Meet Marley
Age: 1y10m
Breed: Domestic Shorthair
Diagnosis: Non-effusive (dry) form
Marley is a food-motivated cat, and around June 2023, his appetite began decreasing. He was showing signs of difficulty eating, became lethargic, stayed in one spot, had a flat mood, and lost weight rapidly over days, weeks, and months.Marley had fine needle biopsies and blood tests taken, and he developed jaundice in his face. He also had ultrasounds and X-rays before being admitted to Perth Cat Hospital. When we were told it could be FIP, I knew he needed to be treated at a top clinic and did my own research. I contacted Perth Cat Hospital immediately, where he had an urgent consult and began treatment the next day. Marley showed all the classic signs of FIP but was not formally diagnosed. Two days into treatment, he was a completely different cat—playful, food-motivated, seeking affection, and cheeky. Marley completed a three-month course of treatment with prescription medications, and we also used additional medication when our budget was tight. We then booked him for surgery, where he was cleared of FIP and is in remission as of March 2024.
As someone who works in animal care, I am incredibly grateful for having pet insurance before Marley’s condition. FIP treatment is evolving and expensive, and without insurance, he wouldn’t be here today. Marley is a food-motivated cat, and around June 2023, his appetite began to decrease. He showed signs of difficulty eating, became lethargic, stayed in one spot of the house, had a flat mood, and experienced drastic weight loss over days, weeks, and months.
Marley underwent fine needle biopsies and blood tests, and developed jaundice on his face. He had ultrasounds and X-rays before being admitted as a patient at Perth Cat Hospital. When we were informed it could be FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), I knew he needed to be treated at a top-tier clinic and did my own research. I contacted Perth Cat Hospital immediately; he had an urgent consultation and started treatment the following day. Marley exhibited all the classic signs of FIP but was not formally diagnosed.
Two days into treatment, Marley was a completely different cat, returning to the playful, food-motivated, affectionate, and cheeky cat we knew. He completed a 3-month course of treatment with all three prescription medications: Remdesivir, GS tablets, and Molnupiravir (the latter for the final month when our budget was tight). Afterward, we scheduled surgery for Marley, who was cleared of FIP and has been in remission as of March 2024.
As someone already working in the animal care industry, I am immensely grateful to have had pet insurance before Marley’s condition. FIP treatment is evolving and costly; without insurance, Marley wouldn’t be here today.
