17/08/2026
One of the most heartbreaking situations we face—multiple times every day—is a family unable to afford the enormous veterinary bills associated with a critically ill cat.
Every week, we communicate for endless hours with families whose cats are crashing and ultimately pass away because they could not afford thousands of dollars in emergency care. It is gut-wrenching to know what a cat needs but are mostly powerless. Occasionally, after many hours of virtual guidance, we can help a family provide basic supportive care at home and save the cat, but when a cat is critically ill, at-home stabilization attempts are usually not enough. Again, this is because parents often can't afford thousands to seek the help of an ER.
Although FIP can be strongly suspected from a cat's history, symptoms, examination, and basic blood work, families may be encouraged to pursue extensive diagnostics before treatment begins. X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, PCR testing, specialty consultations, emergency visits, and hospitalization for stabilization can quickly push the total cost to $10,000 or more. A trial of FIP treatment is generally only a few hundred — an affordable option for most, but one that is rarely suggested.
The antiviral medication used to treat FIP—GS-441524 and, in some countries, remdesivir or molnupiravir—is the most affordable part of the entire process as long as you learn which pharmacies offer reasonable pricing and where to find experienced, safe, research-followed guidance if you must wait for delivery (delays) as most practices do not stock the antivirals, which is actually the biggest issue we're facing today.
When the evidence strongly points to FIP, treatment should not be needlessly delayed. A properly dosed, closely monitored two-week antiviral trial (injections work best as learned by nearly a decade of tracking responses and outcomes across the various FIP groups--and yes, your vet CAN prescribe them, even if they say they can't--combined with appropriate veterinary supportive care) can provide powerful clinical evidence. Depending on the cat's condition, supportive care may include warming, assisted feeding, hydration, prednisolone, anti-nausea or appetite-support medications, and medications for pain or seizures.
FIP antivirals are well tolerated, and cats with FIP often respond well when treatment starts promptly. Beginning treatment while continuing to evaluate other possible diagnoses may be safer and far more affordable than waiting days or weeks for additional testing while a cat continues to decline.
If your cat's symptoms, test results, your research, and your instincts all point toward FIP—but your veterinarian will not prescribe treatment or immediately recommends euthanasia—seek another opinion. Find a veterinarian who will work with you, or ask us for a referral to a supportive veterinarian in your area.
Since prescription-compounded GS-441524 became available in mid-2024, we have seen far too many cats decline or die while families were "waiting for medication," "waiting for test results," or trying to find thousands of dollars they had been told treatment would cost. Others spent everything they had on diagnostics and had nothing left for treatment or lifesaving stabilization.
Too many families contact us when it is already too late. That is what drove me to write this post, and it's maddening that we can't get these statistics into the hands of those who have the influence or power to push for change...and we need to talk about it, especially the ongoing push from vets to euthanize.
Do not let unnecessary delays, misinformation about cost, or a lack of resources prevent you from advocating for your cat. Start asking questions, seek experienced help, and begin fundraising as early as possible.
I sincerely hope this list of fundraising ideas — and why treatment should not be delayed — helps more families advocate for and afford the veterinary care and treatment their cats need, and gives more FIP cats a chance to survive.
