Researchers Making Progress in Treatment of FIP

by Steve Dale

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) might be the most dreaded diagnosis for cats. That's because it usually happens to kittens. Until now, FIP has always been considered fatal, but it seems there may be hope, at least for some infected cats.

To announce new directions in FIP research, and actual successes, world-renowned researchers Dr. Niels Pederson, director of the Center for Companion Animal Health at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine-Davis, and Dr. Al Legendre, a professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine-Knoxville, will headline the 2011 Winn Feline Foundation Symposium, "WINNing the FIP Fight," Thursday, June 23, at the Hyatt Regency Reston, in Reston, VA.

The event includes a question-and-answer session and dinner, for $45. Proceeds benefit the Winn Feline Foundation Bria Fund, which provides funding for FIP research.

"Finally, (we have) momentum and results when it comes to FIP research," says Dr. Susan Little, a feline practitioner in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and past president of the Winn Feline Foundation, a non-profit funder of cat health studies. "Getting these two legends of veterinary medicine together at the same time is very rare, and to actually allow time for questions. I don't know a veterinarian, a cat breeder, or a cat lover who wouldn't benefit. FIP touches everyone."

Indeed, FIP occurs more often than once thought. According to Pederson, FIP kills an estimated one in 100 to one in 300 of all cats under five years old (though mostly kittens are stricken). And the incidence can be up to 10 times greater among kittens from catteries (breeders) or shelters.

Legendre notes that if a disease killed puppies with this kind of frequency, a cure might have been found years ago because of the emphasis and dollars devoted to canine studies. "Well, might have been found," says Legendre, who calls FIP the most complex disease he's ever studied.

FIP occurs as a result of an unexpected mutation of the common enteric feline corona virus. The coronavirus isn't only common in cats; other mammal species have their own associated coronaviruses. In fact, the common cold is often a result of a human coronavirus. For cats, the coronavirus itself is typically benign. Symptoms may not be evident, or perhaps there's only mild tummy upset.

However, for reasons that remain a mystery, in some cats the benign corona virus mutates into an immune-mediated killer known as FIP. Essentially the cat's body attacks itself. There are two forms of FIP: the wet (effusive) form and the dry form. FIP is sometimes misdiagnosed, and can be difficult to identify.

Much of what we do know about FIP is due to Pederson's research. He's been studying FIP for decades.

"I think we will have a better handle on FIP causative mutations. We're still collecting DNA samples from cats with FIP, healthy cats closely related to cats dying of FIP, and healthy cats from bloodlines free of FIP," Peterson notes. "The goal is to use these samples to identify FIP susceptibility genes. If such genes can be identified, and tests created for them, it will be possible to significantly reduce the incidence of FIP among pure breed cats."

Pederson says he might have something new to talk about at the symposium. For sure, Legendre has news. Dozens of medications have been tried to treat FIP, from cancer drugs to chicken soup, but nothing has worked. Polyprenyl Immunostimulant (PI) is a drug which can be used to treat cats with feline herpes (upper respiratory infection). It was Legendre, and the pharmaceutical company Sass and Sass, who together thought PI might help cats with FIP.

"So far, 20 percent of cats with dry FIP treated with PI do better than anticipated (which means they don't die; what's more they are no longer sick)," Legendre notes. "Many of these treated cats are now about six months out or more. But we haven't been doing this long enough to determine anything long-term, except for our poster cat who's now three years out past treatment."

It's true that PI only helps 20 percent of cats with dry FIP, and appears to be completely ineffective against the wet form of the disease. Still, this is the first time any drug has shown to make a difference, even if it's only for a small percentage of FIP cats. Legendre may be able to increase those percentages if he can learn why some cats respond while others don't. (PI is not yet available for public use.)

Neither Legendre or Pedersen believe a magic cure is around the corner. But they agree that we're closer than ever, as the mysteries of FIP continue to unravel. Hopefully, someday scientists will "winn" this fight.

Registration for the Symposium is required by June 17 (though the event may sell out sooner) at www.winnfelinehealth.org, or call 856-447-9787.

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