Determining the appropriate dosage for FIP treatment depends on various factors such as the type of FIP and the severity of the condition. The recommended dosage is typically expressed as mg/kg/24h, indicating the milligrams of medication per kilogram of the cat’s weight within a 24-hour period.
For **Wet Abdominal FIP** with fluid accumulation in the belly, the usual dosage is 6mg/kg. However, if the cat has been ill for an extended period and experiencing a lack of appetite, the administering veterinarian may suggest a higher dosage of around 8mg/kg.
**Wet Pleural FIP**, a more challenging form of wet FIP characterized by fluid buildup around the lungs, generally requires a higher dosage, starting from 8mg/kg.
**Dry FIP** can typically be treated with 6mg/kg, but if the cat is severely affected, the dosage may be increased to 8-10mg/kg.
For **Ocular FIP** (uveitis), the recommended starting dosage is 8mg/kg or higher, if necessary.
**Neuro FIP**, which involves neurological symptoms, begins with a dosage of 10mg/kg and can be increased to 12-15mg/kg in the presence of seizures or cerebral edema.
These are the initial dosages, which may be adjusted upwards (but never downwards) based on the cat’s overall condition and blood test results. Blood tests are conducted before treatment and periodically throughout the 4-8-11* week treatment duration.
It’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and only the veterinarian or the counselor familiar with the cat’s situation and the FIP treatment can determine the appropriate dosage. In critical cases, the medication can be administered every 12 hours (e.g., 6mg/kg in the morning and evening) to enhance the antiviral effect.
**Concentration** refers to the amount of the active ingredient (GS) per milliliter (mg/ml). For example, Lucky is available in two concentrations: 15mg/ml and 20mg/ml.
The **dose** is calculated as follows: weight in kg × dosage ÷ concentration. It represents the actual volume of GS that will be injected.
Let’s look at a couple of practical examples:
**Example 1:**
Cat weight: 3kg
Type of FIP: Wet FIP (active and eating)
Medication: Lucky 20mg/ml
Advised dosage: 6mg/kg
To calculate the dose (volume to inject):
3kg × 6mg/kg ÷ 20mg/ml = **0.9ml**
**Example 2:**
Cat weight: 1.2kg
Type of FIP: Neuro FIP (paralyzed, syringe-fed, barely responsive)
Medication: Lucky 15mg/ml
Advised dosage: 8mg/kg every 12 hours until steady improvement
To calculate the dose:
1.2kg × 8mg/kg ÷ 15mg/ml = 0.64ml (rounded up to 0.7ml) to be administered every 12 hours.
Note: The treatment duration is 12 weeks, as it is the macrophages lifecycle. These are the cells infected with the FIP virus. Blood tests should be done in week 4-8 and 11 to account for potential delays in receiving blood test results (completing the blood test on week 12 may result in an extension of treatment unnecessarily).
Cats that are not neutered should be able to undergo the surgery from week 8.
Neutering cats is essential for their overall health and well-being. Hormones, particularly those involved in reproductive processes, can have negative effects on cats’ health and behavior. Unaltered cats can experience increased stress levels, which can weaken their immune systems and make them more susceptible to relapses.
**IMPORTANT: DON’T STOP THE TREATMENT ON DAY 84 UNLESS CLEARED BY YOUR VETERINARIAN FOR OBSERVATION!**
While we wish it were that simple, unfortunately, it is not.