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Cinderella (2002-2010) My little angel

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#102 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

Isn't there something to boost poor Cinderella's immune system to fight this %$^#&@! disease? Maybe an experimental treatment with feline interferon? anything!
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John's remark reminded me of my family's recent work building our own immune systems against the staph (MRSA) infection which our teen caught this fall...I believe some of what we are taking would be safe and helpful for cats, i.e. probiotics, really good vitamins.

Also, here's something interesting:

Feline interferon omega
Virbagen Omega (made by Virbac) is recombinant feline interferon omega (IFN omega) is available in many countries now. This product was first used in treatment of FIP by Japanese vet and scientist Takuo Ishida. He presented his data at SIFFS and his abstract can be read on the SIFFS website. This is his protocol:
IFN omega was initially given subcutaneously at 1 MU/kg every other day, and then once every week for variable period if remission was seen.

Glucocorticoid: (dexamethasone 1 mg/kg intrathoracic or intraperitoneal injection once only) or prednisolone. Oral prednisolone was initially given at 2 mg/kg once daily, and the dosage was gradually tapered to 0.5 mg/kg every other day after remission.
In Dr Ishida's study, 4 cats of 12 completely recovered and two survived 4 and 5 months. Those cats which recovered completely all had the effusive form of FIP and were relatively older cats.

Interferon Omega does seem to effect a cure in around a third of cats with FIP. I am working alongside vets in practice in the UK to monitor a number of cats being treated with this product. It seems to be very important to begin treatment as soon as possible after the onset of clinical signs. We are seeing success in younger cats too, and even cats with non-effusive FIP. Some cats are being treated orally using 50,000 Units a day. Once diluted (in water or saline) IFN Omega maintains its potency in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, so keep most IFN Omega in the freezer until needed.

Diluting feline interferon
Virbagen Omega comes in vials of 5 or 10 million units. It is reconstituted with 1ml of diluent. To get 50,000 Units/ml, put one 5MU vial into 99mls saline or sterile water, or a 10MU vial into 198 mls saline or water. Aliquot into 20ml syringes or tubes and freeze. Remember that reconstituted, diluted Virbagen Omega lasts only up to 3 weeks in the fridge.

Updates on treatment will appear in the English version of the website before the translated pages.
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From the website "catvirus.com" by Dr Diane D Addie (veterinary surgeon and virologist who has spent the last 22 years researching feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and feline coronavirus infection (FCoV), from the University of Glasgow, in Scotland): http://www.dr-addie.com/index.htm

Don't give up hope! This information is current (Nov. 2009) - sounds like there's a lot of research going on, and some breakthroughs, too..... :patback

Fran
 
#103 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

*tears*

I've been gone a long time but I probably remember you, Marie, and your four lovely cats most of all and I am heartsick to hear the news about Cinderella. She does sound like a fighter and she is blessed among cats to have you to take the very best care of her. Big hugs and well wishes to both of you through this tough time. :luv
 
Discussion starter · #107 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and good thoughts.

Bethany said:
Are there any other possible explanations, or do they seem pretty certain?
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My vet seems very certain. I picked up the prednisolone and it was only a 14-day supply. :( That was a little depressing, I'm hoping there's another reason for that.

She's been eating the tuna really well. I remembered which tuna cat food I used to wean her off tuna when she first came home with me. I bought some of that today and she ate it right up. The prednisolone mushes up nicely in her food, so I don't have to pill her. Thank goodness! She's on 15 mg a day (7.5 mg twice a day).
 
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#108 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

The short time frame for the script might be to see how she does on the dosage. Its easier, and cheaper, to change when you don't have large quantities of something.

Woohoo that she is eating the meds with her food.

((((HUGS)))) and love to all of you.
 
Discussion starter · #109 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

I knew there was a good explanation. Thanks, Lea-Ann!
 
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#111 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

Leazie said:
The short time frame for the script might be to see how she does on the dosage. Its easier, and cheaper, to change when you don't have large quantities of something.
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I was going to guess that perhaps your vet is hopeful that Cinderella will turn out to be a miracle kitty and miraculously beat the FIP....

Paws crossed for a miracle for your sweet Cinderella. Fergie is running herself to exhaustion in the apparent hope that enthusiasm is a cure!
 
Discussion starter · #112 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

They've started her on Clavamox in case she does have a secondary infection. My vet and the specialist are trying to find some interferon omega. It's mentioned in a lot of Dr. Addie's articles, but she's in the UK. Apparently, it's hard to find in this country. And the cats who recovered (who were part of a Japanese study) had effusive FIP, Cinderella has non-effusive FIP. Dr. Addie also recommends when the HCT is below 20, that cats be euthanized. Cinderella's HCT is 13.

Cinderella seems to be everyone's project, which makes me feel so good. She's off her food again today, but maybe when the twins go to bed, she'll eat some. She's taking the Nutri-Cal, and I found a way to get her to take her pills, which are small, thank goodness.

ETA: I just read two articles on interferon use on cats with FIP and both blind studies (one in Germany, one in England) showed no difference between interferon and the placebo. They are more recent than Dr. Addie's articles. I'm not giving up hope, Cinderella is special.
 
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#116 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

Oh my God! I haven't been around much the past few weeks and just saw this thread. Took my breath away!
Marie, I am so sorry! I can't believe it. Your poor little pooh! I don't know what to say, I'm just stunned.
Nanook, Lucy and I are sending you all the best healing thoughts and prayers.
 
#117 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

Marie, you and your girls are in my thoughts all the time!

I am so glad that your team of doctors is diligently searching for ways to help Cinderella, if only to give her system a much-needed boost while she battles this viral infection.

We used to think AIDS in humans was an automatic death sentence, and now we know it is not - with medicines and care people are living for decades with the virus. I am convinced that there are ways to help our companion animals face the same challenges, the trick is to find the folks who are doing the research and the trial treatments...

In the meantime, as Lisa said, (((hugs))) and headbutts :catmilk ....

Fran
 
#118 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

Ohh. I've been away for a while and hadn't been able to read this. Marie, I'm so sorry. You must be going sick with worry. I hope everything turns out alright. :( Poor Cinderella.
I'm so glad she has you and all your great doctors to look after her.
 
Discussion starter · #120 ·
Re: Dental visit - but not for Cinderella, she's sick

My computer died Monday night! This has been a long week!

When I picked Cinderella up a few minutes ago, she seems like she may have gained a little weight, but it could just be wishful thinking. I'm taking her in next week for a check-up. She's acting normal and eating okay.

I'm starting a part-time job next week, nothing great, but it's something. And I can still spend time with Cinderella, give her the meds she needs, take her to the vet, etc.

Thanks again for all the good thoughts and kind words, they really do help.
 
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