A gray tabby named Raphael lived in a house during the winter polar vortex. He was a creature of habit, and his most pressing winter habit was finding the precise location of warmth.
One particularly frigid afternoon, Raph discovered a new kitty perch: the top of the heat unit. It wasn’t just warm; it was the warmest spot. As he curled up, a moment occurred: a face-warming trend. To any observer, his face glowed with blissful heat. The external heat source created feline contentment.
His human, James, noticed the trend. He knew this warmth was normal, a sign of comfort and security. But being a diligent cat owner, he also kept a watchful eye.
One evening, James observed a subtle shift. The warmth was present, yet quiet stillness, uncharacteristic of Raph, also existed. He declined his favorite salmon snack and moved with a lethargy that sent a small chill down James’s spine, colder than the winter air outside.
A quick trip to the vet confirmed his suspicions. The face-warming trend, when coupled with a loss of appetite and unusual listlessness, was not just about seeking comfort; it was a fever.
Raph, via medicine plus rest, recovered again, mastering thermal comfort. The face-warming trend returned, but this time, it was a healthy glow of a happy, warm, and well-monitored cat, who knew the difference between a cozy sunbeam and a call for his human’s gentle attention.
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Tag: cats
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Part Two
This is the second of a two-part series about FIP treatments.
Until recently, no treatment for FIP was possible, and cats with the disease died within days to weeks. Because of the COVID pandemic, interest in coronaviruses increased, resulting in the development and availability of several antiviral drugs. People commonly use four: GS-441524 and its precursor remdesivir, molnupiravir (Lagevrio), and Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir).
The mainstay of treatment is GS-441524. Its mechanism of action is premature RNA chain termination in the virus, preventing viral replication. Doctors give it by mouth once or twice a day. The dose is 15 mg/kg/day given once daily or 20 mg/kg/day divided into two doses if there is neurological or eye involvement. A kilogram (kg) is 2.2 lbs.
In cats that cannot swallow, the veterinarian can administer remdesivir subcutaneously or the medication can replace the first few IV doses. Remdesivir uses the same doses as GS-441524. The optimal duration of treatment is under investigation, but for now, 84 days (12 weeks) of therapy are standard.
There are ongoing studies investigating shorter treatment (6 weeks); the initial results on a group of twenty cats have been favorable. Medication presents substantial costs, and a twelve-week treatment might prove difficult to finance. Therefore, vets plan to assist owners in shortening treatment when they can.
If a cat is clinically doing well (alert, eating) and the lab results have tended towards normal by four weeks, discontinuing treatment at 6 weeks may be reasonable. Once the treatment ends, the veterinarian should examine the cat within one or two weeks, regardless of how long the therapy lasted.
If your cat’s symptoms come back, schedule an earlier check-up, as relapses may occur after 12 weeks of treatment. Research shows that 80% of cats go into remission following treatment. Table 1 shows key milestones for cats undergoing treatment with GS-441524.
| Abnormality | Expected time to resolution |
| Fever/inappetence | 2-7 days |
| Effusions | 1-2 weeks |
| Blood count abnormalities | 2-3 weeks |
| Elevated bilirubin | 2-3 weeks |
| Albumin: globulin > 0.6 | 6-10 weeks |
| Eye and neurologic abnormalities | Improvement by day 5, resolution within 2 weeks |
If cats respond poorly to GS-441524 (failing to reach clinical milestones on time), you can also add Paxlovid. It works differently from GS-441524 and may provide a synergistic effect.
Initially, veterinarians administered Molnupiravir as a rescue drug for cats not responding to GS-441524 (not reaching treatment milestones on time), but recent studies use it as the primary treatment. It works by causing multiple mutations in the replicating virus, resulting in its eradication. The dose is 10-15 mg/kg given twice a day.
Since it’s designed for humans, this dosage form is also impractical and can decrease appetite. As a result, it might be necessary to use appetite stimulants or antiemetics. It causes birth defects in rats and cartilage defects in growing humans. Treated cats exhibit folded ear tips, broken whiskers, and flaky skin.
Cats may also experience muscle wasting and elevation of ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase, present in the liver, muscle, kidneys, and other organs).
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) is two drugs in one. Nirmatrelvir inhibits RNA copying enzymes, and ritonavir slows the degradation of nirmatrelvir in the body. Doctors use it along with GS-441524 or molnupiravir if the response is incomplete. You must be careful if the cat is taking medications eliminated by the same pathway, and you may need to adjust their doses.
