New Treatments For FIP In Cats

Updated April 27, 2023

Feline infectious peritonitis or FIP is probably the number one fatal viral disease of young cats around the world. Up to now FIP has had no effective treatments and no vaccine.

Now there is real hope of a successful treatment. I’ll explain it below after dismissing a few false hopes.

First, if you suspect your cat has FIP, please read my page on the signs and diagnosis of FIP in cats. No cat owner should start a treatment without first confirming the diagnosis. Yes, this really happens!

Treatment Of FIP

Traditional treatment of FIP has been supportive, using good nutrition, anti-inflammatories and attention to secondary infections. However, the most important treatment has been timely euthanasia.

There is nothing worse than watching your young kitten die a slow and relentless death. Up to now, there’s been little we could do about it. This gap has created desperate cat owners, ready to try anything, sometimes at almost any price.

As you will see, some of these treatments are better than others.

Interferon For FIP

Interferon-omega is an injection marketed for cats with FIP. A small early study showed promising results and so for a brief period it became part of the standard treatment. However, that study was plagued by the faults of most early FIP papers.

A larger double-blinded placebo-controlled study found no benefit to interferon. That should have been the end of the matter, but the drug is still available, and people still push the earlier paper without reference to the later one. Like all these drugs, Interferon-omega is expensive.

Polyprenyl Immunostimulant

This is the one that frustrates me. If you read the reports, polyprenyl immunostimulant is a wonder drug. If you read the science with a vet’s eye, it all falls apart. These people almost certainly mean well, but they look a lot like people taking advantage of a bad situation.

The studies they quote lack control groups, have fatal flaws and make very unsound conclusions. It takes a whole webpage just to unpack the deficiencies of this product and its ‘evidence’. Is it any surprise that this is also an expensive drug?

GS-441524 GC-376 and Mutian

GS441524 and GC376 are two new antiviral drugs responsible for much recent excitement. And to be fair, they have been very effective. There is also an oral antiviral product called ‘Mutian’, whose exact nature is a ‘commercial secret’.

Most of the attention has focused on GS441 or GS as it’s often called. A preliminary paper published last year showed encouraging results in a small study. Perhaps more important than the study itself was that it was in a prestigious journal by a respected author.

But there’s a problem: GS-441 is owned by a human pharmaceutical company whose main focus is developing an antiviral drug for Ebola and human coronavirus. They have allowed this pilot study, and then stopped access to the drug while they focus elsewhere. This has encouraged the production and sale of GS-441 from China.

GC-376, by contrast, is owned by a veterinary company, but still needs FDA approval to be released. This could be up to 5 years away.

Using GS 441 In Cats

NEWS FLASH: before reading on, I strongly urge you to read this update on the use of remdesivir to treat FIP in cats. If you have access to this easily-obtained and legal alternative, there is no longer any reason to continue the black market situation that is described here.

And the situations is changing fast. The best up to date information on treatment protocols and drug availability in Australia is no longer here, but found on the page of Turramurra Veterinary Hospital. I’m sorry that I do not have local information for cat owners outside of Australia.

What To Do If Your Cat Has FIP

GS 441 does appear to result in good improvement in most FIP infections, and I have much experience of its use in cats with FIP.

If you want to use GS-441, the problem isn’t in getting it, it’s using it. There are Facebook pages and websites devoted to assisting you, and while they can help you source the medicine, they aren’t vets.

By all means read what they say, but ask your vet if more modern treatments exist in your area first. If they don’t, vets can’t legally buy or give GS, but that doesn’t stop us from advising you on how to use it.

Giving a needle is safe and easy once you know how, but I have seen owners get in a terrible mess. GS 441 appears to be hard to inject as well as irritant and painful so a good technique is essential. We’re happy to teach you how and even supply pain relief to give before the needle.

If injections are too difficult, there is a recent oral tablet form that appears to be effective, though at roughly twice the price. Cost is also a barrier to many owners. Recent reports of the cost for a course of GS441 are from $2000 up to $5000 depending on the supplier and the size of cat

In reading owner reports, drug safety doesn’t appear to be a major problem, other than reactions around the injection site. However, there’s no way of guaranteeing it will be as pure or as effective. Buying an unlicensed drug from such origins will always be riskier.

