The following blog is written by Stokes Pharmacy’s Advisory Council member Jamie Rauscher, LVT. Jamie is the current president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, vice president of the Georgia Veterinary Technician & Assistant Association, and part owner and medical manager of the Animal Hospital of Towne Lake. Below, Jamie shares her perspective on how Stokes’ Bova GS-441524 has changed FIP treatment globally.
For decades, a diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) was one of the most heartbreaking outcomes in feline medicine. Caused by a mutation of the common feline coronavirus, FIP primarily affects young cats and kittens—and until recently, it was widely considered a death sentence.
But today, thanks to remarkable advancements in antiviral treatment, FIP is no longer the hopeless diagnosis it once was.
A Once-Incurable Disease
In the 1990s and early 2000s, options for cats with FIP were tragically limited. The only course of action was supportive care: fluids, anti-inflammatories, and comfort measures. Despite the best efforts of veterinary teams, most cats succumbed to the disease within weeks or months.
FIP presents in two forms—wet and dry—both equally devastating. The wet form causes fluid buildup in the abdomen or chest, while the dry form targets organs such as the eyes or brain. Regardless of the presentation, the prognosis was grim.
The Breakthrough That Changed Everything
Everything began to shift in the mid-2010s when researchers started exploring antiviral medications as potential treatments for FIP. Among them was GS-441524, a drug originally developed for different viral diseases. The results were groundbreaking: in a 2019 study, most cats treated with GS-441524 recovered fully.
Although not immediately approved due to patent and regulatory complications, the success of GS-441524 spread quickly. Pet owners connected through online forums, forming grassroots support networks. Many sought out unregulated or underground sources for the drug, often navigating treatment protocols on their own. While far from ideal, this underground movement saved thousands of feline lives.
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Stokes Pharmacy and Bova Group partnered up to bring GS-441524 to regulate FIP treatment in the U.S. Available since May 2024, Stokes’ Bova GS-441524 has helped treat more than 15,000 cats in the U.S!
Read more about our partnership that changed the landscape of FIP treatment.
A New Standard of Care in Veterinary Clinics
Today, thanks to the partnership between Stokes Pharmacy and Bova Group, the FIP landscape is vastly different. More veterinarians are educated on FIP treatment, and legitimate, regulated sources of GS-441524 are becoming available in parts of the world. New oral formulations make administration easier—especially for cat parents who struggle with injections. Other promising drugs are also in development, which could further improve access, affordability, and outcomes.
FIP remains a serious illness, but it is no longer an automatic goodbye. Thanks to the dedication of researchers, veterinarians, and passionate pet owners, many cats are not only surviving but thriving after diagnosis.
A Game-Changer for Veterinary Teams
As a veterinary technician working in a 24/7 general practice and emergency facility, I’ve witnessed this shift firsthand. Our clinic keeps Stokes’ Bova GS-441524 in stock—something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. This has been a game-changer. When our doctors suspect FIP, treatment can begin immediately—no delays, no uncertainty about sourcing, and no anxious waiting for a prescription to be filled.
Time is critical in FIP cases. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome. We send cats home with a one-week supply of medication on day one, then call in a prescription to Stokes Pharmacy, which delivers the remaining doses directly to the client’s home. This seamless process ensures treatment remains uninterrupted—a vital component in the cat’s recovery.
Treating FIP has a clearer path than ever before!
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Putting FIP Treatment Back in the Hands of Veterinary Professionals
To date, we’ve treated more than 15 FIP patients at our hospital. Some of these cats were already on treatment from underground sources when they arrived. After evaluation by our veterinarians, many owners chose to transition to a regulated, veterinarian-guided regimen,appreciating the reassurance that comes from professional oversight and proven protocols.
This shift is returning the care of FIP patients where it belongs: in the hands of trained veterinary professionals. It’s allowing us to offer hope and healing in a way we never could before.
A New Chapter for Cats and Their Families
Nursing care for cats with FIP has also improved dramatically. Where we once faced lengthy hospitalizations or heartbreaking euthanasia decisions, we now see earlier diagnoses and shorter hospital stays. Many cats begin to respond positively within days of starting treatment and some never need to be hospitalized at all, thanks to early intervention.
As a technician, I’ve had the privilege of watching the landscape of veterinary medicine evolve. Few advances have been as impactful or as emotional as the new options we have available to treat FIP. After 30 years of heartbreak, we’re finally writing a new chapter—one filled with hope, recovery, and happy endings.
We’re proud to be changing the landscape of FIP treatment in the United States! Learn more about the disease and the medications we’ve developed in partnership with Bova to offer vets in the U.S. life-saving FIP patient care!