New FIP Treatment

 

Frankie, enjoying our front porch in better days

Molnupiravir Shows Promise in Treating FIP Cats

Feline Infectious Peritonitis -- more commonly known as FIP. It's the diagnosis no cat parent ever wants to receive. Caused by a relatively benign feline coronavirus as ubiquitous as the common cold in humans, in some cats it morphs into a three-stage spiral toward death -- like syphilis in humans. It most commonly claims cats under two years old, but can also affect older cats in rare cases. 

FIP can manifest in several ways: 

• effusive - the "wet" form that produces three stages: upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, and the chest or abdominal cavity filling with fluid
• non-effusive - the "dry" form that causes granuloma-type tumors on the major organs
• neurological - a dry form of the disease, made worse due to the blood-brain barrier being ineffective at preventing the virus from infiltrating the cerebrospinal fluid, forming lesions in the central nervous system (CNS, brain and spine)
• ocular - another dry form of FIP causing eye lesions that are often the first noticeable symptom, due to the virus infecting the aqueous humor of the eyes; may also be accompanied by brain lesions

My FIP Experience

Our own beloved Frankie, pictured above, was several years old when he started showing symptoms of what appeared to be an upper respiratory infection that wouldn't go away. Several months later, he developed what our vet diagnosed as pancreatitis, and we had to put him on a special diet for it. Less than a year after that, I looked down at him from above and he looked like a cartoon bodybuilder: slim in the hips but HUGE in the chest area. He was also short of breath and panting for air. I rushed him to the emergency vet, where they drained a lot of fluid from his chest that they said was "teeming with bacteria." He was in the hospital for a week, but died there on a Sunday morning. 

In just under two years after the first stage, Frankie was gone. But that was in 2009, before there was any hope of a different outcome. We could only guess based on his symptoms that FIP was what claimed him, since there was not even an accurate test for FIP then; most kittens are exposed to the coronavirus when very young and have no lasting effects, meaning that even asymptomatic cats will test positive for its antibodies. Not to mention that its first two stages presented as something else. Many cats who actually have FIP have been incorrectly diagnosed with, and treated for, systemic toxoplasmosis or deep fungal infections. There was simply no way to know. Testing for FIP is still a hit-or-miss process; there is no real blood or tissue test that will identify it as the culprit.

The First Hope: GS Treatment

Thankfully, due to a protease-inhibiting drug known as GS-441524, FIP is no longer an automatic death sentence for cats. It's finally treatable! Treatment is lengthy -- up to twelve weeks, followed by a twelve-week observation period -- and pricey, in the thousands of dollars. Dosages and length of treatment vary depending on the cat's age and how far the disease has progressed.

Both veterinarians and cat parents at home are successfully using GS to treat FIP cats. It's available for injection and also in pill form. The injections are recommended for cats who have begun to experience the second-stage gastrointestinal symptoms. Mutian makes the most common brand of the drug. 

Some study participants supplemented the GS with steroids or vitamins B1 or B12, while others also gave gabapentin along with it. More than a quarter of study participants also supplemented the treatment with subcutaneous fluids. The only side effects appeared to be pain and wounds or lesions at the injection site. The treatment did not prove as effective against the ocular or neurological forms of FIP due to the blood-brain barrier preventing it from getting to the location of the problem, but it was more effective against the wet form.

So, what if GS treatment doesn't work for your cat? Over 96% of the 393 cats in the leading study on GS survived, but only 54% of them were considered to be cured of the disease. Close to 13% of them suffered a relapse during the observation period included in the study. What if your kitty goes into remission for a while, then starts experiencing FIP symptoms again? Can the GS series of treatments be used again? Is that advised?

A New Hope: Molnupiravir

In stepped the Every Cat Health Foundation with a grant to study another approach to treating FIP. The researchers announced their results recently, showing that the drug Molnupiravir is proving effective not only for recurring cases of FIP, but as an initial treatment for the disease. It can be given in lieu of additional GS treatment, as well, for cats who are not responding to the GS series of treatments within a few weeks. 

