The following blog details the brave and courageous battle of a young FIP warrior named Bailey. The blog outlines the vicious disease and the most recent life saving measures that can be taken against this DEADLY illness. Follow along with Bailey’s journey as we outline his progress along the way with dated journal entries, show how his bloodwork changed and improved throughout the treatment, and how Bailey is doing now, a year after his original diagnosis with the disease. Click here for an informative question and answer section, with more summarized information on common questions people may have on the disease.
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP: Day 1/84 (October 22, 2o19)
Name: Bailey
Temperature: 103.2
Weight: 4.76 pounds
What is FIP? Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease that occurs world wide in wild and domestic cats. It is caused by a type of virus called coronavirus, which tends to attack the cells of the intestinal wall. FIP manifests in a “wet” or “dry” form. Signs of both include fever that doesn’t respond to antibiotics, anorexia, weight loss and lethargy. The wet form of FIP is also characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, or both. FIP has always been known as a fatal disease. The prognosis was never good in the past, and the disease was pretty much a death sentence. A cure has been recently found, and that is our journey – our journey to help Bailey fight against FIP!
So, how did we get here? Bailey was a stray cat living on the streets of Orlando when he found his way inside a cold metal trap-looking for a free hand-out. Part of a Trap Neuter Return (TNR) project, he was taken to be fixed and is when we realized he was friendly! At 8 months old, he then went up for adoption with our rescue Furry Nation Salvation. Before we found him a home, Bailey started acting different. He had been hiding a good bit, eating very little, and just not himself for the last few weeks. We started to notice that he would turn his nose up at his favorite wet food, and his stool became small. Although he still had energy and would be out and about for a little while, something wasn’t right. That something was…FIP.
Last week was full of daily vet visits…various treatments and Bailey’s temperature is still over 103° When we went to the vet for the first time a week ago, his temperature was 105° That is well above the average temperature of 99.5°-102.5° that a cat should have. His bloodwork taken last week shows very low red blood cell count, a high white blood cell count, and a low a/g ratio. These results on the bloodwork, his different behaviors, and the fever were all deciding factors in the diagnosis of FIP.
We will be spending the next 84 days fighting a war against FIP. Bailey has a long road ahead of him.
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP: Day 2/84 (October 23, 2019)
Name: Bailey
Temperature: 100.5
Weight: 4.68 pounds
WOW! Can you believe it??? We have begun Bailey’s treatment. Treatment for FIP!!! His temperature has already gone down 2 degrees!!!
This had been made possible by the generosity and support of those who believe in Bailey, and the fight against FIP.
With your support, we have completely covered the first month of his medicine and part of his second month. His treatment is 84 days long, so we are off to an awesome start!
Bailey will graduate from his recovery program on January 14, 2020, just in time for his first birthday!
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP: Day 10/84 (October 31, 2019)
Bailey
Temperature: 101.7
Weight: 4.64
We are excited to say that Bailey’s fever has been gone since the second day of treatment and has not returned. That is great news!
Unfortunately, he just isn’t putting his weight back on yet. He has been eating more wet food the past few evenings, so we’re hoping that is a good sign.
Every cat reacts differently and within a different time frame than others. Although we were hoping he would be gaining his weight back already, we are still hopeful that he will do so within the next few days.
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP: Day 19/84 (November 9, 2019)
Bailey
Temperature: 100.7
Weight: 4.94
To some, this is just a picture of a cat PLAYING with a toy. But, to us, it’s a picture of a cat who is taking back his life from a monstrous disease known as FIP…A disease that has taken so many lives from so many of our kitties way too soon!
Bailey is playing more and more each day. We even saw him sprint to the top of the tower with his favorite green mouse! He is eating more dry and wet food, and has been bird watching on his tower.
He is living and enjoying life because of so many people believing in him, and believing he can overcome this!
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP: Day 25/84 (November 15, 2019)
Bailey
Temperature: 101.5
Weight: 5.28 pounds
He is GAINING weight!!!! Finally, Bailey is starting to put on some weight! He eats a lot now… Like, maybe he is catching up for all that missed chow! We found that he loves his Fancy Feast Kitten food mixed with water, so it makes more of a gravy. We even heat it a little for him too. And, he loves Rachel Ray Nutrish…so, we’re feeding him as much as he will eat!
