Cat owners can rejoice, as a medication that can treat a fairly deadly illness will be available in the United States from June 1. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease that can prove fatal in most cases. Cat parents based in the U.S. can breathe a sigh of relief as Stokes Pharmacy now has an exclusive partnership with the Bova Group. They will be working on an oral treatment to help treat FIP.
Medication for deadly cat illness to be available in the US soon
The Bova Group sells GS-441524, a medication compound that can help treat FIP. However, the drug wasn’t available in the U.S. This led to cat parents turning to the black market to help their furry friends. While the compound was approved in the United Kingdom and Australia, it was pending approval in the U.S.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has clarified that it is yet to be approved by them. However, there are circumstances where the FDA “doesn’t intend to take enforcement actions,” especially regarding compounded products for animals, per Fox News. The medication for the deadly illness will come in the form of oral treatment that can be administered to cats.
New Jersey-based Stokes Pharmacy noted that the Bova Group’s compound will support its drug, which will be made in the U.S. FIP is indeed caused by specific strains of feline coronavirus, and most of them are harmless. It is important to note that the feline coronavirus is not the same as the one that affects humans.
However, sometimes feline coronaviruses can mutate, which can lead to FIP. Once a cat has this deadly illness, it only progresses and can prove fatal without medication. The drug is only the first step and a ray of hope for all cat parents. However, Stokes pharmacy must provide more information, as little is known about the medication.