Length of treatment with Molnupiravir was similar to that for GS. Of the 26 cats studied, one relapsed did not survive. Another died from a prolonged seizure after treatment was completed. 92% showed improvement after only three weeks of treatment, over 84% in two weeks, and over 46% within one week. All but one continued treatment for the full term, until they reached the point of complete remission. One cat actually reached remission sooner.

Like the GS treatment, Molnupiravir is available in both injectable and pill forms. Aura makes two formulations of it, and it's reportedly more financially accessible than GS, although it will still set you back more than a few thousand dollars. It does have some occasionally reported side effects, so make sure to ask your veterinarian if it is safe for your cat and which of the two drugs may be the better approach. And keep in mind that the sample size for this study was relatively small, a tenth of the number of cats included in the GS study. Another field study of Molnupiravir included 286 cats, a comparable number to those in the main GS study, and delivered similar results, percentage-wise.

Hope, however, is now a reality. As Molnupiravir, or combined GS-Molnupiravir treatments for FIP become more widely known and used, we will learn more about its effectiveness. Interestingly enough, Molnupiravir is also being used to treat some humans with COVID-19, and GS-441524 is a component of the drug Remdesivir that's used to treat COVID-19. Turns out, we have more in common with our cats than we thought.

Sources: "New Study -- Molnupiravir as new therapeutic option for relapsed FIP cats" published November 7, 2022 on Every Cat Foundation blog; Sarah Jones, Wendy Novicoff, Julie Nadeau, and Samantha Evans, "Unlicensed GS-441524-Like Antiviral Therapy Can Be Effective for Home Treatment of Feline Infectious Peritonitis" published July 30, 2021; Meagan Roy, Nicole Jacque, Wendy Novicoff, Emily Li, Rosa Negash, and Samantha J. M. Evans, "Unlicensed Molnupiravir is an Effective Rescue Treatment Following Failure of Unlicensed GS-441524-like Therapy for Cats with Suspected Feline Infectious Peritonitis" published October 20, 2022; Niels C. Pederson, DVM, PhD of UC Davis, "Neurological and ocular FIP" published April 29, 2019; Niels C. Pederson, DVM, PhD of UC Davis, "Alternative treatments for cats with FIP and natural or acquired resistance to GS-441524" published November 3, 2021; Khan Sharun, Ruchi Tiwari, and Kuldeep Dhama, "Protease inhibitor GC376 for COVID-19: Lessons learned from feline infectious peritonitis" published December 28, 2020

Cat-Safe Flowers For Your Garden

 

Photo: Pixabay

Cat-Safe Flowers

Today is St. Gertrude's Day, the patron saint of cats (although she's always eclipsed by that man). In her honor, why not give or plant some flowers that are safe for your cat to nibble?

Whether you're assembling a spring bouquet or planting your garden, you want to make sure that the flowers and plants you choose won't harm your cats. That's where the ASPCA's list of plants that are toxic and non-toxic to cats comes in handy. Access the full list at that link, but here are some selected flowers that will get you started. USDA hardiness zones are included, where available. (Zone recommendations vary widely between sources, so consult a local garden shop or master gardener if you're uncertain about the suitability of a plant for your own garden.)

If you run a garden shop, you can consult the ASPCA's list to make your customers aware of which plants are safe around their feline companions. Florists? These are flowers that are safe to include in your arrangements if your customer will be taking a bouquet to a friend or loved one who has a cat. There's an extra service you can offer to your customers!

The popular Gerber Daisy, Gerbera jamesonii, is also known as the Barberton Daisy, Veldt Daisy, African Daisy, or Transvaal Daisy. It's actually a perennial herb that comes in many colors and forms, courtesy of its many hybrids. They will grow year-round in zones 8-11, and in any climate during spring and summer.

The Camellia (Camellia japonica), also known as the Peony Camellia or Japanese Camellia, is also safe around cats. There are more than 2,000 cultivars of this plant, and its flowers can be various shades of pink, white, or speckled. These are winter-hardy in zones 7-10, while some cultivars of camellia will also survive in zone 8.