This is truly amazing to watch a cat who was so close to being gone… now he is eating, playing, running around, and LIVING!
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP: Day 32/84 (November 22, 2019)
Bailey
Temperature: 99.7
Weight: 5.54 pounds
Bailey continues to gain weight! This morning, we watched him chasing around a spring and playing…you honestly wouldn’t even know he was sick! It is amazing to watch him now , knowing how different he looked at acted just a few weeks ago!
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP: Day 37/84 (November 27, 2019)
Bailey❤ Temperature: 101.5
Weight : 5.56 pounds
On this Thanksgiving Eve, we wanted to express our gratitude for all of the support and kind words we have received for Bailey. He continues to fight this battle each and everyday against the horrible disease FIP.
We are so THANKFUL that he is with us today and fighting. We are THANKFUL that he has been given this chance at life because of the kindness and generosity of so many people who have helped with his treatment. We are THANKFUL for all the people who send well wishes, and share his story.
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP: Day 52/84 (December 12, 2019)
Bailey❤ Temperature: 100.1
Weight : 6.00 pounds ( SIX POUNDS!!!)
If you were meeting Bailey for the first time, you wouldn’t even know he was sick. He meows to say hello the second he sees you. He is always the FIRST to go for the food bowl at filling time. His latest favorite thing to do is to chase the spring up and down the steps with his buddies. He doesn’t appear to be sick, at all.
That is certainly a different story than a few short weeks ago. His journey has been amazing. But, he’s not in the clear yet. He still has 32 days of treatment to complete. That is the timeframe necessary to eradicate this evil sickness from his body.
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP Day 60/84 (December 20, 2019)
Bailey
Temperature: 100.9
Weight : 6.4 pounds
With all the gift giving and receiving this time of year, we are so very happy to say that we have already received the very best gift we could have ever asked for…LIFE. Bailey is still here with us! 60 days of treatment has been completed and now we have just 24 more days to go. He continues to have tons of energy, eats, plays and just loves life. He is actually a little more playful than some of his foster buddies! He loves to sit on the top of the litter box lid and give everyone a little swat as they enter and exit!
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP Day 68/84 (December 28, 2019)
Bailey❤
Temperature: 100.6
Weight : 6.42 pounds
Christmas has come and gone. It may have just been an ordinary Christmas for some people, but it was nothing short of a miracle for Bailey. When he was diagnosed with FIP back in the middle of October., we weren’t sure if he would ever get to see his first Christmas. And now, not only has he seen his first Christmas, but it is looking like he will even get to welcome in 2020 and prepare for his very first birthday. This is all because of the support we have received to help get his medicine!
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP Day 74/84 (January 3, 2020)
Bailey❤
Temperature: 100.5
Weight : 6.82 pounds
So…we have TEN days left! Bailey has gone through 74 days of treatment, and has gained over 2 pounds! And, the way he is eating, his weight gain is far from finished! We have a huge day next Friday, January 10. This is the day that we will take Bailey in for bloodwork to see what is going on inside his body. This is standard procedure as we near the end of treatment so we can make a comparison of his numbers on the bloodwork from before treatment up until the time of the next bloodwork. Paws crossed for the BEST report ever for this little sweet guy!
NO CURE FOR OVER 50 YEARS???
Bailey’s fate could have been very different…the difference between LIFE and death. For over 50 years since the discovery of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), there has been NO cure. Amazingly, a cure has become available within the past year…but, it is VERY costly. We have been able to raise enough to cover almost all of his treatment, and are trying to finish fundraising.
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP Day 76/84 (January 5, 2020)
Bailey❤
Temperature: 100.2
Weight : 6.80 pounds
TODAY IS THE DAY!!!
Today is the day we have been waiting for…since October 22, when we started Bailey’s treatment. Today is the day we will see if his bloodwork is back to normal. Today is the day we will see if the medicine is helping Bailey win the battle against FIP. What has happened inside that little precious body during the last 81 days of treatment?! The bloodwork will give us all of these answers!
