My name is Gemma, and I'm an F6 SBT Savannah cat. I was born on June 12, 2020, and I'm a bit unique--not my breed, as there are many Savannahs like me, but my personality is what stands out! My mom is Leanne Gibson.

I arrived at my new home on August 29, 2020. I'm a support companion for my "new" older brother Lex, an F4 SBT Savannah rescue cat (from the same breeder) who suffers from severe anxiety. Being a support companion means I must have a specific temperament. I stand my ground yet know when my brother needs me to keep him calm. I'm perfect in every way for this, and Lex and I bonded instantly and rely on each other for entertainment, socializing, and support. Savannahs have lots of energy! We're intelligent and have a knack for getting into trouble! Lex and I love to play chase; it's our favorite game. Mom calls it "the zoomies." Little did I know I was about to be the one who needed the support.

In May 2021, just before my first birthday, mom came home from work and found me limping. She thought I'd injured myself, so we went to the doctor, and they gave me some medicine for pain and told mom to watch me. I was tired and wanted to sit on mom's lap and sleep. Mom became nervous about my energy level and how I didn't want to eat much. Lex, my brother, lay with me during the day while mom was at work. 

A couple of weeks later (at the end of May), mom thought my eyes appeared crossed. And she was right--my left eye wasn't working very well. I still lay on her lap because she feels warm and comfy. She also said my eye wasn't reflecting light, and it was hazy. She took me back to the doctor, and they suspected I'd either hit my head or scratched my eye. The vet took my blood and gave me some medicine and eye drops. I'm not too fond of either, but I let my mom give them to me. In a few days, I felt a little better. Almost as soon as I felt better, my eye became worse, and my head hurt—I cried when they'd touch it. Mom was frantic, and back to the doctor I went. They drew blood to run lots of tests, but nothing told the doctor what was wrong. 

My first birthday was June 12, 2021, and by the end of July, we were using two different drops in my eye four times a day and two kinds of antibiotics—but none of it was working. Mom was getting more worried, and she started staying home from work to be with me. She petted me and spoke to me softly. My vet sent me to see a specialist in the city. In the middle of August, my eye wasn't as cloudy, but it had sunken, and my third eyelid became visible. Dr. Loracca, my eye doctor, said I had an infectious disease but was unsure sure which one. So I had more blood tests and different drops again! He told mom that he'd see me in two weeks. 

The vet took more blood to test for Feline Infectious Perientitous (FIP) at my two-week appointment. My initial blood results had shown elevated protein and anemia. My mom was now super sad because FIP is a terrifying diagnosis. The doctor immediately put us on the right track to get me started on a brand new treatment for FIP—GS441524.

On September 1, before we even had the official confirmation, I received my first shot to start the FIP treatment. FIP is a somewhat rare disease in cats. Only 5-10 percent of the cat population get what I have, and up until now, it's always been fatal. I have the Ocular dry form of FIP. No wonder my mommy was so scared! But we're fighters, and she says I'm a warrior. The shots hurt, and I hide when I know they're coming. Treatment isn't fun, but it only took a few days to start feeling like myself. I'm eating and playing with my brother now. I'm also becoming sassy again, which makes mommy happy! In late October, I was up two pounds to almost ten pounds. I have a long journey ahead of me, but I'm doing great and hope to one day be an advocate for FIP--and the cure!

The cost to diagnose the FIP was $2000.00, and the drug cost is $9840.

Gemma received shots for three weeks then switched to pills with shots 1-2 times per week. She was getting too many sores on her little body. She still has two bald spots. Initially, Gemma only weighed seven pounds, so treatment for the shots was $585.00 for two weeks. When she gained weight, the pills ran $900.00 for two weeks. By the middle of November, her pills were $22.00 each x eight per day for a total of $126.00 per day for five weeks. Her bad eye is lazier than her good eye, and it looks slightly hazy in the right light or from an angle sometimes. The eye specialist will determine if she has some virus left or if it's permanently damaged. Currently, she weighs ten pounds and is healthy, except for her eye. If she has to go back on meds, the high cost continues. The emotional and financial strain is paralyzing. I can't imagine losing her and am fearful of a relapse or the need for more treatment beyond the 12 weeks. Posted below are Gemma’s labs, ocular testing results, and photos that might help others with this complicated diagnosis. Ocular and neurological FIP is the most difficult form to treat.

Gemma'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.