Coral Bells, Heuchera sanguinea, is native to Mexico and the American Southwest. Its flowers are deep pink to red, depending on the cultivar, and have a sweet fragrance. Also depending on cultivar, it can grow from 8 to 18 inches tall. This plant is hardy outdoors in zones 4-8 and attracts both bees and hummingbirds.

Cape Primrose, one of the Streptocarpus genus, has many cultivars yielding a wide range of colors: pink, white, violet, lavender, and variegated like the one shown here. There are even societies and online forums of people devoted to the various cultivars of these flowers. Hardy in zones 10-11. If grown indoors, place them in a sunny window to enjoy flowers for up to 10 months of the year.

Coreopsis, also known as Tickseed, is in the Compositae family. There are many varieties of it, producing either yellow or yellow-and-red flowers like those shown here. In addition to growing wild in North and South America, it is cultivated for gardens, is known to attract butterflies, and is a perennial plant in hardiness zones 4-9. 

The China Aster, Callistephus chinensis, has been cultivated into many color options including red, pink, blue, purple, and white. This one shown is its natural, wild color. An annual, it can be grown in zones 2-11.

This type of impatiens is known as Buzzy or Busy Lizzie or Patient Lucy, and is in the Balsaminaceae family. There are more than 1,000 species of impatiens that come in various colors. They have medicinal properties and are even an ingredient in the Bach Rescue Remedy tincture. Hardy in zones 10-11, where it is a perennial.

Blue Marguerite, also known as Felicia or Blue Daisy, has the botanical name of Felicia amelloidis. It's a perennial evergreen plant native to South Africa, but has been cultivated in Europe since the mid-1700s. Cold hardy in zones 8-11, it is easy to care for and is a perennial in zones 10-11, growing up to 2 feet tall and flowering throughout the summer and fall seasons.

Sanvitalia, better known as Creeping Zinnia, is native to North and Central America, so it will grow well in zones 2-10. There are many species of it that grow in different specific areas; zones for each species may differ. They are a good ground cover and will bloom through summer into early fall.

The striking and popular Snapdragon, Antirrhinum majus, is hardy in both hot and cold temperatures. Native to the Mediterranean region, it can be an annual, biennial, or perennial, flowering from spring to fall. Grow it from seeds or cuttings. This popular plant is also known as Lion's Mouth, Toad's Mouth, Rabbit's Mouth, Calf Snout, Bonny Rabbits, and Lion's Snap. It can grow up to 2 or 3 feet tall as a perennial in zones 7-10, or as an annual in other temperate regions, but it will not withstand frost.

Crossandra is a genus of flowering perennials with 54 individual species that flower in colors such as salmon, red, yellow, or pink. Native to Africa, Madagascar, Arabia, and India, they do well in zones 9-11 and grow up to 3 feet tall. Flowering occurs from late spring through early fall.

Here's a different snapdragon, the Sierra Snapdragon, Antirrhinum Multiflorum, also known as a Withered Snapdragon. It is an annual or perennial herb native to the California mountains, where it grows in the wild, often after fires. Its flowers come in pink, red, or purple. Recommended as a perennial in zones 8a-11.

Bachelor's Button, also known as Cornflower or Bluebottle, has the botanical name of Centaurea cyanus. These European wildflowers have been cultivated to produce flowers in white, pink, purple, and lavender. Hardy in zones 2-11, they bloom from May through July and grow to around 3 feet tall.

This delicate beauty is known as Willow Herb, Fireweed, or Blooming Sally with the botanical name Epilobium angustifolium. If planting it in your garden, it's friendly not only to cats, but enjoyed by pollinators and with wildlife. Its leaves can be dried and made into a caffeine-free tea and are also prized for their medicinal qualities. Herbaceous perennial is hardy in zones 2-8.

How about a lovely African Violet? This herbaceous perennial is also known as a Cape Marigold. They're native to cloud forests that are increasingly being cleared, so some varieties are now considered threatened. There are ten separate species of these plants, all in the Gesneriaceae family. They are hardy outdoors in zones 11-12, but are more often grown in pots as a house plant.

