Top 20 Largest Dog Breeds
A Kitten's Fight Against FIP
Soot (left) and Shepard (right). (Photo courtesy of University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and Lauren Bryan)
Shepard, a 10-month-old kitten is on a journey to recovery from feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) after his brother and littermate, Soot, passed away, likely of FIP, 3 months before Shepard began showing clinical signs of the disease.
Shepard's treatment was overseen by Katelynn Ondek, DVM, PhD, a veterinary neurology and neurosurgery resident, who explained in a University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine report1 how the team at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana diagnosed and treated the usually fatal disease before treatment for it—compounded GS-441524—was made available in certain states in June 2024.2
Soot and Shepard were both adopted by the same family. In March 2024, Soot began limping on his right rear leg, losing control of his bowel and bladder, and losing interest in eating. As the month progressed, Soot experienced worsening symptoms, including seizures, hypothermia, and bradycardia. He was then taken for emergency treatment, but ultimately euthanized when he could not be stabilized. Definitive diagnostic tests are still pending for Soot, but preliminary results strongly indicate FIP, per the university report.1
Three months later, on July 31, 2024, Shepard began having green nasal discharge and wheezing. After 2 days, he became lethargic and showed a diminished appetite. The following day, Shepard developed neurological signs, including stiff back legs, a wobbly walk, and splaying of his legs. It was at this point that his family took action. According to Ondek, the family's heartbreaking experience with Soot helped them identify Shepard's clinical signs, helping them to get him hospitalized and receive timely treatment.1
FIP manifests in 2 forms: the "dry" or noneffusive type, which may cause neurological issues, and the "wet" or effusive type, characterized by fluid buildup in body cavities. Both Shepard and Soot experienced non-effusive FIP.
Shepard's diagnosis and treatmentVeterinarians were able to stabilize Shepard after he arrived at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital's emergency room (ER). He was then referred to the neurology and neurosurgery service for diagnostic testing, which involved blood work and an MRI.
"The MRI allows us to look at the gross structures of the brain and spinal cord. In Shepard, it revealed an infection or inflammation of the tissue around his brain and spinal cord [meningitis]. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis lets us look microscopically at the nervous system, and Shepard's sample was positive for FIP," explained Ondek in the report.1
The ER began Shepard's treatment with supportive care and antibiotics. Then, the hospital's neurology team administered a steroid to minimize inflammation in his central nervous system. He also underwent a blood transfusion during his hospitalization.
RemdesivirHowever, even with these treatments, Shepard's health continued to deteriorate until he received a legally-sourced antiviral therapy: the injectable antiviral remdesivir — a treatment for cats with FIP that had recently become available.
Shepard's case was the first to be legally treated at the university's Veterinary Teaching Hospital with remdesivir.1 Originally recognized for its effectiveness against COVID-19 in humans, remdesivir received FDA approval for veterinary use in 2022. However, according to Ondek, the treatment has been "nearly impossible" to acquire in veterinary clinics.1 At $775 for a 100 mg vial, the medication is not affordable for many veterinary practices.
"We are very fortunate that we were able to obtain this medication from Carle [Hospital in Urbana, Illinois]," Ondek remarked in the report.1
Within 24 hours of starting remdesivir, Shepard began to improve. By the fourth day of treatment, he was racing around the treatment room, displaying only mild incoordination.
After 8 days in the hospital, Shepard was discharged. Family follow-up videos show that he is now behaving like a typical kitten, though he remains a bit wobbly, according to the report.1
According to Ondek, studies have found that cats that survive the first 2 days are more likely than not to have an 80% or greater chance of long-term survival with antiviral treatments, the report relayed.1
GS-441524Shepard has since been switched to oral GS-441524, which became available for veterinary use from Stokes Pharmacy in June 2024. "The new compounded oral medication from Stokes, which is identical to the Bova formula used in the UK and Australia, was just legalized in June 2024 and will be a game-changer for veterinary medicine moving forward," said Ondek in the report.1
Five years ago, FIP was considered fatal. Treatments like remdesivir and GS-441524 have now increased the survival rate to between 50% and 100%.1
The advised length of antiviral treatment is 84 days. There is a chance of relapse during or after this initial period, according to the report.1 Some cats with neurologic FIP may also experience permanent, non-progressive neurological deficits even if they fully recover.1
"Shepard is not out of the woods yet, but we are all rooting for him and will be following him closely over the next few months," said Ondek in the report.1
Other felines with FIP receive helpRecently, Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), a nonprofit animal shelter and rescue organization in Austin, Texas, collaborated with the University of Florida Shelter Medicine program in Gainesville to study FIP treatment responses in shelter cats with and without a FeLV co-infection.3
APA! Has treated more than 250 cats, primarily FeLV-positive, achieving a 75% survival rate during the 6-month treatment and observation period, with FeLV co-infection seemingly having no impact on FIP treatment outcomes.3
References
Merck Animal Health Announces Expansion Of NOBIVAC® NXT Platform With The First And Only RNA-Particle Technology Vaccine For Feline Leukemia Virus
Innovative technology represents a breakthrough scientific achievement for one of the most common feline infectious diseases
RAHWAY, N.J., September 24, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), announced today the expansion of the newly USDA-approved NOBIVAC® NXT vaccine platform to include a best in class solution to protect cats against one of the most common feline infectious diseases, feline leukemia virus (FeLV). The vaccine is expected to be available at veterinary clinics and hospitals nationwide this fall.
