FIP Remains Fatal, But A New Drug is Being Tested

by Steve Dale

Q: My kitten has been diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis. My vet said this (disease) is fatal. Then, I saw on the Internet a new cure called PI. Can you tell me more? -- S.C., Cyberspace

A: While there's some hope that Polyprenyl Immunostimulant will help cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), the jury is still out.

Many cats, particularly kittens, come down with the enteric corona virus, which is benign; kitties get better on their own. However, in a small percentage of cats, the virus mutates into an auto-immune-like fatal disease called FIP. It's always been thought that FIP is rare. However, Dr. Niels Pedersen, director for the Center of Companion Animal Health at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, says FIP kills far more cats than previously thought.

By next summer or fall, PI will be available to help cats with feline herpes (feline upper respiratory infections), a common problem. The drug is now being tested for FIP.

Dr. Al Legendre, a professor in the department of small animal clinical sciences at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, has been working with PI for a couple of years.

"I'm convinced PI helps cats with feline herpes by more than merely lessening symptoms; the drug seems to actually stimulate immune response," he says. The result shortens duration and severity of (the herpes) infection. Though, many cats with herpes "have a chronic condition, and while I am hopeful the drug will affect these cats - we don't know that yet for certain."

It was Legendre and the pharmaceutical company (Sass and Sass) who together thought PI might do what no other drug has been proven to do - help cats with FIP.

PI has helped extend life for a limited number of cats with dry FIP. So far, however, the drug has had no effect for cats with wet FIP. Legendre published his pilot study, and will do more research next year.

Meanwhile, if you have a kitten diagnosed with FIP, Legendre will attempt to make the drug available, but do understand that PI is still considered experimental. Your veterinarian can contact Legendre at alegendr@utk.edu.

To learn more about FIP, check http://eepurl.com/e3EM (including links to lengthy Podcast interviews I conducted with Pedersen and researcher Dr. Dianne Addie). Addie's site: http://www.dr-addie.com/, and Pedersen's site: http://www.sockfip.info/.

Q: Someone wrote on the Internet, "Very foul-smelling cat poop, in my experience, is an indication of a Vitamin B deficiency. And chronic diarrhea also may be an indication of malabsorption in the intestines." I can't believe that a person can smell a vitamin deficiency. What do you think? -- H.C., Cyberspace

A: It's unlikely that you could sniff out a vitamin B deficiency by smelling a cat's feces, says veterinary nutritionist Dr. Edward Moser, an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia. However, he's quick to add, "Lots of people know what their pet's feces typically smells like, and it's true that nutritional malabsorption may lead to malformed stools, which may also smell differently. Put simply, if you notice a cat's poop smells extra bad, something may be wrong."

Does Moser suggest that pet owners learn what their pet's poop typically smells like - so they'll be able to detect any change? Moser replies, "Let's not overdo the recommendation."

Q: The piles are disappearing from our yard, and I know where they're going. How can I stop my dog from snacking on his own droppings? I can't think of anything more gross. -- S.P., Tampa, FL

A: I can't tell you why some dogs enjoy eating their own excrement. This behavior isn't uncommon and can be motivated by any number of factors. For your dog, allowed to wander in the yard for hours at a time, boredom may have sparked what's now a habit.

There are all sorts of concoctions you can prepare to booby-trap you dog's droppings. Try mixing Tobasco sauce with lemon juice and drizzling it liberally over his poo. Your dog might take a taste and swear off poop-snacking forever. On the other hand, he might just sniff before swallowing in future, still scarfing down fresh droppings.

For my money, the best answer is to simply pick up after your pet.

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