Potential Treatment for FIP

Legendre, A.M. and J.W. Bartges, Effect of polyprenyl immunostimulant on the survival times of three cats with the dry form of feline infectious peritonitis. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(8): p. 624-626.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a baffling and clinical important disease of cats caused by a virulent biotype of feline coronavirus. Despite the fact that the disease is relatively common, veterinarians are faced with a frustrating dilemma because there are no individual tests that are reliable for the diagnosis of FIP, the clinical picture is highly variable, and there is no known effective treatment. Polyprenyl immunostimulant (PI) is an investigational veterinary biologic manufactured by Sass & Sass, Inc and is comprised of a mixture of phosphorylated, linear polyisoprenols. This case series from the University of Tennessee describes three cats with the dry (non-effusive) form of FIP treated with PI. The cats were treated with varying doses of the drug, and by both subcutaneous and oral routes. Two of the three cats were still on treatment and were alive and well 2 years after diagnosis. The third cat survived 14 months but was treated for only 4.5 months. The investigators conclude that further studies to assess the therapeutic efficacy of PI for the treatment of FIP are warranted. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related Articles:
Addie, D., et al., Feline infectious peritonitis ABCD guidelines on prevention and management. J Feline Med Surg, 2009. 11(7): p. 594-604.
>> Full text article

Pedersen, N.C., A review of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection: 1963-2008. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(4): p. 225-258.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Legendre, A.M. and J.W. Bartges, Effect of polyprenyl immunostimulant on the survival times of three cats with the dry form of feline infectious peritonitis. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(8): p. 624-626.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a baffling and clinical important disease of cats caused by a virulent biotype of feline coronavirus. Despite the fact that the disease is relatively common, veterinarians are faced with a frustrating dilemma because there are no individual tests that are reliable for the diagnosis of FIP, the clinical picture is highly variable, and there is no known effective treatment. Polyprenyl immunostimulant (PI) is an investigational veterinary biologic manufactured by Sass & Sass, Inc and is comprised of a mixture of phosphorylated, linear polyisoprenols. This case series from the University of Tennessee describes three cats with the dry (non-effusive) form of FIP treated with PI. The cats were treated with varying doses of the drug, and by both subcutaneous and oral routes. Two of the three cats were still on treatment and were alive and well 2 years after diagnosis. The third cat survived 14 months but was treated for only 4.5 months. The investigators conclude that further studies to assess the therapeutic efficacy of PI for the treatment of FIP are warranted. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related Articles:
Addie, D., et al., Feline infectious peritonitis ABCD guidelines on prevention and management. J Feline Med Surg, 2009. 11(7): p. 594-604.
>> Full text article

Pedersen, N.C., A review of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection: 1963-2008. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(4): p. 225-258.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Meloxicam and Kidney Function in Cats

Goodman, L.A., et al., Effects of meloxicam on plasma iohexol clearance as a marker of glomerular filtration rate in conscious healthy cats. Am J Vet Res, 2009. 70(7): p. 826-30.

This study investigates the effect of therapeutic dosages of meloxicam on the plasma clearance of iohexol in healthy, hydrated, conscious cats fed a sodium-replete diet. Meloxicam is a popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in cats, but there are few studies on the effect of this drug on feline kidney function. Plasma clearance of iohexol is used as a marker of renal glomerular filtration rate. Six healthy adult neutered male cats were studied in the masked, randomized, crossover study and were administered either no treatment or meloxicam. The studies were performed before the treatment began (baseline) and on the final day of treatment (5 days later). The results of the study indicated that meloxicam did not measurably alter GFR in healthy, hydrated, conscious cats. Additional studies looking at the effects of NSAIDs on GFR in cats with decreased actual or effective circulating blood volume or with renal disease is needed. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Gunew, M.N., V.H. Menrath, and R.D. Marshall, Long-term safety, efficacy and palatability of oral meloxicam at 0.01-0.03 mg/kg for treatment of osteoarthritic pain in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2008. 10(3): p. 235-241.
>> PubMed Abstract

Lascelles, B.D., et al., Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cats: a review. Vet Anaesth Analg, 2007. 34(4): p. 228-50.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook

Goodman, L.A., et al., Effects of meloxicam on plasma iohexol clearance as a marker of glomerular filtration rate in conscious healthy cats. Am J Vet Res, 2009. 70(7): p. 826-30.

This study investigates the effect of therapeutic dosages of meloxicam on the plasma clearance of iohexol in healthy, hydrated, conscious cats fed a sodium-replete diet. Meloxicam is a popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in cats, but there are few studies on the effect of this drug on feline kidney function. Plasma clearance of iohexol is used as a marker of renal glomerular filtration rate. Six healthy adult neutered male cats were studied in the masked, randomized, crossover study and were administered either no treatment or meloxicam. The studies were performed before the treatment began (baseline) and on the final day of treatment (5 days later). The results of the study indicated that meloxicam did not measurably alter GFR in healthy, hydrated, conscious cats. Additional studies looking at the effects of NSAIDs on GFR in cats with decreased actual or effective circulating blood volume or with renal disease is needed. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Gunew, M.N., V.H. Menrath, and R.D. Marshall, Long-term safety, efficacy and palatability of oral meloxicam at 0.01-0.03 mg/kg for treatment of osteoarthritic pain in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2008. 10(3): p. 235-241.
>> PubMed Abstract

Lascelles, B.D., et al., Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cats: a review. Vet Anaesth Analg, 2007. 34(4): p. 228-50.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook

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Cat-Coyote Interactions

Grubbs, SE and Krausman, P.R. Observations of Coyote–Cat Interactions. Journal of Wildlife Management 73(5):683–685; 2009

Coyotes pose a threat to domestic pets in some urban areas. In Tucson, AZ, the Humane Society has a "Safe Cats" campaign to encourage owners to keep cats indoors. These investigators, from the University of Arizona and the University of Montana, examined the interactions between coyotes and cats for four months in the Tucson area. They captured, radio-collared, and tracked eight coyotes. In tracking the coyotes for 790 hours over the four month period, 36 coyote-cat interactions were observed, with 19 involving the killing of a cat. The majority of interactions occurred in residential areas between sunset and sunrise during the pup rearing season. Most involved only one or two coyotes. The authors conclude that pet owners should keep their cats indoors for their protection from urban coyotes. [MK]
>> Article Abstract

Related articles:
Atwood C, Weeks HP, Gehring TM. Spatial ecology of coyotes along a suburban-to-rural gradient. Journal of Wildlife Management 68(4): 1000–1009; 2004.
>> Article Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook

Grubbs, SE and Krausman, P.R. Observations of Coyote–Cat Interactions. Journal of Wildlife Management 73(5):683–685; 2009

Coyotes pose a threat to domestic pets in some urban areas. In Tucson, AZ, the Humane Society has a "Safe Cats" campaign to encourage owners to keep cats indoors. These investigators, from the University of Arizona and the University of Montana, examined the interactions between coyotes and cats for four months in the Tucson area. They captured, radio-collared, and tracked eight coyotes. In tracking the coyotes for 790 hours over the four month period, 36 coyote-cat interactions were observed, with 19 involving the killing of a cat. The majority of interactions occurred in residential areas between sunset and sunrise during the pup rearing season. Most involved only one or two coyotes. The authors conclude that pet owners should keep their cats indoors for their protection from urban coyotes. [MK]
>> Article Abstract

Related articles:
Atwood C, Weeks HP, Gehring TM. Spatial ecology of coyotes along a suburban-to-rural gradient. Journal of Wildlife Management 68(4): 1000–1009; 2004.
>> Article Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook

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