Treatment With Oral Formulations of GS-441524 by: Dr. Niels Pedersen 9/24/2021
Read MoreCoronavirus: Black market cure for cats with feline infectious peritonitis is illegal, but is saving thousands of lives
Read MoreThis last year has been a milestone in our fight against FIP. We extended our landmark studies of 2018 when we published on a collaborative study with colleagues at Kansas State University on a drug called GC376. This was the first drug to successfully cure cats of FIP. In this last year, we reported on a second antiviral drug and its safety and efficacy for the treatment of cats with naturally occurring FIP. This study, which was reported in the April issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, involved a small molecule viral RNA inhibitor called GS-441524. GS-441524 was developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc as part of their research into human RNA virus disease such as Ebola. We initiated this collaboration several years ago with great optimism. Over two years of laboratory work led us to the point of conducting a field trial with owned cats suffering from FIP. This initial field trial did not accept cats with definite neurological involvement based on the difficulty in treating such cats with GC376. GS-441524 proved to be even more potent against FIP and provided hints that even neurological FIP was treatable. Subsequent, and yet to be published, trials with GS-441524 on 4 cats with severe neurological and/or ocular disease have shown GS to be also effective in these most difficult cases if the drug is given at a high enough dosage.
Read MoreMutian, the first Chinese company to sell GS-441524 on the unapproved market, has recently advertised that the use of its oral formulation for one (or more?) day will stop feline coronavirus (i.e., FECV) fecal shedding by healthy cats. Certain veterinary researchers are also advocating such an approach. The rationale is to prevent the appearance of FIP-causing mutant virus (FIPV) and thus prevent FIP. Although this approach is attractive at first consideration, it is a greatly misguided use of GS-441524 in cats. Up to this time, GS-441524 has only been recommended for the treatment of cats suffering from FIP. The problems with this approach are many.
Read MoreDr. Niels Pedersen - Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Symptomatic Treatment Options (as of March 2019)
Read MoreLuna hiked 11 miles over two days with us on August 12th & 13th! I thought I’d posted a blog about it, but I forgot! This hike was at Zaleski State Forest here in Ohio. This adventure was taken three weeks post-trial drug completion.
Read MoreWe are at the six-week mark of Luna being off her life-saving, anti-viral trial drug, exceeding all expectations!
Read MoreToday marks the end of week two when Luna has been off the FIP antiviral trial drug. Luna will turn seven months old on August 9th. She is gaining weight every day thanks to her improved appetite. Her temperature has remained normal, and there is no sign of ascites in her abdomen. Her energy level is off the hook, and you would never know that she was at death's door just over three months ago.
Read MoreMany people have asked me to post Luna's symptoms and diagnostics that led to her FIP diagnosis, so here it is! During Luna's routine check-up and second Felo-vax vaccine, I asked our vet if she thought her abdomen might look slightly distended.
Read MoreSo here we are, in the home stretch of the injections, and now six months old! It's hard to believe we started this all at the age of 15 weeks and how far she has come and how much closer UCD and Dr. Pedersen are to what could be a cure for the dreaded effusive/wet FIP nightmare!
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