Supportive measures include appetite stimulants, pain meds and even a feeding tube if the cat is unable or unwilling to take medications by mouth.
With effective treatment for FIP, inappropriate use of the drugs has inevitably occurred. Reports show that whole litters of kittens received treatment because a vet diagnosed one kitten with FIP or even administered preventative treatment.
Though a Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FeCV) vaccine is available, the American Association of Feline Practitioners does not recommend it. You must vaccinate the cat before FeCV infects it, but this is impossible because many kittens contract the infection before they can receive the vaccine at 14 weeks old. Further, immunity wanes with time.
There is currently work ongoing on an effective vaccine.
Finally, a word on the FIV on Cyprus. Reports conflict regarding the prevalence, though FIP is more widespread elsewhere. One source estimates that 30% of the feral cats in Cyprus have died of the disease. Twenty-eight percent of the affected cats have nervous system involvement, compared to 14% of FIP cats elsewhere. The malady infects felines of every age, not merely juvenile ones.
DNA sequencing has shown that the virus responsible is a recombination between the feline and canine coronaviruses.
The alarming property of this virus is that it is transmissible between cats. Folks from the United Kingdom and Europe have adopted feline companions while on holiday in Cyprus. At least one cat like that has developed FIP. It presents a risk regarding worldwide, European spread of the mutant virus.
Footnotes and further reading/listening
- Conference Proceedings: Am College Vet Internal Med Forum; ACVIM 2023. Sally J. Coggins
- Pedersen, N. et al., J, Feline Med Surg. 2019 Feb 13; 21(4):271-281. Efficacy and Safety of the nucleoside analog GS-441524 for treatment of cats with naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis.
- Coggins, S.J. et al., J Vet Intern Med. 2023 Sep-Oct; 37(5): 1772-1783. Epub 2023 Jul 13. Outcomes of treatment of cats with feline infectious peritonitis using parenterally administered remdesivir, with or without transition to orally administered GS-441524.
- Taylor, S., Talk at the International Society for companion Animal Infectious Disease meeting 2024. An Update on Treatment of FIP Using Antiviral Drugs in 2024: Growing Experience but Still More to Learn.
- Coggins, S.J., Talk at the American College of Vet Int Med meeting 2023. Updates in Feline Infectious Peritonitis Treatment.
- Felten, S. et al., J Feline Med Surg. 2017 Apr; 19(4): 321-335. Detection of feline coronavirus spike gene mutations as a tool to diagnose FIP.
- Sorrell, S., Tasker, S., Taylor, S., Barker, E., Gunn-Moore, D.: Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Information for Cat owners. Stokes Pharmacy website: https://www.stokespharmacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pet-Owner-Brochure-Printable-Version.pdf
- Thayer, V. et al., J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Sep; 24(9):905-933. 2022 AAFP/Every Cat Feline Infectious Peritonitis Diagnosis Guidelines.
- https://bova.vet/
- https://www.stokespharmacy.com/stokes-bova-partner-for-feline-infectious-peritonitis-treatment/
- https://www.stokespharmacy.com/fip/cat-owner-resources/
- https://bova.vet/fip-resource-page/#FIP-Webinars
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-infectious-peritonitis
- https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=11618072
- https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/disorders-affecting-multiple-body-systems-of-cats/feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip
16.Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition, 2016, pp. 782-790
17.https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/tags/feline-infectious-peritonitis/ - https://ccah.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk4586/files/inline-files/Inappropriate%20use%20of%20GS.pdf
- https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.11.08.566182v3.full.pdf . Attipa, C., Warr, A. et al. BioRxiv preprint 3 Sep 2024: Emergence and spread of feline infectious peritonitis due to a highly pathogenic canine/feline recombinant coronavirus.
- https://thewebinarvet.com/videos/what-you-should-know-about-fcov-23-and-the-outbreak-of-fip-in-cyprus
- Gao, Y. et al: Virus Research V 326, March 2023: An updated review of feline coronavirus: mind the two biotypes
Nipclub, December 11, 2025 Sekurity Update
(By Slinky @slinky_the_cat, Sekurity Agent, Late Nite Shift)
I arrived on time. Ragamuffin Raspberry Tart (@sisfurcats) had nothing significant to report. She has the Sekurity Shift right before mine.
I saw Susan and Puddin (@georgiarealist), and Moo @(moothemousecat) had a martini waiting for me when I arrived. TJS (@TJS12145) and Dora K @ (dora_nlk) also were there. Gator (@RealFakeGator) said there were not a lot of security issues so far this evening.
