Lifesaving FIP Treatment for Pico

Hi, my name is Becca and I am fundraising for our foster kitten, Pico. We have taken care of Pico since he came into our home on December 2, 2022 at five weeks old. He was small and weak and slept all day and struggled to gain weight. After many tests and medications he was diagnosed with Feline Infectious Peritonitis, more commonly known as FIP.

FIP is a mutation of the feline enteric coronavirus that is fatal without treatment. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments but an experimental drug does exist that has helped thousands of cats be cured and go on to live healthy, normal lives. Thankfully we have been provided access to this drug and have been treating Pico with a daily injection for the last five months. Unfortunately, Pico's first course of treatment did not fully cure him so we are currently on a second round of treatments at a higher dosage. We are seeing amazing results on this higher dosage and he is steadily gaining weight and has lots of energy to play with other kitties and get big and strong to beat this horrible disease.

The rescue that we foster for, Nashville Cat Rescue, generously provided for his first seven vials of medication and pays for all of his bloodwork and vet visits. However, due to the length of Pico's treatment and his growing size, we have had to pay for the rest of his medication out of our own pockets. Each vial costs $71 and at his current dosage we only get 3-4 days of treatment per vial. We have spent $1,775 of our own money to treat Pico, which does not even include all of the kitten food and supplies we have purchased during his extended stay with us.

We will do anything and everything it takes to save him and will never give up. Any money donated to Pico's cause goes directly towards the purchase of his lifesaving medication. Thank you for supporting us as fosters and for helping to save Pico's life!

Pico when he was first diagnosed, before treatment started. He was lethargic, anorexic, and in very rough shape.

After 12 days of daily injections he had gained 6 ounces and his eyes were bright and clear again.

On the 30th day of treatment he finally passed the 3 lb mark!

After 67 days of treatment Pico was doing well but still underweight. We now believe he should have been on a higher dose for his "dry" type of FIP.

After 84 days of daily injections Pico moved into the observation phase. Unfortunately, after one week off the medication he relapsed and began to quickly lose weight and energy. Pico began a second round of treatment at a higher dosage for eight weeks and quickly gained back all the weight he had lost.

Pico is now almost 6 lbs and loving life (including a short, supervised visit to the fenced-in front yard). We are in the 6th week of his relapse treatment and he has been the very best boy despite the painful daily injections.