ANY TeAm mate in UK or AU-

[DanC]

EDIT:
Thank you one and all that offered encouragement, and most of all those who helped.
David did indeed locate a supply... unfortunately, the logistics of getting the drug
refrigerated, to the US - and through customs, coupled with the price - makes this
endeavor one better left undone. Unfortunately, we must be satisfied with making
her as comfortable as possible, until it's time to bid her goodbye. (which will likely not be a very long time.)

END EDIT.


Been trying to reach Dantoo... but mail is bouncing.
Edit: UPDATE: Dantoo has responded, and is "on it"... so we'll see if any is
available in the Cairns area. /end update

Actually a matter of life and death... (even though it's "just" a cat)


Anyone in UK or AU...

I'm trying desperately to locate Recombinant Feline Interferon Omega. It is made by the Virbac corporation, and is available in the UK, and AU, but NOT the US.

I have a year-old cat exhibiting fairly classic FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
Interferon is her only hope, as without it, the disease is 100% fatal. We have only a 33% chance with it, but it's not looking good - time is running out for her.

If any of my TeAm mates are in either country, could you PLEASE call your local veterinary hospital, and see if they have any available, and at what cost? PM me with details, I can Pay-pal the funds.

My apologies for the OT post... but I have nowhere else to turn.

 

[amdxborg]

Really hope someone can help you out here Dan.

 

[DanC]

Thanks for the bump, Johan. I finally grew a brain and realized that David's address was in his profile. I for some reason, only had his wife's.

Anyway - popped a mail off to him, and am hoping to locate several sources. I'm sure this stuff isn't going to be cheap either. Cripes. We've already spent $1,600 on her. The last one, Max (cancer) cost over $6,000, and he still died.

What we won't do for our pets eh?

 

[GeoffS]

Seems to me you can buy interferon in Canada too... not 100% sure though... I seem to remember news stories about it before I moved south of the border (the Canada/US border that is )

Good luck!

Geoff

 

[GeoffS]

Actually... I think the company I was working for, Merck Frosst Canada, sold the stuff through a distributer in British Columbia, but that was years ago and I can't remember their name... sorry

 

[DanC]

No sweat Geoff... but human interferon won't work. It must be the feline variety - hence the problem in locating.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Hm... Too bad my aunt and uncle live in Florida, because I know that they could get it if they had access to it. They are caring for 9 cats at home and pick up stray after hurricanes and, in one case, the fall of a local crack house. My family sort of thinks its odd, but I really like them. Now, back to the matter at hand, good luck on picking it up from David.

 

[GeoffS]

Oh... heh... overnight it came to me what we sold was under the name Wellferon, but that won't help either I guess... good luck with your search!

 

[petrusbroder]

Hi Dan,
You have my symapthy - I have had quite a few cats (until my daughter became allergic to dandruff from ... just cats ..)
Here is some info:

Feline recombinant interferon for treatment of virus infections is called
Vibragen Omega, produced by Virbac. Virbac has representation in Australia, UK, and Mexico, but not in Canada (AFAIK and could find out just now, I hope I am wrong).

If you have not found this english site yet ... the owner may be able to help you, he is in UK.

I am sorry that I can not help you more.

 

[Spacehead]

Here's a list of veterinarians in the UK.

Good luck Dan!

 

[GeoffS]

Is this a US distributor? They are based in MA...

Geoff

 

[GeoffS]

Also... THIS article seems to indicate it's available in Canada...

...feline recombinant (Virbagen Omega, Virbac; available only in Europe and Canada at this time) ...

 

[Assimilator1]

petrusbroder
Your link is dead

Dan
If you have no luck with your contact give me a shout (PM) ,I'll see if I can help,
I'm in the UK btw ,SE England

GL
Mark

 

[DanC]

Thanks so much Mark. YGPM.

 

[DanC]

Thanks everyone. It was a desperate hope, but in vain.

Even with direct prior approval from the FDA, we can't pull this off. I wish it were different, but it's not.

Guess I'd best go spent some time with my little one.

 

[Assimilator1]

Nm ,seen edited top post
Sorry to hear that Dan

 

[RaySun2Be]

Unfortunately, we must be satisfied with making
her as comfortable as possible, until it's time to bid her goodbye. (which will likely not be a very long time.)

Sorry to hear that Dan.

 

[OhioDude]

Obviously you have done your homework if you know that Recombinant Feline Interferon Omega is the only promising treatment for FIP so I can't offer any information or advice. Just my sympathy and a little prayer for the poor little soul.

How sad.

 

[petrusbroder]

Please accept my sympathy, Dan. I am sorry for your family, yourself and for your four-footed family member.

 

[vss1980]

Sorry Dan.

Strangely enough I think knowing that there is a cure out there but your unable to get it is worse than say 50 years ago where you wouldn't have known anything at all. One would be more accepting of fate.
You have my sympathy for both the sadness and infuration this will cause.

 

[WizzardOfOzz]

not sure if you read this already..

Human interferon alpha
Dose: Non-effusive feline infectious peritonitis (FIP): 30 i.u./daily or for 7 days at alternate weeks given by mouth.

In effusive FIP 30 i.u./daily can be used, or larger doses of interferon can be given by intramuscular injection daily (104 - 106 i.u. per day). By 6-7 weeks, if the cat is still alive, interferon will no longer work at this dose because the cat will make antibodies against it.

To obtain human interferon-alpha (Roferon or Intron A), write a prescription for your local pharmacist. Obviously, in areas where feline interferon is available it is preferable as it is likely to have more effect than the human interferon.

Diluting human interferon
To get 30 i.u./ml: Intron A can be obtained as 1 million i.u. for about £10.00. Dilute whole vial in one litre of saline, giving 3000 i.u./ml. Put one ml of 3000 i.u./ml into 99ml of saline, to get 30 i.u. per millilitre. Aliquot into 1ml volumes* and freeze for up to a year. Defrost as required, keep refrigerated for up to a week.

sorry to hear of your pets problem..

 

[DanC]

Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts, and support.

There are those who'd say she's "just a cat" - but to us (we have no children)
she is so much more.

I've talked the Vet into formulating a concentrated prednisolone (takes the fever away)
in a higher dosage that tastes like tuna. She does like tuna... so perhaps it will be less of a fight to get the medication into her.

There have been cats with FIP known to live up to 10 months on just the regimen that we're using now, without interferon. It appears to be non-effusive FIP, so there's some chance that her time with us may be extended, if we can control the fever.

I see so many cats just wandering around, eating from garbage cans, killing mice, etc... and they seem so healthy, why must my little girl die?