NOBIVAC NXT FeLV is the first and only feline leukemia virus vaccine built on Merck Animal Health's RNA-particle technology platform and is designed to deliver optimized protection. The same technology was used for NOBIVAC NXT Rabies that launched in Canada in June 2024 and NOBIVAC NXT Canine Flu H3N2 that launched in the U.S. In June 2024.
"We are proud to extend our RNA-particle technology with a vaccine that protects against one of the most persistent threats to our feline patients," said Ian Tarpey, vice president, research and development, Merck Animal Health. "Merck Animal Health and our NOBIVAC brand have a rich history in vaccine innovation, and we're continuing to prove our dedication to ensuring there are safe and effective treatment options for veterinary professionals with the latest development of NOBIVAC NXT FeLV."
NOBIVAC NXT FeLV is a nonadjuvanted, low volume 0.5 mL dose vaccine that harnesses the natural ability of the immune system to generate a robust response without compromising comfort or safety. The Nobivac NXT FeLV vaccine is labeled effective against persistent viremia and is indicated for the vaccination of cats 8 weeks of age or older against FeLV. According to the label and recommendations from the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), the vaccine should be administered in 2 doses, 3- to 4-weeks apart. The product's proven 2-year duration of immunity (DOI) follows the AAFP's recommendations for extended duration protection.
Feline leukemia virus can spread in a multitude of ways – most often through mutual grooming, fighting behavior, and shared food, water, or litter trays – and poses serious health risks. Kittens or young cats, outdoor cats and cats who are frequently exposed to other cats are all at increased risk for FeLV. When a cat is infected with FeLV, initially they often show no symptoms. However, as FeLV persists in the cat, the virus can lead to cancer, severe blood disorders and other infections associated with a compromised immune system. The good news is routine vaccination can help protect from potential illness.
"Nearly 4% of cats in North America alone are affected by this disease, a notable percentage when there have been guidelines for prevention in place for decades, and especially since the virus can lead to life-threatening diseases," said Meg Conlon, DVM, executive director, veterinary professional services, Merck Animal Health. That's why education and awareness of the importance of vaccinating against this disease is so important."
For more information on Feline Leukemia Virus and options for protection, visit www.Merck-animal-health-usa.Com/nobivac/nobivac-nxt-felv.
About Merck Animal Health
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we've been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world's most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.Merck-animal-health.Com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the "company") includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.Sec.Gov).
View source version on businesswire.Com: https://www.Businesswire.Com/news/home/20240924377048/en/
Contacts
Laurel Mundthlaurel.Mundth@merck.Com
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Marigold: Pet Of The Week
POTW: Marigold Photo courtesy of the Oswego County Humane Society OSWEGO – Marigold is tiny and mighty. She was found crossing a busy country road with her 2 kittens until a kind person stopped to help. They have found love and sanctuary, but Marigold is really in need of a family all her own.
Marigold has been a very fierce momma to her kittens, but it's time for retirement from motherhood. Afterall, she is still a kitten herself–she has loads of time to have a stress-free and playful life of love.
Marigold is very friendly to strangers and everyone she meets. She plays great with kids of all ages and doesn't mind living around dogs either. She tends to be bossy around other cats, but they don't seem to mind the passion of her youth.
Marigold is about 9 months old, spayed and vaccinated. She has tested negative for FeLV/FIV. The adoption fee is $125.
If you are interested in adopting, you can download our Adoption Application at tinyurl.Com/oswego-humane-app. You can email us your completed application and any questions to [email protected]!
(Photo courtesy of the Oswego County Humane Society)
oswegohumane.Org/petoftheweek
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About Oswego County Humane Society
We provide services to promote and strengthen the human-animal bond through fostering-to-adoption programs, spay/neuter clinics, and humane education… Because people and pets are good for each other. The Oswego County Humane Society is designated under IRS code 501(c)3 as a charitable organization: 161586001 and registered with New York State Charities.
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