22/08/2025
🌟 STAR OF THE WEEK 🌟
Meet Molly! 😻
Molly is a 7 month old, oriental kitten, who was referred to us by her usual primary care practice, Churchfield Vets. 👨⚕️
She presented to them as she had been vomiting bile, was lethargic, inappetent and hadn't defecated for quite a while. An ultrasound and bloods were performed and Molly was sent home, but she didn't improve. 😿
On admission here, Molly had a high temperature and had started with some tremors. We performed a CT but this only revealed gastric wall thickening, consistent with inflammatory process, such as gastritis. 🤷♀️
Blood samples were taken for toxoplasma, feline coronavirus (cause of FIP) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (acute-phase protein which is often elevated in FIP), these were sent to our external lab for testing. Initial treatment was started for suspected pneumonia whilst we awaited the lab results. 🧪
Molly's tremors progressed and she also became quite ataxic and developed a slight head tilt, however she was happy in herself, eating well and her temperature had stabilized. 😿
When Molly's lab results came back the results for toxoplasmosis were negative. Unfortunately, the results for feline coronavirus and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein were positive which confirmed she had been exposed to feline coronavirus. Since her clinical signs and lab results were indicative of FIP, Molly was started on a medication called GS-441524, which is a novel anti-viral medication used to treat FIP in cats. Molly was also treated with antibiotics, anti-nausea medication and intravenous fluid therapy. 😷
Molly's symptoms started to improve, which showed she was responding well to the medication. 🥳
After an 11 day stay with us, she was able to be discharged home. 🏠
We have had an update from her owner to advise Molly is continuing to improve and we will see her back soon for her repeat blood tests. 😸