Celosia Plumosa, better known as Cockscomb, is native to India and Nepal, but has also been cultivated for the garden and those cultivars bloom in red, yellow, orange, pink, or white. Its relative, Celosia Spicata or Flamingo Feather, is another cat-safe option in a lovely pink. They are low-maintenance plants that can be grown as perennials in zones 10-12 and are placed in beds as annuals in colder zones.

Another type of violet, this one is known as the Persian Violet. Its botanical name is Exacum affine. Native to the humid tropics and subtropics, its pale purple flowers appear in spring and summer with bright yellow centers and a lovely fragrance. Use it in beds or as a ground cover in zones 10-12. It will grow 10-12 inches tall as an annual, or up to 2 feet tall as a houseplant. 

A popular addition to many bouquets is Baby's Breath or Maiden's Breath. This more open form of it is Gypsophila elegans, often included in mixtures of wildflower seeds. An annual, it will grow in zones 3-10, but the plants only live for 5-6 weeks. If you plant seeds for it every few weeks, you'll have continuous blooms in your garden.

If you're worried about using Baby's Breath, try Alyssum instead. Alyssum comes in over 100 varieties in yellow, white, pink, or purple and is in the Brassicaceae family. These prefer cooler temperatures and are hardy in zones 5-9 as a ground cover. Not terribly heat-tolerant, however. They grow up to around 6 inches tall, but spread around 9 inches.

Gloxinia perennis, also known as Canterbury Bell, has purple or lavender flowers that smell of mint...but they don't bloom until mid-summer. Plant this perennial in your garden in spring, and look for these lovelies in July. Native to Central and South America, it does best in zones 9-10. Plants get around 3 feet tall.

Also in the African violet family is Cyrtudeira (Episcia reptans), which is native to Central and South America. Other names for it include Flame African Violet, Frosty, Flame, Lady Lou, Red African Violet, or Acajou. This perennial has stunning leaves and tiny red flowers. Usually kept as a houseplant, these will survive outdoors in zones 10-11. They'll grow to about 8 inches tall and bloom in both spring and summer.

Because there are so many flowering plants on the ASPCA's list, this subject matter will be continued in later posts. I don't want to overwhelm you with too much information at once! These first 21 are a lovely assortment of colors, types, heights and textures of flowers.

Once all these posts are done, you may just be seeing them all compiled into a book about this. Let me know in the comments below if such a book would be of interest to you!

Sources include the ASPCA site linked to above as well as the websites for Wikipedia, Backyard Gardener, Plant Lust, Dave's Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden, Gardenia.net, Gardener's HQ, Gardening Knowhow, and Candide.

Images above are from the ASPCA site of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Easter Without Easter Lilies? Far Safer for Cats!

 

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/adorable-animal-cat-cat-s-eyes-236603/

Cat-Friendly Lilies? Yes, There Are!

Lilies are popular at this time of year as Easter approaches. But did you know that all parts of the Easter lily plant are highly toxic to cats? Indeed, even if your cat is not a nibbler of plants, a mere few grains of pollen from an Easter lily is enough to shut down kitty's kidneys. If that pollen gets on your cat's fur and kitty ingests it when grooming, you're going to have a very expensive vet bill at minimum and could even lose your feline friend!

To avoid a calamity, let's examine some alternative types of lilies to include in your Easter bouquet or to give as plants for Easter, courtesy of the ASPCA's list of plants that are toxic and non-toxic to cats. These options will keep you on your friend's good side by not killing their kitty when you take them a plant as an Easter gift. 

If you're a florist, this list will help you offer a service to your customers by offering cat-safe lilies. Planting a garden? These plants are among those that are safe for you to include if your cats will be enjoying the garden with you. 