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP Day 81/84 (January 10, 2020)
Bailey
Temperature: 100.2
Weight : 6.70 pounds
EVERY. SINGLE. VALUE. IMPROVED!!!! (see next
On Friday we took Bailey to the vet to get bloodwork done to see if the medication he has taken for the past 83 days has helped treat the FIP he was diagnosed with in October. We are excited to announce that every single one of his values has improved!!! His red and white blood cell count are both back to normal, as well as his kidney values. He has one liver marker that is still higher than normal (but has improved since beginning the medication), so we are going to put him on a special supplement to help his liver continue to recover. Remember, this disease was working for weeks to months on his body, creating damage that would have…killed him. To have all of these numbers improved and back to normal is nothing short of a miracle!
FIP Warrior Log (Blood work results)
Battle Against FIP Day 83/84 (January 12, 2020)
Bailey
Temperature: 101.5
Weight : 6.96 pounds
FIP Warrior Log
Battle Against FIP Day 84/84 (January 13, 2020)
Bailey
Temperature: 101°
Weight : 6.92 pounds
Today is the last day of Bailey’s medicine, For the past 83 days, we have weighed Bailey, taken his temperature every few days, and given him between 2-3 pills depending on his dosage at the time. He never fought taking the pills, and would even purr when I took his temperature. But, he always runs when I get the scale out. I’m not sure why, but something about the scale just gets him a scurrying…
For the next 84 days, we have to wait and watch. During these next 84 days, there is the possibility he can relapse. This can occur when the treatment wasn’t done properly or for the full time, if there is something else wrong with him, or if the treatment wasn’t begun in time.
We will watch and make sure he’s still eating and playing. We will continue to monitor his weight and temperature. And we will continue to wait for the next 84 days to make sure that the FIP is totally gone from his body!!!
Bailey’s Post Treatment Log
Bailey is not technically considered cured until 84 days post treatment. Relapse is sometimes seen during the first 84 days after treatment. That is why we monitor his behavior and weight on a daily basis, as well as frequent temperature checks.
Bailey’s Post Treatment Log❤
Days Until Cured: 37 days to go
Temperature: 100.2°
Weight: 7.20 pounds
It has been 47 days since Bailey’s last dose of Mutian capsules for his FIP (Feline infectious Peritonitis) treatment. His weight is staying around 7.2-7.3 pounds since our last update, which means he is not losing any weight at all. His fever has not returned, and he is very active. We recently got him a ripple rug, which is a 2 part rug that the cats can go under for hiding and playing. He LOVES this rug, and is always playing with one of the other fosters. He snuggles with Basil and runs around like crazy with Mimi.
Bailey is not considered cured until 84 days post treatment. It is possible during this timeframe that relapse can occur. We will continue to monitor him each and everyday, and hope for the best outcome for him.
So, you may be wondering…How did we know that Bailey had FIP? What are the signs that a cat has this horrible disease?
Bailey was diagnosed with the dry form of FIP in October of 2019. He was lethargic, hiding, not eating much at all, and just not himself. He also had a high fever. There are other forms of the disease; wet FIP is often accompanied by a fluid filled abdomen and neuro FIP can be accompanied by seizures and trouble with walking (in addition to the symptoms seen with dry FIP).
There is no test that confirms that the cat has FIP 100%. Bloodwork has to be preformed to look at common markers that indicate the cat is sick. With FIP, cats often have a low a/g ratio, high total protein, low albumin, high globulin and high neutrophils. These numbers are showing that the body is trying hard to fight off some sort of infection, but the infection is winning. Prolonged exposure causes damage to the organs of the body, and ultimately the organs will stop functioning.
Getting a diagnosis was difficult. Many vets are hesitant to diagnose FIP, and will send the patient out to internal medicine doctors. This diagnosis can cost thousands of dollars for people after ultrasounds and bloodwork panels are performed. Also, some vets are still in the mindset that there is no cure for FIP, while others don’t know about these new cures.
