Mino is a stray cat from Turkey. Student Aygül saw him on the street. Mino was so sick that he couldn't move. Aygül took him to the veterinarian. To everyone’s surprise, the diagnose wasn’t FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis, read our other blog to know more about FIP). The vet told Aygül that Mino had a parasite and earwax.
Mino received treatment for three days, but Mino's imbalance continued. So, Aygül decided to have a second opinion. And then it was all clear: Mino had caught the neurological form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis.
According to a report (2021) by Niels C. Pedersen, DVM PhD, neurological FIP presents in two forms, primary and secondary. He underlines that cats with primary disease present for evaluation of abnormal neurological signs. However, in his view generalized signs of ill-health are common, including failure to thrive, weight loss, lethargy and inappetence.
Pedersen writes in his report: “Fever may be apparent or inapparent. About one-half of cats with primary neurological FIP will also have identifiable lesions outside of the central nervous system (CNS) and blood tests will be more typical of systemic FIP.
However, cats with no apparent extra-CNS signs will frequently have normal or near normal blood values on CBC and serum chemistry tests. Early neurological signs, when recognized prospectively or retrospectively include licking at floors or walls, sporadic muscle twitches, anisocoria, and vague behavioral and cognitive abnormalities. […] Cats with neurological FIP may be left with residual damage to brain and/or spinal cord and permanent disabilities. Disabilities include varying degrees of incoordination, behavioral changes, and dementia. The most troublesome disabilities result from involvement of the spinal cord.”
Furthermore, Pedersen states that neurological FIP can be cured if sufficient anti-viral drug passes the blood-to-brain barrier and the virus has not acquired drug resistance. According to him, field tests with the viral protease inhibitor GS376 were the first to show that neurological signs can be greatly suppressed but the infection not cured.
Because of the cure Mino received, he in general is moving better now. The level of FIP is lower, but it is still active in Mino’s body. Actually, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Niels Pedersen himself, said to Aygül to continue the cure he developed. Because otherwise, the probability of recurrence would be very high.
You can support Mino for his treatment via his Insta.
Source:
The Neurological Form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis and GS-441524 treatment by Niels C. Pedersen, DVM PhD, June 1, 2021.
Komentáre