Cat-Safe Lilies (and Lily-like Plants)

These lilies will brighten your Easter or your garden, while not endangering your cats:

Pretty good comparison for a starter, huh? This is the Queen's Cup, also known as the Bride's Bonnet or Bead Lily, Clintonia uniflora, which is safe around cats because it's not a true lily. It's a North American native that can be found from Alaska down to central California. Some Native American tribes use it medicinally or as a dye. A tiny thing, it only grows 6-10 inches tall and flowers from late May into July. (Alas, not at Easter time.)

Here's another very appropriate lily for cat lovers that's safe for cats to be around: it's the Leopard Lily (Lachenalia lilacina)! Native to Namibia and South Africa, this perennial plant that grows to around 8 inches in height produces drooping, tubular, spotted orange flowers from late winter into spring, then goes dormant for the summer.

Another spectacular option is the Scarborough Lily (Cyrtanthus elatus or Vallota speciosa). This South African native has several cultivars that produce red, orange, or yellow blooms from late summer into early fall. Some of the rarer ones may have pink or white flowers. They do well outdoors in zones 8-11 and grow up to 3 feet tall, but are also cultivated as a house plant.

Another cat-safe plant that's called a lily but isn't really one is the Canna Lily, Canna generalis. The 10 species of this tropical plant in the Cannaceae family come in colors ranging from red to yellow, orange, pink, and peach. Their foliage may also be quite spectacular. These plants also have many uses, from ornamentals to foods, dyes, paper fiber, as a substitute for jute, and are even used to make alcohol. It will grow well in zones 7-10 and can grow up to 3 to 5 feet tall.

 

The Saint Bernard's Lily or Spider Plant, Chlorophytum bichetti, produces lily-like leaves. It is native to Africa, Asia, and Australia. Outdoors, it will do well in zones 9-11, but many people use it in terrariums.

The Easter Lily Cactus, Echinopsis multiplex, produces pale pink lily-like flowers from late spring through summer (sorry, not at Easter time). It's also an actual lily, but isn't that bloom spectacular? Starting out around 6 inches, these cacti can grow up to 3 feet tall and do well in zones 8b-11b.

How about an Easter Daisy (Townsendia sericea)? These little cat-safe perennial herbal wildflowers are native to the central and western parts of North America. The plants only grow to around 7 inches tall, and the flowers that bloom from March-May are stemless, so you can't use them as cut flowers unless floating them in a shallow dish.

Who doesn't love an orchid, especially when it's safe around your kitties? The Easter Orchid (Cattleya mossiae) is known as one of the more fragrant orchids. Native to Central and South America, it is most often grown indoors, but can grow outside in zones 10-12. The plant grows 1-2 feet tall, and its spectacular blooms that appear in mid-spring can be up to 7 inches long.

Here's another cat-safe lily-like orchid: the Lily of the Valley Orchid (Odontoglossum pulchellum). Because these are native to higher elevations in Mexico and Central America, they actually like the temperature to be a little cool and flower from winter into spring. 

The Mariposa Lily (Calochortus gunnisonii), also known as the Gunnison's Mariposa Lily or Sego Lily, is in the lily family, but is not toxic to cats. A native wildflower found at high elevations (over 6,500 feet) in the western United States, the plant grows to almost 2 feet tall and flowers from June to August. It has been cultivated and will grow outdoors in zones 3-7.

This showy beauty is a Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria), also known as a Lily of the Incas or Princess Lily. It's a perennial that grows well in zones 7-10, can reach 2 to 3 feet in height and blooms from late spring to early fall. Over 100 hybrids and cultivars of this plant produce blooms in apricot, orange, pink, red, white, and yellow with various types of markings on them. They do well as cut flowers and  with proper watering can last for up to two weeks before wilting.

The Prairie Lily (Zephyranthes drummondii) is also called the Giant Rain Lily, Evening Rain Lily, or Hill Country Rain Lily. It grows well in zones 7-9, reaching about 1 foot in height. It only blooms for a short time, from late April through early May.

Another cat-safe "lily that's not a lily" is the Red Palm Lily (Cordyline rubra). An Australian native, it produces these lovely red-and-green leaves. Lilac-colored blooms appear in summer, which turn into red berries once pollinated. While not widely cultivated, it is hardy in zones 10 and above, and can grow up to 13 feet tall. They are most often sold as houseplants.