In our particular case, we were familiar with other people who had gone through the treatment and vets who are experienced with FIP. We also immediately joined the Facebook group called FIP Warriors. (Please note that a new Facebook page has appeared since the last one was removed). Please go here for the most up to date FIP warrior Facebook page: fiptreatment.com
The Facebook group is an invaluable part of the journey. Upon entering the group on Facebook, bloodwork is shared and vets weigh in on what they feel is the best course of action. These are vets that have experience with the diagnosis and treatment of FIP. They are sharing their knowledge and helping save lives, for nothing in return. It is truly amazing!
Bailey’s Post Treatment Log❤
Days Until Cured: 27 days
Temperature: 99.9°
Weight: 7.60 pounds
We are 57 days into Bailey’s post treatment period for FIP (Feline infectious Peritonitis). I honestly think he weighs more now than he has his entire life!!! He really has been gaining and gaining over the past few days! This is such a good sign.
Remember, Bailey is not technically considered cured until 84 days post treatment. Relapse is sometimes seen during the first 84 days after treatment. That is why we monitor his behavior and weight on a daily basis, as well as frequent temperature checks.
Once we knew Bailey had FIP, how did we know what to do for treatment? First and foremost, we went directly to the Facebook page FIP Warriors:
(Please note that a new Facebook page has appeared since the last one was removed). Please go here for the most up to date FIP warrior Facebook page: fiptreatment.com
The method many people use is an injectable form of GS441524, given as a shot for 84 days in a row. It costs less, but sometimes can cause infection and “burns” at the injection site. GS441524 also comes in a capsule form. The capsules are much more expensive, and sometimes aren’t effective against the wet and neuro forms of FIP.
Before we go any further, it is very important to note the history of the antiviral drug GS441524. Dr. Pedersen of the University of California, Davis, has been studying FIP for decades. Dr. Pedersen was working for Gilead Sciences around the time that the company was founded. He noticed that the company was working on treatments for Ebola, which is a virus similar to the virus that causes FIP. Dr. Pedersen worked out a deal with Gilead, and got permission to try the antivirals and their variations as treatment for FIP. Dr. Pedersen performed studies, and found that the antiviral was in fact effective against FIP. When he went back to Gilead to move forward with getting the medicine available on the market for all pet owners, they suddenly changed their stance and denied use for animal rights. They felt that if anything negative occurred with the use of the drug within the animal world, it may hinder their ability to use the drug to treat Ebola with humans.
Dr. Pedersen warned Gilead Sciences that if they restricted the use of the drug with animals, that eventually black market versions of the drug would become available. All formulas have to be published, and before long, Dr. Pedersen was correct. China began manufacturing the life saving drug, but it wouldn’t be easy for us to get here in the United States. Not only is it hard to get into the states, but it is very, very expensive. One vial (lasts approx. 4-5 days) of liquid GS441524 can cost anywhere between $80-320, and the capsules cost $8 per 50mg. The dosage is based on weight, so the more the cat weighs, the higher the dose. Bailey weighed 4.78 pounds when we started, and his dose was $32 per day to begin with. His dose was $48 per day by the end of treatment.
Bailey’s Post Treatment Log❤
Days Until Cured: 10 days
Temperature: 100.4°
Weight: 7.70 pounds
We are 74 days into Bailey’s post treatment period for FIP (Feline infectious Peritonitis). He is still gaining weight which we are very excited about. He has also become quite the “gamer.” This guy is a master at the Mouse for Cats game. He has the high score of over 1400 mouse whacks on his first attempt! He will sit there and play that nonstop as long as I can give up my cell phone =-)
On previous update posts, we talked about the symptoms of FIP and the treatment/medicine we used for his FIP. That information can be referred to on here: (Please note that a new Facebook page has appeared since the last one was removed). Please go here for the most up to date FIP warrior Facebook page: fiptreatment.com
What did Bailey’s Treatment Look Like?
