Niels Pedersen’s FIP studies (at UC Davis). Long story short, we bit the bullet and started Howl on an 84 day GS-441524 treatment… and now…after 84 more days of observation…HOWL IS FIP FREE!!! We just got his final bloodwork back yesterday!!
Howl is back to his fuzzy, energetic, and - upon occasion - HIGHLY annoying self (evidenced by the last video!)… and we wouldn’t have it any other way🥰
谢天谢地!!!
A GIANT thank you to everyone who chipped in to help pay for Howl’s (very expensive) treatment.
IG hugs to the other cat parents here ( @bowen_liuu @kimisa_h @xiranjayzhao) , and to @zenbycat for raising awareness about this little known disease.