After the last few weeks of craziness, this was most welcome!
I said hello to Louis and Heath (@psiangelic); I mentioned tequila fountains and martini Jacuzzis! Wouldn’t that be fun? We used to make a lot of tequila fountains!
I caught two interlopers out by the delivery entrance. I zip-tied them and locked them up. Easy peasy!
Gator was showing off his ugly sweater; it’s a sweater so heinous that it’s difficult to describe. A fire-breathing kitten setting a Christmas tree on fire, plus skulls wearing Santa hats. Truly a Design by Gator original!
Mizz Bassie (@MizzBassie) was here, and everyone was eating crispy onion rings and talking about the weather, snow, etc. Mizz and I have nice weather; she’s in Florida, and I’m in Jakku. We love nice weather in the winter!
Even Harvey Button (@HarveyButtonNZ) showed up! He doesn’t come into the bar often during the late hours, so it was a treat.
Pearl’s here now, after arriving a bit late because she had no electricity. She served up sweater-shaped cookies and cranberry meowmosas.
I took the golf cart out on the grounds to look for more sekurity risks, but it was quiet. Maybe too quiet. It was a slow night, which was fine by the Sekurity team. More time to party with the pals.
There was a delicious bacon lattice-topped apple pie. The stuff of dreams! That pie recipe should win a prize, like the noble feast prize, according to Sir Pickle (@SirLongpaw)!
I didn’t see Raven (@IndulgedFurries), so Pearl melted some butter, but then Raven showed up! She was having Twitter issues and wasn’t seeing notifications. We were rating butter, bacon, and chocolate in order of awesomeness. Together, they are purvana, declared Sir Pickle!
We talked about cat toys, toy dangers such as rubber bands, hair ties, etc. Then Vampy (@adorabully) showed up late to say hello. It’s nice to see everyone at Nipclub. I caught two interlopers, so it was not bad for an Ugly Sweater night!
Until next week
Kitten Conversations 2: Matilda Wins the Day
Matilda and Trickle are enjoying a relaxing moment on the sofa.
M: “So, I think we’ve been here for two weeks now. Are you happy in our home?”
T: “I love it! I was a bit scared when we arrived, but…”
M: (interrupting) “Scared? You were terrified of everything, like the dogs!
T: “I’d never seen a dog before! I hadn’t really seen anything; I’d spent eight weeks in one room of a house! The lady there was always cleaning, so at least I was used to the vacuum cleaner, but that’s about it.”
M: “Don’t complain; I never went into a house until I was four weeks old.”
T: “Really? Where…. where were you born and brought up then?”
M: (quietly) “I don’t really remember, but I think I was born outside. All I remember is that someone found me in a car park. I was all alone, starving and very sick.”
T: “That’s terrible! What happened next?”
M: “The lady who came to get me was lovely. I was weak and filthy and had no mum. The lady took me home, kept me in a warm room, and bottle-fed me milk until I was stronger. She took me to the vet, where they checked me over and gave me a bath. Baths are the pits! It was comfy at her house, and the dogs and adult cats there were kind to me. I was sad when she said she couldn’t keep me, but she promised she’d find me a lovely home with someone she knew and trusted. It turns out she’d known She for a few years and thought I’d be all right here. She said that it’s the perfect place for cats to live and promised that She would look after me.”
T: “I think she was right about that. They look after us so well, don’t they? Lots of meals, toys, and attention.”
M: “Well, they must pay attention to you because of the places you get to. Who would ever want to climb into a washing machine or a wood burner? You’re nuts!”
T: “The washer was empty, and the stove wasn’t lit!”
M: “You want to be careful; you’ll get into real trouble one of these days. I’m thinking your name is actually TrickleNo!”
T: “At least I knew how to use a litter tray properly; for the first few days, I had to cover up your messes for you. Eew!”
M: “Um… sorry about that. I never had a mum to teach me things like that when I should have been learning them. I didn’t have any siblings until I met you. I didn’t even know I was a kitten. I thought I was an adult cat, or maybe even a dog or a human. After we came here together, I got to know you, and everything fell into place.
T: “It’s fun, us being together, isn’t it?”
M: “It is! Except I’m sane and you’re a bit mad, and I hate it when I want to nap in peace and you won’t let me.”
T: “I get bored easily.”
M: “Tell me about it *rolls eyes*. Because of that, I now have a secret napping spot, hidden from you. So there!”
T: “You have? Where?”