That’s just one of the prices we pay for caring so much. It’s a shame to be given a choice when it’s as imperfect as this one. We can only hope that the registered drug fills the void for cats everywhere soon.

Further Reading

Pedersen, N. C., Perron, M., Bannasch, M., Montgomery, E., Murakami, E., Liepnieks, M., & Liu, H. (2019). Efficacy and safety of the nucleoside analog GS-441524 for treatment of cats with naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis. Journal of feline medicine and surgery21(4), 271-281. Full text

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here. The information provided here is not intended to be used as a substitute for going to the vet. If your pet is unwell, please seek veterinary attention.

27 Replies to “New Treatments For FIP In Cats”

  1. My cat is on gs441 but developing several sores. They are now around his eyes, in his ears, between his paws. Any recommendations you may give? Benedryl? He is on day 35 of the injection. He is on 4cc. He is a 17 pound Maincoon 3 years old with wet fip/occular. My vet is putting a cortisone spray on them which seems to help a little.

    1. Hi Renee. Whenever possible, it’s best just to manage the side-effects without changing the GS. I think your vet has the best approach, and I would not use Benadryl.

  2. My 3 month old kitty named lucky has wet and they tell me there is no treatment. Is it possible that gs441 could help him and how do I get it?

    1. Hi Acacia. Whether you use GS441 or remdesivir will depend on the country you live in. Don’t accept the first answer but call around to a few other vets or try looking for FIP activist groups on Facebook in your country.

  3. Hi, my cat has wet FIP & I’m wondering if vets are able to prescribe remdesivir? Thanks you sir.

    1. Hi Tina. Yes, it depends on where you live in the world but it’s mostly now available, as is GS – 441 in some areas via legal supply.

  4. Hi

    Are this medicine will kill the virus or just give him some more time to live , note that my cat have a Feline Corona and change to FIP wet

    Thank you

  5. Hi I found 5 kittens in a scrap pile, one already dead others looking very weak starving, pot bellied, full of flea shit,4weeks old approx, so with 24/7over a week they are all OK, but now they are 4mths with intermittent diarrhea when worming and flea treatment, but weighing just 1kg.85 have been postponed desexing till 6mths so they will have a feline aids test, in case the missing feral mum cat died from it, now worried about FiP, as loose bowel movements are a symptom of it, is just a watch and wait situation, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated thanks Janet

    1. Hi Janet. FIP and FIV are the least of these kittens’ problems right now. FIP affects just 1-2% of cats, and mostly comes on much later. FIV is spread via bites from infected cats, so also generally much later. For multiple very young kittens with distended abdomens, think worms or gastrointestinal infections.

  6. Hi! I work at a cat shelter and we have seen more than our share of wet/dry FIP. Cost for GS441 and Remdesivir are not cost friendly, although their benefits seem to be greatly worth it. I have read about an alternative, Mutian. Any thoughts or information on this product? I apologize in advance if questions about this product are not allowed. Any information is greatly appreciated, because the cure for FIP is long overdue 🙂

    1. Hi Christine. Mutian is a unknown quantity, because the manufacturer does not disclose its ingredients. My impression from only a few instances is that it works well, but not quite as well as GS – 441.

  7. I read Dr. Pedersen’s paper. He stated he intended to continue to follow the cats in the study that passed the 84 day post-treatment marker that signaled successful treatment. Do you know if he reported what became of the test cats?

    1. Hi Stephen. It’s a good question. No, I don’t know, but he remains extremely positive about the treatment, so I expect things are well. I can also add that our experience following our own patients is that relapse is unlikely but possible.

      1. Hi , my kitten has a FIP and he have Fluids on the chest when I do the test it’s positive and the DR here in our country the say that, no chance to live he will died, any feedback please

        Noted : the cat with positive results he lives with one another cat are this is ok ?

        Thank you

      2. Hi Abdulla. Even if you don’t have access to remdesivir, you should be able to get hold of GS – 441. How you can do this in your country I can’t say but start by asking FIP Warriors.

