WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A disease in cats, once thought to be a death sentence. Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, has been a nightmare for cat owners for years. A Wichita family said an unapproved medication saved their kitten’s life.
Loki’s owners, Randy and Cheryal Myers, took him to a vet checkup and after some abnormal lab work, their vet had some hard news to deliver.
“She said normally we would now be having a conversation euthanizing your kitten but she goes, there is a support group and a treatment program,” said Randy.
This treatment support group offers a way to access medicine that the FDA hasn’t approved. The Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine said that soon can change.
“That antiviral medication is on the way for FDA licensure but it’s not there yet,” said Dr. Yunjeong Kim an associate professor in K-State’s veterinary school who teaches on feline viral diseases.
Starting June 1, an FIP medication will be available. The medication is not FDA-approved, but easy access to the treatment is being called a big win.
However, for the Myers family, choosing the non-FDA-approved treatment plan was a leap of faith.
After months of treatment and about $5,000, the results are promising.
“He’s in his second month of observation. He’s had three months of medication and then three months of observation,” said Randy. His first blood work came back normal, and he’s a crazy little kitty now.”
Now that Loki is in recovery, the Myers family is grateful for the Facebook group that they say saved their kitten’s life.
“Loki would not be here if it wasn’t for that FIP group, they were so supportive,” said Cheryal. “And we were so scared, you know because we thought he was going to die.”
Until a treatment is FDA-approved, the FDA will allow vets to prescribe the new unapproved medication starting June 1.
It can be shipped to your door by Stokes Pharmacy.
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