I understand where you're coming from but t he negativity is really not necessary. I mentioned this in hopes it would help you and your cats. My family used to rescue ONLY feLv + cats for many many years and I know that we were desperate for any hope. This is a very new 'drug', no one is contesting that but my vet had knowledge of this and is actually the one that brought it up as an option and said that it seems to be showing real promise and improvement in cats with feLv and FIV and that it wouldn't hurt to try it on my cat that has FIP. You were right to not comment on my cat with FIP because there is no textbook answer on lifespan or symptoms of cats/kittens with FIP, each cat is different. My cat has been diagnosed for 3 weeks now (a PCR test was done using fluid he had in his abodmen) and he is still faring pretty well so I am hopeful even though I know what the statistics are. I am also on a yahoo group for people with FIP+ cats and they have had cats that have lived up to a year or so which is certainly plenty of time to see if a 'treatment' drug willl help. Gus got the initial treatment on Monday and I am hopeful that by week 3 he will be improving symptomatically. Plus, if you read the website it said some cats show improvement within the initial 3 weeks loading dose and the intial study is for 6 weeks. My vet did a CBC at dose 1 and will do one at dose 4 to see how the cells and particularly the lymphocytes are responding. Also, I did not pay one dime for this 'drug' for the FIP trial. The trial for felv and fiv is over since they have proven it (to whatever degree) to help increase white and red blood cells to the point where it helps combat the symptoms of the virus, which is why you have to pay for it now. No one is soliciting this as a miracle cure but it is a real option for increasing quality of life and potentially life span when there aren't any other right now. From what I read it seems like it's a version of stem cell repair which is what they're trying to do in humans. I personally feel that if the risks are very low and the benefits are potentially signifigant I want to do whatever I can to help my cat. I did say that everyone needs to do their own research on this but I really think you shouldn't bash it so much. I mean what do you really have to lose? Chances are your cats with felv will die...they usually always do and within a matter of years. I guess I'm just more proactive and hopeful and there are a lot of cynical people on this planet. I just want my cat to live. I did get FDA mixed up with USDA, I apologize for that. Just so you know, Prolabs is in the process if getting the permanant license for this 'drug'. There apparently is a lot of red tape when it comes to new product licensing which is why they got the conditional license. I also don't care about what happened with a buyout or politics behind the scenes. I just care about what they are providing and if it will help my cat. And in all my research for FIP I found this vet that you all should check out too. He has manufactured a vitamin complex which is basically a mega dose of vitamin c and other vitamins and minerals. He has been able to get (over a time span of 10 months to 3 years) positive NON-SYMPTOMATIC cats with FeLv, FIV and FIP to test negative. It does take time for it to help the immune system so it is not a quick fix but it will help. This Dr. is very respected in the veterinary community and helped develop the California Naturals brand pet foods. His website is below. Again, do your own research. http://www.belfield.com/pet_health_art2.php
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