? Felix treatment for FIV January 10 help

[Liliana Iliana]

Felix has some growths at the base of his tongue that are now inflamed. Vet said is related with FIV. He started on antibiotics 2 days ago plus nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and the vet suggested i should give him a treatment with Oral Recombinant Feline Interferon Omega for his FIV. It is kind of expensive but i am wondering if you know something about this drug and if it's working even for a while. I have read about it and i understood is working for some cats, for others not to much or not for long time. Any advice for me? Should i go for it? Does anyone have experience with this or know someone who does? I incline to go for it but i would like to have some more information.

 

[kira913]

I have heard about the use of Interferon Omega in cases of stomatitis, which is often associated with FIV. I don't know that it treats the FIV itself, but it's supposed to help with that mouth inflammation. From what I recall from looking into it around this time in 2024, there was some promising research regarding it, but my area of the US did not really have it known and/or readily available. Depending on the expense, it may be worth trying.

My own kitty Angus struggled horribly with stomatitis for a while -- steroids were the most helpful in managing it initially, but it just kept persisting every time we upped his doseage. I can't recall all the other medication we trialed. There was something from newer research my vet decided to try us on, more used in dogs I think, and it helped for like a week before the stomatitis came back with a vengeance.

The best known treatment for most stomatitis cases is a full mouth extraction (FME). I know a lot of people are hesitant to make that decision right away, since it's expensive and sounds extreme. I was the same way, and so was my vet. That last medication attempt caused a flare-up with so much pain, he needed opioids to eat at all. That forced our hand and I got him an FME in August or so of 2024. I could tell how much better he felt the moment I picked him up from surgery, he snapped right back to his old self. I kept him on wet food for quite some time after that bc it was easier to give him the gel supplements his orthodontist recommended, but he was able to eat dry food again no problem after a while. In your shoes, I would get an idea of what an FME might cost you and talk to your vet about that option vs Interferon Omega. If you try Interferon Omega for a bit and it doesn't seem to be moving the bar, I would advise looking at an FME sooner than later. It would have saved my own kitty months of pain, and I regret not going for it sooner.

 

[Liliana Iliana]

I have heard about the use of Interferon Omega in cases of stomatitis, which is often associated with FIV. I don't know that it treats the FIV itself, but it's supposed to help with that mouth inflammation. From what I recall from looking into it around this time in 2024, there was some promising research regarding it, but my area of the US did not really have it known and/or readily available. Depending on the expense, it may be worth trying.

My own kitty Angus struggled horribly with stomatitis for a while -- steroids were the most helpful in managing it initially, but it just kept persisting every time we upped his doseage. I can't recall all the other medication we trialed. There was something from newer research my vet decided to try us on, more used in dogs I think, and it helped for like a week before the stomatitis came back with a vengeance.

The best known treatment for most stomatitis cases is a full mouth extraction (FME). I know a lot of people are hesitant to make that decision right away, since it's expensive and sounds extreme. I was the same way, and so was my vet. That last medication attempt caused a flare-up with so much pain, he needed opioids to eat at all. That forced our hand and I got him an FME in August or so of 2024. I could tell how much better he felt the moment I picked him up from surgery, he snapped right back to his old self. I kept him on wet food for quite some time after that bc it was easier to give him the gel supplements his orthodontist recommended, but he was able to eat dry food again no problem after a while. In your shoes, I would get an idea of what an FME might cost you and talk to your vet about that option vs Interferon Omega. If you try Interferon Omega for a bit and it doesn't seem to be moving the bar, I would advise looking at an FME sooner than later. It would have saved my own kitty months of pain, and I regret not going for it sooner.

Hi, Felix had his FME about 4 months ago. I had long conversation with my vet over the last 3 days and she is convinced is not stomatitis! She said he's gums are healthy. What Felix has is a problem caused by FIV. She wants to put Felix on treatment with cyclosporine in the beginning and if is not working then to try interferon. On Friday we have another appointment and start treatment. Thank you for your replay and advise!

 

[kira913]

Hi, Felix had his FME about 4 months ago. I had long conversation with my vet over the last 3 days and she is convinced is not stomatitis! She said he's gums are healthy. What Felix has is a problem caused by FIV. She wants to put Felix on treatment with cyclosporine in the beginning and if is not working then to try interferon. On Friday we have another appointment and start treatment. Thank you for your replay and advise!

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear your Felix already had FME and is still having problems... Fingers crossed for the cyclosporin working well.

