F2 Savannah Cat Munchie’s Effusive FIP Journey to a Cure

January 1, 2022 Vicki Pelcak

Our family (Marc, Vicki, Rayna, 17, and Amber 10) got our first Savannah in June 2019, an F6 we named "Calvin." He bonded well with our Domestic Short Hair (DSH), "Pancake," who at the time was about ten. In April 2020, we decided to get Calvin a playmate. Calvin was very energetic, and Pancake couldn't keep up with him. Marc has always wanted Savannahs, so since we had good luck with our F6, we decided to get an F2 (although I was slightly nervous from everything I'd read). We found our boy--now known as "Munch" or "Munchie" from a breeder through a Savannah cat Facebook group and we instantly fell in love with him!

After signing our contract, we learned Munch had an umbilical hernia that needed repair. Our breeder took care of that at the same time as his neuter. She also said he'd injured a toenail on his front paw a week or two later, and the nail stuck out, unable to retract—and it still doesn’t retract. Munchie had a rough start, but we paid the full price for him, despite his issues. Spending so much money on a pet who started with several problems made us nervous--but it was too late--we were in love with him. When it was finally time for him to come home on June 14, 2020, I called the flight nanny we used for Calvin to transport Munchie from CA to our NJ home. Our entire family (including Calvin and Pancake) bonded instantly with Munchie. He is such a character and so full of love.

On Sunday, September 12, 2021, Munchie wasn't as active as usual. He was lying around and was still the same come Monday. When I returned from work, I called my fantastic vet, only to learn he'd retired (he's young and chose to get out of the business!) I was devastated, but I took him to another vet at the same practice on Tuesday. Shockingly, he'd lost two pounds since March--and probably more since he was only one year old at that time. He had a fever, and his lungs sounded harsh, so the vet drew blood and took x-rays. Come to find out; there was fluid outside of his lungs. At this point, she was concerned about Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and collected a sample of the fluid. She said FIP fluid is usually sticky, but Munchie’s didn't seem like FIP fluid. While waiting for answers (they were very busy at the vet office), I searched the web to learn about FIP, and that's when I also found the FIP Warriors 5.0 Facebook page.

It was a rollercoaster ride from that point. The vet sent us home with antibiotics and a $750 bill. The bloodwork came back the next day, suggesting FIP. The vet wanted to send the fluid for a PCR test to fully confirm ($350), so I gave the "ok." I didn't know what else to do at that point as Munchie was no better, lethargic, with labored breathing, a fever, and no appetite.

I reached out to FIP Warriors 5.0. We were welcomed to the group and assigned an administrator. Our admin was very patient and answered a ton of questions. She explained there was no time to waste waiting for the fluid test results, that his labs were "classic FIP." She also told me the antiviral medication (GS-441524) wouldn't hurt him even if it weren't FIP (which she was confident it was). After we decided to treat Munchie, we joined a Facebook Messenger emergency group to find the medication locally since it would otherwise take a few days to arrive--and we most likely didn't have a few days. We were in a life-or-death situation, so if we didn't take the chance and trust the FIP Warriors, we could lose Munchie.

As luck would have it, another FIP Warrior member, Dawn, lived less than two miles from us! We went to her house and purchased our first vial of GS-441524, the antiviral Chinese replica used to cure the cats of the 2017 drug trial at UCDavis in California. She also gave us the needed supplies (syringes etc.) and support to get started. Her cat had just graduated from his 84 days of observation, fully cured and full of energy, which made us very hopeful for Munch.

We returned home with our vial of medication, but I couldn't get in touch with my admin until near midnight to determine his calculated dose (based on his weight). My husband and I were so scared to give him the injection. Dawn, who supplied us with the medication, was willing to come over at midnight to help in any way she could and our neighbor, a nurse, came over to help too! We could already see improvement by the next day after just one dose--it was amazing! The following day (Friday), I posted in local groups on Facebook looking for a vet technician to help us. A tech, Keri, replied, willing to take this journey with us! We paid her $10 a day, and it was so worth it. Keri gave Munchie his second injection, but he still had a fever and labored breathing. However, when Kerri returned to provide him with his third injection, she was shocked by his improvement! And every day, moving forward, Munchie improved. Our vet called back with the positive PCR a week later (she knew I was treating him because I'd notified the office). I don't think she believed me when I told her his breathing was better.

Munchie gained back two pounds during those first few months of treatment. Although everything happened quickly, we realize this must've been brewing for quite a while. How did we not notice he'd lost two pounds? He became more energetic than he'd been in a long time, but I guess it just seems like the norm when things happen slowly over time.

Munch gets labwork every four weeks during his 84 days of treatment and 84 days of observation. Below is a spreadsheet I kept of his labs to date, compared to the initial set at the time of diagnosis. We don't have many pictures that show the dramatic changes since I didn't think to take photos of him so sick and then have turned around so quickly! The photos below show the visual improvements he’s made (the left is at diagnosis, and the right is now).

Munchie is now a big, healthy boy at almost 21 pounds. We are forever grateful to the FIP Warriors 5.0 volunteers! His GS dosage was 2.8ml daily, and there are 5.0 ml in each $95 vial. Although this was an expensive journey, it's been beyond worth it to have our boy happy and healthy! He's currently in his observation period, another 84 days. Below is the breakdown of the cost to treat Munchie with the Lucky Brand of GS. The total for everything was approximately $7500.

$1150 Vet (@diagnosis)
$4500 for the GS
$850 Vet Tech
$1050 for diagnostic lab work and follow-up

Munchie’s Paypal fundraising link is HERE and all help is deeply appreciated.

Editor’s note: When considering the purchase of a Savannah (or any pedigreed kitten or cat), confirm with your breeder that your contract’s health guarantee includes FIP and carefully review the terms. FIPV is a genetic mutation of the Feline Coronavirus (FECV) and is not transmitted between cats or from the environment. While it does take a significant stressor (new home, new cats, surgery, shelter life, etc.) and active FECV, FIP can’t occur without a genetic component (mutation). No breeder can predict FIP, but it can be prevented by removing cats who produce FIP kittens from their breeding lines. The cause of FIP is well-documented in the research by Dr. Niels Pedersen and others and while not common, it is 100% fatal without the help of GS441524.

Despite the success of the Chinese GS441524, many veterinarians are still unaware of this treatment and, due to ethics and their inability to obtain and prescribe GS, can’t legally/ethically prescribe this treatment—but it can be "suggested” if the owner is willing to do the footwork as described in this article. You're at the mercy of strangers in a Facebook group that what you're getting is indeed a legitimate drug and that it will work and the FIP Warriors 5.0 group has had immense success in connecting owners with the proper drug sources.

Help SAVANNAHGANS® Grow and Reach Every Savannah Cat-Owning Household! All support is humbly appreciated (visit the clickable underlined links).