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Hi everyone,
We’re reaching out for help for our kitten Umi, who has recently been diagnosed with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) — a disease that was once considered fatal, but now has a high survival rate with the right antiviral treatment.
Umi is a rescue kitten, adopted from Rescue Cats of Melbourne in May 2025, and she is currently 9 months old. She has the sweetest temperament and quickly became an irreplaceable part of our family.
How this started
We first noticed something was wrong on Boxing Day, when Umi’s eye became irritated with a strange line in her right eye as seen in the below photo. As it worsened in the second photo we took her to the vet, where they suspected cat flu / feline herpes and started her on Acular eye drops and doxycycline paste.
Despite treatment, her eye worsened — becoming cloudy with an enlarged pupil. We returned to the vet in the first week of January, where Metacam was prescribed for inflammation. Unfortunately, she vomited after this medication. While the Acular temporarily reduced the cloudiness, the improvement did not last.
When the Acular ran out in late January, Umi had a significant rebound. Albeit less cloudy, her eye became enlarged (both eye and pupil), and she became lethargic and began to eat less.
Specialist diagnosis
On Wednesday 21st, we took her back to the vet, who urgently referred us to a veterinary specialist (ophthalmologist) for a visit the same day. They informed us that Umi had developed symptoms consistent with uveitis and glaucoma. and were told the eye was likely no longer functional. Blood tests were taken during this visit. They also recommended that the eye be taken out as it would likely not recover and were unsure of the cause, with the bloods hopefully providing us a reason.
The following day (Thursday 22nd), we were informed that her bloodwork showed a severely abnormal albumin/globulin ratio, strongly suggestive of ocular FIP. We were urgently referred to a specialist FIP veterinarian and attended that appointment on Friday 23rd, where the diagnosis, treatment plan, and costs were explained.
What FIP treatment involves
The recommended treatment from the specialty vet is GS-441524, an antiviral medication that has shown extremely high success rates (85–95%) when given consistently. Treatment must be given every day for a minimum of 84 days, with regular blood tests to ensure the dosage is effective and adjusted as needed.
While this medication is already used by veterinarians in other countries, it is not subsidised in Australia, meaning the full cost must be paid out of pocket. Because FIP can progress rapidly, treatment must begin as soon as possible once diagnosed.
Where we are now
Eye photo as of Friday 23rd Jan (following specialist FIP vet visit).
FIP has caused severe inflammation in Umi’s eye, leading to uveitis, glaucoma, and vision loss. While she is still eating and affectionate, she is more lethargic, and without antiviral treatment, her condition is expected to be fatal as she is extremely anemic and highly inflamed as a result of the virus.
We have already spent approximately $2,500 on vet visits, emergency care, blood tests, and specialist consultations. Given the rapid onset of the disease, and as a current university student, the financial burden of ongoing treatment has been overwhelming and completely unexpected for myself and my partner.
Treatment Plan & Estimated Costs
GS-441524 Oral Antiviral Medication
- Daily dosing for at least 84 days
- Minimum of ~5 bottles required (it is expected that as improvement occurs, she will put on weight and require higher doses + more bottles).
- ~$765 incl. GST per bottle
Estimated: $4,000–$5,000
- Ongoing Veterinary & Specialist Care
- Regular blood tests (every 4–6 weeks)
- Follow-up appointments
- Dosage increases depending on response
Estimated: $1,000–$2,000
- Eye Management & Potential Surgery
- Ongoing treatment for glaucoma and uveitis
- Possible eye removal if pain cannot be controlled and eye swelling doesn't subside
Estimated: $2,000–$3,000
Total Estimated Cost: $8,000–$10,000
How your support helps
Every dollar raised will go directly toward:
- Life-saving antiviral medication
- Ongoing blood tests and monitoring to ensure treatment is working
- Managing complications from FIP, including severe eye disease
Umi is still fighting — she eats, seeks comfort, and shows flashes of her playful self but has recently shown herself to be extremely weak and is sleeping all day. Unfortunately it is a Public Holiday this weekend and we are not receiving the antiviral treatment till Tuesday, and we are monitoring her constantly in the off-chance she deteriorates further and requires emergency IV treatment before the antiviral treatment arrives. FIP is aggressive, and early, consistent treatment is critical. This treatment represents her only real chance at survival.
We understand times are tough, and any support — whether donating or sharing — means more than we can express. Thank you for taking the time to read Umi’s story and for helping our young rescue kitten with a chance to live.
Thank you,
Eunseo and Newton.
❤️