I don't know if it will make any difference in your case, but Angus's orthodontist highly recommended a 1-TDC supplement to help any residual inflammation. If I took him off of it for longer than a week, it seemed like his mouth sensitivity would return. He wouldn't let me look in his mouth to check level of actual inflammation. It might be worth adding 1-TDC in with the cyclosporine if your vet is okay with the idea. Cheaper that the interferon probably, at least! This was the brand I was using.

Angus was still on 1-TDC with no mouth issues until the day he crossed the rainbow bridge last year due to spinal lymphoma. I'd offer to send you what I have left, but I was notorious for leaving the cap off the bottle with my ADHD, and it's been on the counter for 6 months...

 

[Liliana Iliana]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear your Felix already had FME and is still having problems... Fingers crossed for the cyclosporin working well.

I don't know if it will make any difference in your case, but Angus's orthodontist highly recommended a 1-TDC supplement to help any residual inflammation. If I took him off of it for longer than a week, it seemed like his mouth sensitivity would return. He wouldn't let me look in his mouth to check level of actual inflammation. It might be worth adding 1-TDC in with the cyclosporine if your vet is okay with the idea. Cheaper that the interferon probably, at least! This was the brand I was using.

Angus was still on 1-TDC with no mouth issues until the day he crossed the rainbow bridge last year due to spinal lymphoma. I'd offer to send you what I have left, but I was notorious for leaving the cap off the bottle with my ADHD, and it's been on the counter for 6 months...

1-TDC is Scottish salmon oil? I am living in Europe and I never used amazon for shopping. But i found this Pure Scottish Salmon Oil for Cats – 500ml | 100% Pure Natural Omega 3, 6 & 9 Fish Oil for Cats | Salmon Oil Cats – Cat Supplement – Omega 3 for Cats – Cat Fish Oil – Cat Salmon Oil | Kitty Ketchup – BigaMart
Would this be good?

 

[kira913]

1-TDC is Scottish salmon oil? I am living in Europe and I never used amazon for shopping. But i found this Pure Scottish Salmon Oil for Cats – 500ml | 100% Pure Natural Omega 3, 6 & 9 Fish Oil for Cats | Salmon Oil Cats – Cat Supplement – Omega 3 for Cats – Cat Fish Oil – Cat Salmon Oil | Kitty Ketchup – BigaMart
Would this be good?

I'm not sure... 1-TetraDecanol Complex is salmon oil, beef tallow, and some sort of "unique fatty acid" according to the VCA website. There's likely something proprietary in there. No idea if it's a particular part or the whole blend that seems to do the trick.

I was able to find 1-TDC in the UK from this website! I have no idea if they're trustworthy, but maybe that "Pet Scholars" brand can be found elsewhere too

 

[Liliana Iliana]

I'm not sure... 1-TetraDecanol Complex is salmon oil, beef tallow, and some sort of "unique fatty acid" according to the VCA website. There's likely something proprietary in there. No idea if it's a particular part or the whole blend that seems to do the trick.

I was able to find 1-TDC in the UK from this website! I have no idea if they're trustworthy, but maybe that "Pet Scholars" brand can be found elsewhere too

Now I get it. I will talk to my vet. Looks like I can order 1 TDC from the site you give me. Thank you! It is safe for Felix diabetes?

 

[kira913]

Now I get it. I will talk to my vet. Looks like I can order 1 TDC from the site you give me. Thank you! It is safe for Felix diabetes?

I'm not certain. My Angus was healthy as a horse beyond the stomatitis, best bloodwork I've ever seen in a FeLV+/FIV+ cat even after his spinal lymphoma diagnosis.

A cursory search looks like a few members on the forum have used it with their cats no issue before. (I don't want to ping as I can't tell if they're still active, but here is one member with some more details). I would run it by your vet and monitor closely the first few supplement doses. I can't imagine it should have much effect on glucose, but it's always hard to know with some additives these days. Pants's GS-441524 for FIP given with a little churu did cause noticeable bumps in his glucose.

 

[Liliana Iliana]

I'm not certain. My Angus was healthy as a horse beyond the stomatitis, best bloodwork I've ever seen in a FeLV+/FIV+ cat even after his spinal lymphoma diagnosis.

A cursory search looks like a few members on the forum have used it with their cats no issue before. (I don't want to ping as I can't tell if they're still active, but here is one member with some more details). I would run it by your vet and monitor closely the first few supplement doses. I can't imagine it should have much effect on glucose, but it's always hard to know with some additives these days. Pants's GS-441524 for FIP given with a little churu did cause noticeable bumps in his glucose.

Thank you for all the information. Sorry for replying so late!