UPDATE ON OLLIE’S PROGRESS
We are officially into day 15 of the 0.25 ml twice a day dosage. Ollie is being treated with metronidazole, which is working fabulously.
Ollie has a big appetite and gets to eat whatever she wants. Thank you so much for the love and support. 69 days to go.
My name is Beth Howell and I have been fostering cats/kittens in the Northeast area of Louisiana for 7 years now. As many know (and many don’t know), fostering animals is not easy - it not only can be mentally and physically draining but also financially.
This GoFundMe account is to raise money for one of my foster kittens, Ollie. She will need 84 days of Molnupiravir and additional bloodwork to monitor protein levels. Hopefully, nothing more. Her ER visit was $292.03, and the first 60-day supply of Molnupiravir was $104.25 and $30 to expedite the compound drug UPS (next day). I also still owe Neighborhood Vet for 3 days of critical care, where they administered fluids and monitored Ollie in order to keep her alive until we could receive the Molnupiravir. This account is also made to raise awareness of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in cats/kittens. Any monies left we would like to pay it forward to another foster or pet that is in need, due to FIP.
This is Ollie’s story. It is long and detailed, so please bear with me and read until the end.
Sunday, December 1st, Premier Pet Emergency Clinic:
My foster kitten, Ollie, was not eating and was very lethargic. Combo test negative, blood work indicated protein levels higher than normal. Discussed FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) which has been, until recently, a death sentence and a painful one. All I could think of was having to euthanize.
I wanted my personal vet to have a look at the blood work before I made any decisions about ending Ollie’s 4-month-old life.
Sunday was the last time Ollie was able to walk on her own. By Monday, she could hardly hold her head up.
Monday, December 2nd:
I took Ollie to Neighborhood Vet for fluids and critical care. I honestly did not expect her to live through the day. You mentally prepare yourself for the worst. Dr. Keri A. Cataldo was so encouraging and after getting Molnupiravir ordered and expedited for next day delivery, Dr. Keri stated, “We will just continue critical care and do what we have to do to keep Ollie alive until we receive the meds.”
I took Ollie home at the end of the day, expecting her to die but hoping I would get to bring her back to Neighborhood Vet on Tuesday.
Tuesday, December 3rd:
After stalking the UPS driver and receiving the Molnupiravir, I drove to Neighborhood Vet. Ollie received her first dose of Molnupiravir (.25 ml) at about 1:30 pm.
Exactly 1 week from this past Tuesday (12/10) and after 16 doses of .25 ml of Molnupiravir, Ollie is climbing cat trees, scaling couches, and playing with other foster siblings. Her appetite is great! I would have NEVER expected this compound drug to save Ollie’s life.
I know we still have a journey ahead of us and I pray Ollie continues to improve. We have close to 80 days of treatment left. Blood work must be done every 3-4 weeks to monitor levels. So much is still “unknown” about FIP (there are three types: wet, dry, or ocular).
Ollie’s victories are for the pets and fosters who are diagnosed after her. I know pet owners who were not given the option to treat their family pets and euthanized because there was no treatment less than 6 months ago.
There is HOPE. Ollie is proof there is hope! She was picked up by Animal Control (OPAS) from Ollie’s off of Louisville Ave., in Monroe, Louisiana in September of this year. We thought she may have ridden under a car to that location.
She has always had a slight right eye droop but was a normal kitten otherwise until November 28, 2024 (Thanksgiving Day).
I am so thankful for Dr. Keri. She never wavered, and it made me a better advocate for Ollie. I had heard of FIP and thought I may have lost another foster to this virus, but because of Dr. Keri’s recommendations/advice, Ollie is here today and we are learning so much from this sweet baby about FIP.