Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Molnupiravir treatment results for cats with infectious peritonitis
By Clark, T M et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2025·Veterinary Specialist Services, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of feline infectious peritonitis in cats with molnupiravir: clinical observations and outcomes for 54 cases.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) were treated with a medication called molnupiravir to see how well it worked. Out of 54 cats treated, those on molnupiravir alone had a cure rate of 72%, while those receiving it as maintenance therapy had an even better cure rate of 86%. Remarkably, all cats who needed it as a rescue therapy were cured. The study found that molnupiravir was just as effective as another treatment called remdesivir, making it a promising option for FIP in cats. Some cats experienced mild side effects, but overall, the treatment showed good results.
People also search for: cat FIP treatment · molnupiravir for cats · feline infectious peritonitis cure · remdesivir vs molnupiravir for cats
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical applications and treatment outcomes using molnupiravir for the treatment of naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPv). METHODS: Ninety-two client-owned cats with confirmed or presumptive FIP were retrospectively recruited from 35 veterinary practices, primarily in Australia, between February 2023 and March 2024. Cats were categorised based on treatment received: Cohort A: Molnupiravir treatment: monotherapy, maintenance or rescue therapy; Cohort B: Remdesivir and/or GS-441524 treatment. Seventy-eight cats were enrolled. Molnupiravir was administered orally for a median of 84 days, at a median dose of 13.3 mg/kg BID. Remission was defined as the resolution of FIP-related signs with (i) normalisation of serum globulin concentrations and A:G ratio (≥0.6), or (ii) sustained clinical remission for at least 100 days after stopping anti-viral therapy. Cure rate was defined as the percentage of cats achieving sustained remission, without requiring rescue therapy or experiencing a relapsed disease. RESULTS: Molnupiravir monotherapy resulted in a cure rate of 72% (13/18) while molnupiravir maintenance therapy achieved a cure rate of 86% (25/29), and molnupiravir utilised as a rescue therapy achieved a cure rate of 100% (7/7). Treatment with remdesivir/GS-441524 resulted in a cure rate of 71% (17/24 cats). Survival analysis revealed no difference in outcomes between cats treated with molnupiravir monotherapy and those treated with remdesivir/GS-441524. Adverse events associated with molnupiravir therapy included neutropenia, and transient elevations in hepatic enzymes. CONCLUSION: Molnupiravir demonstrated comparable survival outcomes to remdesivir/GS-441524 for treating FIP and serves as an accessible, effective option across various presentations, including ocular and neurologic forms.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40234239/