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FIP Warrior:

Gryskat

We rescued this precious boy about a year and a half ago. He has had a rough life, living on the streets. We immediately had him neutered. It was quite amazing how quickly he adjusted to his new life, it was as if he just breathed a sigh of relief and finally allowed himself to relax into a new comfortable, and secure lifestyle. Even though he has free access to a garden, he acts as if he has 'had enough' of the great outdoors, and will only follow us and walk in the garden if we accompany him.

This precious boy has an enormous personality, and he is the epitome of a large loving kitty. He loves cuddling and will head bump us for head skreetches. He gives us great emotional and mental comfort. I was feeling very ill a few months ago, and I recall how he jumped onto my lap in great consternation and pushed his wet nose over and over into my face. I felt how distressing it was to him. He laid on or near me during the entire time of recovery.

It is now my turn to reciprocate and take care of my little furbaby. We have been noticing that our big boy has been slowly declining the last few months. His coat became thinner and oily. A few weeks ago his belly swelled up noticeably, and his appetite declined until it stopped entirely. We took him for numerous tests to a specialist in our nearest city and received the distressing diagnosis of 'wet FIP'.

FIP is caused by the Feline Coronavirus and has been a death sentence for cats until very recent medical advances in the study of COVID-19 have delivered promising treatment. My big brave boy had to stay for 8 days in veterinary care with forced feedings through a feeding tube whilst we took the steps to obtain the medication and start treatment.

He has now been home for more than a week, and we have to continue treatment at home. Treatment consists of a daily subcutaneous injection, which can be quite painful. This treatment has to continue for at least 84 days!

The good news is that the treatment is working! Gryskat improved from the get-go, and is now virtually indistinguishable from a normal healthy cat! His energy and alertness levels have improved tremendously. He has a ginormous appetite. He is grooming himself, playing and cuddling, and enjoying his best possible life at home. My wish is that he reaches a ripe old age spent in a state of happiness and bliss - basking in the sun, purring under the blankets in winter, and bringing joy to our existence every day with his larger-than-life personality.

But it is insanely expensive!

We are now on day 20 of treatment, and the road is still long. However, I am positive that Gryskat is on the path to full recovery. Treatment is insanely expensive. A vial of medicine costs more than R1,000, and lasts approximately 3.2 days. On top of this cost are the enormous veterinary bills, regular check-ups, and blood tests, as well as a huge account for the 8-day specialist care that he had received at the onset. These costs are truly crippling and are far beyond my salary's capabilities. I need to be able to carry on with treatment for the full 84 days.

This treatment for FIP is truly very new, and we are pioneers in a treatment avenue that will potentially save thousands upon thousands of beloved pets in the future. FIP kills on average 1 to 1.5% of all felines. Three or four years ago we would've had no hope. It is exactly at this juncture in time that we have hope, which is a miracle in itself. We also have the perseverance and the commitment to see this through.

Gryskat deserves to live his best possible life until a ripe and old age.

UPDATE: Gryskat completed treatment and observation in 2022 and is a healthy happy cured FIP Warrior and Survivor1

FIP WARRIOR AND SURVIVOR