M: (in a patient tone) “It’s a secret. Because of that, I won’t reveal its location. Hey look, there’s a bird on the windowsill!”
T runs to the window and eagerly looks out.
M dashes up the hall, into the bedroom, somehow climbs onto the wardrobe, and settles down in a box of winter boots.
T: “Matilda! Matildaaa! Where are you?” From high in the bedroom, where Matilda settled down for a well-earned nap, no one heard the quiet giggling
Quote: Joanna Lumley on Cats
My mother early on taught us to respect all animals, and I mean all animals – not just cats and dogs but rats and snakes and spiders and fish and wildlife, so I really grew up believing they are just like us and just as deserving of consideration.
— Joanna Lumley
Animal Holidays and Observations December 14 – 20
The only December Animal Monthly Observation is:
National Cat Lovers Month
Daily holidays during the third week include:
December 14 – January 5, 2026: Christmas Bird Count Week
• Dec 14: Monkey Day
• December 15: National Cat Herder’s Day
Why You Should Consider Adopting An Older Cat
I am loving, affectionate, and I need a home.
While kittens are small, cute, and full of fun, there is a group of cats that often gets overlooked at shelters–older cats. Cats like me, and other older cats, have lots of love to give and may be a better choice for your home.
When adopting an older cat, you will save a life. Older cats are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanised. The satisfaction of giving an older cat a home is a wonderful feeling. My mummy feels immense gratitude for providing a home for me after an extended period of my lacking one.
Older cats are thankful that someone gave them a home for their senior years. They make loyal and loving companions. I love my mummy, who has given me a home of my own.
Kittens need a lot of supervision as they are curious and mischievous. Older cats are more sensible and relaxed, but still enjoy some playtime. They like the simple pleasures of a warm lap, sun puddles, and a quiet place to nap. Strictly speaking, I am not an older cat, being only four years and seven months old, but I can be naughty and silly.
Since older cats have developed personalities, you know what you are getting. Whether you are looking for a lap cat or an independent companion, you can find the perfect fit for your home.
While many people are concerned about medical costs for older cats, shelters will provide medical histories. Some cats require medication, and others may be in excellent health, but you will know in advance. With kittens, their future health is unknown. I had some minor health complaints, but I am in excellent health now.
In conclusion, when you choose to adopt an older cat, you change your life and gain a loyal and loving friend. Older cats deserve a loving, forever home, too. Contact your local animal shelters or rescue organisations to find your new family member. You won’t regret it.
The Cat Who Ate the Sun
by @kittehboi & Nightcafe Studio.
“The Cat Who Ate the Sun” is a mythical story explaining the origin of tortoiseshell cats. According to the legend, the sun became a black cat to visit the Earth. When the sun left, it left behind its fire in the patches of red and orange in the torties’s coat.
This is why Tortoiseshell cats are so popular, because they seem to carry a spark of the sun itself.
Furry Napping Feline
Great fluffy lump
warm fed feline
curled sleeping
all sleek fur
shiny whiskers
and casual stretch
a yawn now
becomes
furry python
with gleaming
talons o’ death
Momentary shadow passes
eyes flash open
fangs snap wetly
brisk tail lashes
Somewhere…prey!
Maybe not
and the great hunter rolls over
again to nap and not
P.A.W.
MMHP2025
Saturday was a monumental day as it was the first-ever Mistletoe Magic Holiday Party, or #MMHP2025, an event spearheaded by our wonderful leaders, Truman and Gator! It was a festive day-long party on Twitter filled with stalls, gifts, noms and drinks, and of course, DJs and music!
Festivities kicked off at 7:00 am, with DJ Lola from PAWS with her Christmas playlist.
FurryTails was there with delicious funnel cakes and hot chocolate! Truman had his world-famous pub quizzes, TJ and Bart debuted what would become their also world-famous pub quizzes, and NipClub was selling their wreaths and Christmas trees!
So many groups took part! The DangerDawgs had their booth selling their delicious eggnog! ECC had its booth, and Puddin and Murphy brought out their amazing Pop-Up Diner, where they sold Christmas noms and drinks! I was also present to assist!
Undoubtedly, one high point involved a live presentation of #OTLFP. Pixie Tooth and Millie rocked it as always!
NPC also had their wonderful club dragon Doug out for dragon rides around the complex, and they had their noms and drinks as well!
The #MMHP2025 debut proved remarkable, and started something special that everyone can expect each December! What Truman and Gator have started will now become a staple every holiday season!
