Savannah Luna's GS-441524 Drug Trial for FIP Day One
Luna's battle with Feline Infectious Peritonitis and a long-awaited, life-saving drug trial GS-441524 EVO984 2017
Our day began on two days of no sleep to prepare for this last-minute journey to California to enroll Luna in the new FIP drug trial in an attempt to save her life. We entered this knowing it was a trial and not a treatment. There are no guarantees, only hope.
Luna was full of piss and vinegar today and running on adrenaline. She flew like a champ. She kept fighting to get out of the carrier and look around, thwarted by the flight attendants. We left Columbus, OH, at 6:15 EST, changed planes in Denver, CO, and arrived in Sacramento at 10:30. We quickly snagged a rental car and arrived at the clinic before noon PST.
Dr. Pedersen and his team met us at the reception desk, ready to roll, and we were off without delay to the exam room. A thorough examination was done, including weight and temperature, and then Dr. Pedersen wowed us on the whiteboard with diagrams of the science behind how the new drug works. I'll stop there as I do not want to discuss details without consent or at the risk of inaccuracy. Luna is the first privately owned cat to participate in this clinical trial of the second promising drug, which we didn't know about until today! We can't help but feel privileged and excited about this. Once the exam was over, we went to the room where Luna would live for the next five days. We brought her a bed, blanket, litter box, toys, food--everything she's familiar with so she wouldn't feel anxious or scared since we can't be with her. Leaving her was hard. I'm sure she feels we abandoned her, but we know she's in capable hands and safe.
Next, Dr. Pedersen showed us the drug, how to draw it up, and how and where to administer it, as we'll continue this at home for at least 12 weeks. I've had my share of needle-phobic fighter patients in my human nursing career, but that'll be the first one with razor-sharp teeth! The team sent us on our way, told us to explore the area and come back tomorrow morning during her exam for a visit.
Once we left, they drew her blood, aspirated fluid from her belly, and administered the first round of EVO984 (GS-441524). I received a text from Dr. Pedersen's assistant, Mike, saying Luna's fever had broken (by two degrees from 103.8 on arrival to 101.8 (the average temperature for cats is 99-101), and she's resting comfortably. He said she took the shot like a champ and with little backlash (we're told the cats are very vocal for about 30 seconds after the injection and to "ride it out" with them).
We're meeting tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. for her exam and a visit. Today went as perfectly as it could've, without complications, delays, or Luna worsening. It's time to finally get some sleep and offset the time change so we can tackle day two with our sweet girl!
