Gruff needs a little bit longer.

In May my cat Gruff became very poorly. He was off his food, had a swollen tummy and was very lethargic. Sadly he was diagnosed with FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) which is a mutation of the feline coronavirus, not related to Covid-19! Most cats carry the relatively harmless Feline Corona Virus but only between 5-8% develop FIP which, until now, has always been fatal. I was absolutely heartbroken. My boy is only 7 years young and should have years ahead of him yet.

A few years ago in America a scientist called Dr Pedersen began trials of an antiviral drug which has proven really successful in the treatment of FIP. Gruff has been on this medication for over 4 months now and has responded remarkably. I am so delighted to have my happy, healthy boy back! However, Gruff isn't out of the woods yet. In some cases cats can stop after three months but in other cats, including Gruff, it takes a wee bit longer for blood results to be at the right level to come off the treatment.

We are so nearly there as his last bloods were almost totally normal apart from one which needs to come down before we get the green light to stop. We have been advised to extend just a bit longer and I'd hate to stop too soon and go back to square one as he's doing so very well. I've tried so hard to fund the treatment myself until now but the medication is very expensive and not available on insurance plus we have to have regular blood tests at £135 a time. We've had six of those so far and there will be more over the next few weeks. I just cant afford to keep going without help but if I stop too soon he could die. We've come so far I can't let my boy down now!

Can you help me save him? Any amount, however small, would mean so much to me and will help save my boy's life.

Thank you so much.

Christine and Gruff.

The photo shows Gruff as a kitten when he had his marvellous curly coat.