What could be more perfect for Easter than the Resurrection Lily (Kaempferia)? A relative of ginger, this genus of cat-safe plants is also sometimes called Peacock Ginger and has over 100 specific types, all native to southeast Asia. It does well outdoors in zones 8 and above and produces leaves that grow around 18 inches tall. Its delicate flowers are quite fragrant. The Resurrection Lily blooms from late May through June. Too late for Easter, but it could make a lovely gift as a plant, with its blooms as a nice surprise later in the spring.

Speaking of ginger, White Ginger (Hedychium choronarium), also known as Ginger Lily, Butterfly Ginger, Cinnamon Jasmine, or Garland Flower, produces a fragrant, lily-like flower from late summer into early fall. The plant can grow from 3-6 feet tall, and is native to India, the Himalayas, China, Taiwan, and southeast Asia...but it is the national flower of Cuba! It grows well in zones 8-10, but if heavily mulched in winter, it may also survive in zone 7.

What? Purple lilies? Yes, when they're Turf Lilies (Liriope muscari), also known as Lilyturf or Monkey Grass. This plant is native to China, Japan, and Korea, where it grows in shady forests. It is not recommended for North America, as it is considered to be an invasive plant, but it is cultivated for gardens in zones 5-10. The leaves grow 1-1.5 feet tall, with flower spike of 6-8 inches tall emerging in late summer into fall.  

If you go on outdoor adventures with your cat (What? Some people do.), you may encounter the Sand Lily (Leucocrinum montanum). Also known as the Mountain Lily or Common Star Lily, this is a wildflower native to the western United States. A low-growing perennial, it grows on the dry prairies, scrub flats, grasslands, sagebrush deserts, and mountain meadows. Safe for cats to nibble, it's also a favorite snack of rabbits and deer. It's a tiny plant, only growing to about 6 inches tall. Blooms appear from April through June, after which the plant wilts back to the ground.

The Speckled Wood Lily (Clintonia umbellulata), also known as White Clintonia, is native to the eastern United States, where it grows wild in hardwood forests with a little elevation. It does well outdoors in zones 4-8, growing about a foot tall with flower stalks extending upward about another 6-10 inches above the leaves. The flowers are white and speckled or edged in pink and attract pollinators. They appear from May-June, followed by clusters of bright blue berries from August-October. 

The Torch Lily (Kniphofia) is also known as the Red-Hot Poker, Tritoma, or Poker Plant. As you can see above, its showy bicolor blooms in red, orange, and yellow attract hummingbirds. This African native comes in 73 species, several of which have been cultivated for gardens. They do well in zones 5-9, growing up to two feet tall with blooms on stalks that grow up to three feet long. Flowers appear throughout the summer, from June-August.

The link in the introductory text will take you to the ASPCA's full list of plants that are toxic and non-toxic to cats. There are many more than the lilies shown here, including many other flowers, trees, shrubs, and houseplants...even food crops. It's not an exhaustive list of all possible plants, but will at least give you some handy guidelines on cat-safe plants as a starting point. With just a few minutes of research, you can spare your kitty from sickness or death by using feline-friendly lilies -- or lily-like flowers and plants -- this Easter.

Images in this post are from the ASPCA's site linked to above. Initial information on plants to include also came from that site. Additional sources consulted included the websites for Wikipedia, the National Parks Board, Dave's Garden, Urban Organic Yield, The Old Farmer's Almanac, the USDA Forest Service, American Meadows, World of Succulents, North Carolina State Agricultural Extension Office, Plantly, Hortipedia, The American Orchid Society, Garden Chronicle, Orchidweb, Pro Flowers, Gardenia, Wildflower.org, Plant Care Today, Southeast Garden, Budburst, Garden Center Marketing, Garden Tags, Maryland Biodiversity Project, Plants For a Future, Portland Nursery, Missouri Botanical Garden, and HGTV.