Please Give Rosie a Fighting Chance Against FIP

Greetings!

We are Pawel & Anna and this is our adopted girl Rosie who is FeLV positive and recently got diagnosed with ocular FIP. We are starting this fundraiser to help offset the unexpected growing medical costs associated with her treatment. We also have three other cats and an infant. We are beyond grateful that there is a way to treat this once fatal virus for felines.

What is FIP?

Feline infectious peritonitis virus, or FIP, was previously a death sentence and affects about 10% of cats. FIP is caused by a feline coronavirus that has undergone mutations. FIP was fatal up until 2024, when a breakthrough treatment showing great success was formed using a miracle antiviral drug GS-441524 (GS).

Treatment with GS-441524

GS has a success rate above 80% in fighting FIP for otherwise healthy cats! It is an 84-day treatment period of daily medication and vet visits every two weeks for weighing the kitty and getting ongoing bloodwork done (at 6-10, and 10-12 weeks). The medication cost estimate is $2,000 - not including the vet check-ups or bloodwork.

Meet Rosie

Rosie is 3 years old and is the sweetest and very loving cat and adored by us. We want to give her a fighting chance at beating FIP.

Rosie was adopted on 10/24/22 healthy but diagnosed with FeLV during her adoption blood work.

She quickly made friends with the other cats, but Olive is her bestie.

Rosie is a gentle soul who doesn’t scratch or bite—she’s the perfect kitty. Unfortunately, her health began to decline on 3/21/25, when her eye started tearing excessively. At first, the vet suspected allergies, but the next day, after she showed alarming signs of distress, we took her in for a recheck. After additional tests, the vet updated the diagnosis to uveitis. Prednisolone acetate 1% was prescribed and applied three times a day for three weeks. The cloudiness in her eye began to clear, and we were hopeful.

On week four the cloudy eye returned and progressed at an alarming rate! We returned to the same vet on 4/17/25 and after additional test, we were told to stick to Prednisolone. Two days later, it was clear to us that the meds are not working and we need a specialist. We booked the only available appointment within reasonable timeframe (5 days) with the specialists in San Antonio. Rosie was declining, lethargic and in visible pain.

On 4/20/25 we took her to the Emergency Hospital in hopes to get some answers and better treatment. Her vitals were checked, and normal. The doctors suggested to continue Prednisolone and prescribed an oral antibiotic for a potential secondary infection.

Rosie was not responding to the medication. On 4/21/25, Anna decided to just go to an ophthalmologist office in Austin, without an appointment (the nearest appointment at that office was a month away) hoping for some luck. The ophthalmologist was able to see Rosie and after the examination and blood collection for tests prescribed antibiotic drops, gabapentin, and discontinued Prednisolone.

Rosie's condition did not improve, she was lethargic and had an episode of gushing liquid from the eye. We were back at the specialist on 4/24/2005 where the condition was upgraded to a melting ulcer and additional meds were prescribed. A day later the bloodwork came back positive for Corona Virus, low white cell count, and normal vitals. The differential diagnoses pointed to Ocular FIP.

We immediately ordered treatment. The medication (i.e., GS) arrived on 4/26/25 and we started treatment immediately. On day-4 (4/29/2025) of the GS treatments Rosie was showing slight signs of improvement.

But in the evening of 4/29/25 Rosie had another episode of gushing liquid from her eye. She was vocal. The discharge was bloody. We brought her into the Emergency Hospital again. The doctor determined that the eye has ruptured and was beyond saving.

Rosie stayed overnight in the Emergency Hospital while we consulted with the ophthalmologist. We were devastated to find out that the eye needed to be removed and we had to act quickly to avoid infection. Particularly given her low white blood cell count. The surgery was scheduled for 4/30/25. Rosie will need ongoing blood monitoring and check-ins to ensure she has a fighting chance, and we need help to give Rosie that chance.

Rosie got her surgery on 4/30/25 after spending 24 hours in the Emergency Hospital. She is in good spirits and recovering at home.

We are grateful to everyone reading our story and helping give Rosie a chance at life. We will continue to update this post with her progress.