If You're adopting a Sphynx Kitten, You Need to Hear THIS!
If You're adopting a Sphynx Kitten, You Need to Hear THIS!
If you're planning to adopt a Sphynx kitten (or any kitten) there’s a condition you absolutely need to be aware of: FIP or Feline Infectious Peritonitis.
As a pet health coach and long-time advocate for Sphynx cat care, I’ve seen how devastating this illness can be when it catches pet parents off guard. So today, I want to help you understand what FIP is, how it starts, and, most importantly, why it’s no longer the automatic death sentence it once was.
What Is FIP?
FIP stands for Feline Infectious Peritonitis, a life-threatening condition that affects around 10% of the feline population, including Sphynx cats.
It’s caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus. This is a virus that’s actually quite common in cats. Many cats carry feline coronavirus at some point in their lives, and in most cases, it either produces no symptoms at all or causes only mild digestive upset.
But in rare cases, the virus mutates into the more dangerous form known as FIP.
Signs and Symptoms of FIP
FIP often appears in kittens or young cats, but it can also affect adult cats. There are two forms - wet and dry, but the most common symptoms to look out for include:
A swollen or fluid-filled belly (due to inflammation around the intestines)
Lethargy or weakness
Weight loss
Fever that doesn’t respond to antibiotics
Difficulty breathing (in advanced cases)
If your kitten has recently been diagnosed with FIP or is showing symptoms, I know how scary that can feel, but there’s now new hope.
FIP Is Now Treatable
Just a few years ago, FIP was considered an untreatable, fatal disease. The survival rate was virtually zero.
But thanks to recent scientific advances, we now have a medication that has been shown to cure FIP in approximately 93% of cases. That’s an incredible leap forward!
The medication is called GS-441524. It was recently FDA approved and is now available from veterinarians across the United States.
This treatment has literally saved thousands of kittens and cats who otherwise would not have made it.
What You Should Do If You’re Adopting a Kitten
Whether you're adopting a Sphynx or another breed, here’s what I recommend:
Stay informed. Knowing about FIP gives you the power to act quickly if symptoms appear.
Ask your vet about GS-441524 if your kitten is diagnosed or showing concerning signs.
Share this with anyone you know who’s getting a kitten. Most people have never heard of FIP until it’s too late and this knowledge could save a life.
FIP used to be a heartbreaking diagnosis. But today, with the right information and access to the right treatment, your kitten can go on to live a long, healthy life.