We started treatment on October 22, 2019 using some Mutian capsules that a rescue friend had leftover from treating her own cat. This is the GS441524 in a capsule form. After 10 days of capsules, we switched over to the injectable form called Shire. We had one vial of the injectable form which lasted for 6 days. At this point of the treatment, Shire became very hard to get as it was getting held up in customs. There was a shortage. As we were afraid to run out of the medicine, we continued the rest of the treatment on the Mutian capsules. We were able to obtain these capsules through distributors in the United States that are getting the medicine directly from China. These distributors are easy to find on the FIP Warrior Facebook page: (Please note that a new Facebook page has appeared since the last one was removed). Please go here for the most up to date FIP warrior Facebook page: fiptreatment.com
There is also a way to buy them directly on their website (https://www.mutian.us/)
The medicine for Bailey’s treatment cost a total of $3265.96, and vet visits/bloodwork have cost $435.27 (vet bills will be more after the 84 days post treatment for more bloodwork). Medicine for the FIP and his liver after the treatment, vet visits, and bloodwork have cost $3750.61 total so far. Through fundraisers and donations, we were able to raise $3216 of the $3750.61!
Treatment had to be given at the same time, each and everyday, for 84 days in a row. This made sure that the virus was continuously killed and did not have time to replicate. This is why FIP is so hard to beat…the virus is strong and spreads through the body like wildfire. The cat is not allowed to eat for an hour before and an hour after the treatment. We did our treatment at 7:30 a.m. everyday. We would remove the food for Bailey at 6:30 a.m. and then put the food back out at around 8:30 a.m. Fasting ensures that the body absorbs the antiviral medicine more efficiently.
Bailey’s last day of treatment was on January 13, 2020. During his treatment, he gained over 2 pounds. His fever was gone within 24 hours of starting the treatment, and hasn’t returned since. Bailey is not technically cured for 84 days after the treatment (April 6, 2020), as this is a time that the cat can relapse. This means that the virus was not totally eradicated during the 84 day treatment period. This can be seen when treatment was started too late, not given everyday, or if the cat had other complications other than FIP. It is a waiting game where we have to monitor Bailey to ensure he doesn’t display any symptoms of the disease again.
This has been quite an amazing journey. We are excited to see the progress of this treatment, and even more excited to see the number of people who are now finding hope in a once incurable disease. FIP is no longer that disease that has NO cure. There is now hope!
Bailey’s Post Treatment Log
Days Until Cured: 0
(84 days after treatment)
Jan 13, 2020
Temperature: 101°
Weight : 6.92 pounds
CURED.. ?..?..?..?..?.. YES, you read that correctly. Bailey is FIP FREE!!!
??? ???? !!!
It’s been 168 days since we first started treating Bailey! And can you believe those words so close together, FIP and cured??? Oh, and he’s been part of the 8 pound cat club for over a week now at 8.10 pounds!!!
For those of you who are not familiar with Bailey…Bailey came to us over a year ago as a foster. Back in the fall, he was diagnosed with FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), and weighed just over 4.5 pounds as a 8 month old kitten. He had little time left, as FIP is almost ALWAYS a fatal disease.
Over the winter, we tried an experimental FIP treatment with the help of our followers and friends. The treatment was very costly, and we are so lucky to have had the help to get him where he is today….ALIVE and cured!
We have taken Bailey for 3 follow up blood panels. The last panel showed some numbers that were too high in regards to his liver, but everything is in the normal range now! (we have put stars on his most recent bloodwork by the numbers that deal with his liver).
⚠️?????? ??? ???????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ? ??? ??? ???? ?????????….we can’t wait to see what life has in store for him. LIFE, something we weren’t sure he’d ever get to experience!
We have also posted Bailey’s vet bill, which totaled $119.16. There is another patient on that bill that you will hear about very soon!
????? ???, ?? ??????, ??? ???? ????????? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ????????????? ??? ?????? ?????????? ???? ????? ???????!
QUESTION AND ANSWER PORTION:
1)What is FIP?
FIP stands for feline infectious peritonitis. It is a reaction within the cat’s body to the feline coronavirus (not the same as human coronavirus). Although many cats will be exposed to the feline coronavirus in their lifetime, only a select few have the response to the virus where the mutation occurs and causes FIP. There are several forms of FIP: wet, dry, and neuro. Wet FIP (effusive FIP) is characterized by a buildup of fluids in the abdomen, lungs or heart. Dry FIP is characterized high fever, lethargy, inappetence, and diarrhea. Neuro FIP is accompanied by seizures and trouble with walking.
2) How did we know that Bailey had FIP?
