FIP
Alternative therapies help IMPROVE LIFE
for FIP cats
by Mark Newkirk, VMD

< Previous Page

Alternative medicine offers more options

When dealing with FIP, blending traditional and alternative therapies can really help. In my practice, as a preventative, we will often use the traditional vaccine for high-risk cats, since it is fairly effective and has a low incidence of side effects. There may be some temporary sneezing and a runny nose after administering the vaccine, since it is given intranasally. I have also used homeopathic nosodes in the prevention of FIP, although nosodes are not recognized as “legal” therapies in North America, so I don’t use them without a thorough discussion with the client.

I use combinations of alternative therapies in the treatment of FIP. I’ve not found interferon to be much help, and instead use Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET), viral detoxifying herbs, and raw food or cleansing diets, along with sterols and sterolins (Thorne, Moducare/Moduvet) which can help modify the immune response in viral diseases.

I also strongly urge guardians not to vaccinate for any other diseases, to isolate the cat from other felines, and to minimize or stop the use of flea and/or heartworm medications. NAETis very useful in stimulating the immune system against the FIP virus, detoxifying the blood, and balancing organs that may be affected by the disease. Glandular therapy to support specific organs, such as thymus (immune organ) and adrenal (body stress organ), can also be instituted. A metabolic nutritional analysis is very helpful to find and correct any imbalances or deficiencies in the body.

Western or Chinese viral detoxifying herbs are also helpful in the treatment of FIP. I use a combination of Lomatium root, Echinacea Angustafolia and Purpura root, as well as Spilanthes herb and root. In addition, licorice root can be used to reduce inflammation while St. John’s wort will lessen anxiety. A nice combination of these herbs is made by Azmira (Viral Detox). Herbs can be given with food, but generally work better when administered on their own. They are often very bitter, though, and may need to be mixed with something sweet, especially for cats.

While there isn’t a “cure” for FIP, the therapies outlined do help extend life comfortably for those cats affected. For Smokey, we tapped his abdomen once to release fluid early on, and followed a similar regimen to that above. He and Joanna enjoyed another incredible two years of companionship before Smokey finally succumbed to the disease. Most important to Joanna, using an integrative approach allowed Smokey to live comfortably, without pain, during this precious time.

DR. MARK NEWKIRK IS WITH THE MARGATE ANIMAL HOSPITAL & ALTERNATIVE CARE CENTER IN MARGATE CITY, NEW JERSEY.

< Previous Page

Published in the February/March 2005 issue of Animal Wellness