  8. Hello , i live in israel how can i get this treatment for my can he has a wet FIP, lungs , he is 6 years old he is my best friend my baby i can lose him

    1. Hi Valentina. In Australia, there are Facebook groups advising you and I assume it will be the same in Israel.

    2. you treat him but the medicine is so expensive ! be careful and check his liver enzymes and also do a CBC test for any blood infections before and during fip treatment . if GS is not available in your country provide it from China or Turkey or Dubai , buying this medicine from China is cheaper than other countries.

  9. I appreciate your insight on this disease and cures. I am part of a group of pioneers and warriors that are fighting FIP with gs441.
    We are 5000 strong as of today and there are more cats surviving on this than passing. Yes there are some that pass due to how weak the cat was before getting the medication. There are three types available now. One is a pill form and it is doing great also. Good for those who are not comfortable with giving injections. The source of the medication is reliable and it seems to be a saving grace for many!! My cat included. She is on day 24 of injections and she has completely turned around from wasting away and feverish and hardly moving, now back to her playful energetic and bright eyed self. There are many many more as well in this group of 5000 plus. Many of them are post treatment as far as 87 days post and completely turned around with perfect blood work and living a happy cat life. Many people are thankful for the opportunity to save their cat’s life. I wouldn’t just get the medication from anyone or any other source. The group I am in is a reliable source with many Veterinarians on board to look at bloodwork and offer suggestions for support. The entire group is like a family and we support each other and answer questions. Everyone is in various stages of the medication protocol. Everyone shares their ups and downs. New people are finding the group and joining daily! This is the FB group . I only know of one. It is a legitimate source for help. Lots of love and support here. Thank you for your article. I just wanted you to know that we are pioneering our way through this so far the outcomes are positive. We need to educate more veterinarians about this. I changed vets because my former vet scolded me and made me feel bad for seeking out a source to Save my cat rather than watch her die. I read lots of the same stories on my group page. Too many vets are uneducated about the medication and treatment. They make comments like it’s a bad thing or idea. Well what’s worse than watching your beloved cat die!??!! Trying the treatment is the best thing ever!! Because they are dying anyhow!!!!
    Why not try something that just might give them a chance.
    This group is better than any clinical trial because we are living proof that this works and we can follow up and see how it goes through the years.
    Bless any and all that are going through the ravages of this horrible disease. So far I am happy and my cat is doing great and I do not regret my decision to go forward with the medication.
    My new vet is on board with me and they are documenting my progress through this with excitement about the medication and how it’s working.
    Go Warriors!!! And Pioneers!!!!!!

    1. Hi. This sounds encouraging. How can I find more information on tor group? My cat is 2 years old and seems to be in early stages of fip.

      1. The Facebook page referred to by Jaci is called FIP warriors. They will give you advice, but I’m sure they will also strongly recommend you do it with a vet who is comfortable working with the drugs.

  10. Thank you for your balanced and informed perspective on what is a scary and emotive subject for cat owners, especially those like myself with young cats who actively suffer from corona virus flare ups.

  11. Thank you for your article, which I read with considerable interest.
    I have an 8-mths-old foster kitten who’s been diagnosed with dry FIP, after several consultations with our vet and a blood test.
    There is clear evidence of both ocular and neurological damage from this evil disease and he runs a high fever frequently. His appetite has diminished lately as well. It’s a truly heartbreaking experience and unfortunately, this very sweet, loving little boy is not responding favourably to Interferon. He is still being treated with anti-inflammatories and now also eye drops in his right eye, which started to show signs of following the course of his now-blind left eye…the one bright light in all this is that so far, the visible damage to this eye appears static and he can still see me.
    For various logical reasons, other infections were discounted by our vet and from my own research on this subject, I’m inclined to agree with her diagnosis.
    Although I’m no scientist or medic of any kind, I don’t believe that FIP is as rare as you might think, (as I’ve seen quite a few more cases of it among various shelter cats, and of varying ages but more often among kittens), and I can only hope that a reliable treatment (cure!) can be found and offered to us ASAP!
    Kind regards..

    1. Hi Suzanne. I think you are right in saying that FIP can be more common. It seems to vary depending on the prevalence, use and possibly also type of shelters. Here in Adelaide, FIP is quite rare and in fact I’ve not seen it in a moggy (tabby cat) for over 20 years. On the other hand, it appears to be increasingly common in purebreds. I’ve added worldwide prevalence data above to support your comment.

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