Bailey was not himself for several weeks. He became reclusive, hiding most of the time and eating/drinking very little. He had a very high fever when we took him to the vet. He also had several indicators on his bloodwork that are indicative of FIP (but not a guaranteed way of diagnosing): low a/g ratio, high total protein, low albumin, high globulin and high neutrophils.
3) What form of FIP did Bailey have? Is one form easier to treat than the other?
Bailey had Dry FIP. Yes, dry FIP can be easier to treat as there is typically more time to be able to treat the disease, but both ARE treatable. Adult cats with the wet form may linger for 6-8 months and cats with the dry form may survive a year or more. Bailey had the dry form (he was 8 months old when we started treatment).
4) Is it hard to diagnose at the vet clinic?
It is very difficult to diagnose at the vet because there is NO test to confirm that the cat has FIP. The vet has to analyze bloodwork, physical characteristics of the cat, as well as ruling out other possible disease that present similar symptoms to FIP.
5) Is treatment expensive?
Treatment is very expensive because the medication is hard to get. There are two ways to administer the medication to treat FIP, either with pills or liquid injections. The pills cost us around $3265.96 for the 84 days of treatment. The cost will vary based on the weight of the cat. We spent an additional $722.97 for vet visits/blood work for a grand total of $3,988.93.
6) What is the medication I use to treat FIP? How do I know how to dose it correctly? The medication is called GS441. Joining the FIP Warrior’s Facebook page will be your best resource through this journey. For the most up to date Facebook group page please go to FipTreatment.com. This group is for owners who have treated with, are currently treating with, or are considering treating with GS441 or GC376. There are hundreds of veterinarians in the group who can also assist in reviewing diagnostics, recommended supportive care and curing FIP with GS. There is also a dosing calculator as well.
7) How long does treatment take?
The treatment takes 84 days. This ensures that the virus is killed. The time frame is based on the original studies done by the founder of the treatment Dr. Pedersen. Even if bloodwork has returned to normal after partial treatment-DO NOT stop FIP treatment. Relapse of FIP is possible if a full 84 days of medication is not done.
8) Is he cured after treatment?
There is an 84 day “after” treatment period that must be allowed prior to saying the cat is cured. This is the timeframe in which the disease can reoccur, often due to inaccurate or missed doses during the initial 84 day treatment.
9) What’s involved with dosing Bailey with the medication?
Bailey had to be given his dose everyday at 7:30am. His dose had to be administered 24 hours after the previous dose to ensure the virus was killed if it began to replicate. He was not allowed to eat for an hour before and an hour after the treatment. We did our treatment at 7:30 a.m. everyday. We would remove the food for Bailey at 6:30 a.m. and then put the food back out at around 8:30 a.m. Fasting ensures that the body absorbs the antiviral medicine more efficiently. He had to be weighed everyday to ensure that the proper dosage was used. The FIP virus is very resistant and does not want to be beat!
10) What if I miss one dose of medication?
It is very important to keep up with the dosage at the same time everyday to make sure the virus is completely eradicated. If one dose is missed, it is best to see what is recommended for that exact type of treatment. The instructions will vary based on the type of medicine used and exact time between dosing.
11) Why can’t I order the medication in the United States? Can I only get it from China?
The medicine has not been approved by the FDA and is only manufactured in China at this point in time (2020). The company in the United States, where the original “cure” was developed is not releasing the patent to the veterinarian who used it to cure the cats of FIP. Therefore, the only way to get it is to order from manufactures in China.
12) Where can I order the medication?
Fiptreatment.com will lead you to the most up to date Facebook group page ( FIP Warriors). This page will help find a local moderator that can help the cat owner start the best treatment based on what is best for that particular feline. FIP Facebook pages are being shut down for reasons we won’t discuss here, but know there will always be other pages that will re-appear. These pages were an immense amount of help through the treatment of Bailey.
13) How can I get more help on treating FIP?
Fiptreatment.com is a valuable site to get information about symptoms and treatment and will have the most up to date Facebook page.
14) What is Bailey’s prognosis after his POST treatment?
The original study performed in 2018-2019, 93% of the cats are still alive. There is not much long term data since the first major trial done with this drug was only a few years ago.