From the Streets to a Forever Home

Baby Blue's story began in the harsh reality of abandonment. Left to fend for himself with his sister, he learned to survive by blending into a feral cat colony. Food was scarce, danger was constant, and trust in humans was long lost. Then came the call—a property owner wanted the cats gone. Fat Cat Rescue stepped in to trap and assess the situation. Among the truly feral cats, Baby Blue and his sister stood out. They weren’t wild; they were survivors, pretending to be street cats just to stay alive.

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Baby Blue’s sister found a wonderful home quickly, and soon after, Baby Blue himself was adopted by Kaye Larsen, founder of Fat Cat Rescue, Inc. Life was finally safe, warm, and full of love. But then came the unexpected—at 1.5 years old Baby Blue was diagnosed with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a disease that once meant certain death.

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FIP: The Cat Killer That Once Had No Cure

For years, a diagnosis of FIP was a heartbreaking death sentence. The disease, caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus, came in two devastating forms: wet and dry. The wet form led to fluid accumulation in the belly and chest, causing rapid decline. The dry form, that Baby Blue had, attacked organs and the nervous system, leading to paralysis, seizures, and eventual organ failure.

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There was a time when nothing could be done. Fat Cat Rescue had lost a young cat named Stevie Ray Vaughn to FIP years earlier, desperately searching for any possible treatment, even pleading for inclusion in university trials. But options were nonexistent. The only thing left was to say goodbye.

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Then, everything changed. Underground treatments emerged, passed from one desperate cat owner to another, bringing hope where none had existed before. A medication known as GS-441524, an antiviral related to Remdesivir, began showing miraculous results. But there was a problem—it wasn’t FDA-approved, and the only way to obtain it was through unregulated, black-market sources.

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The Battle Against FIP Begins

When Baby Blue was diagnosed, Kaye didn’t hesitate. He was down to 5 pounds and pulling out his fur. Kaye turned to the FIP Warriors, a network of pet parents, rescuers, and advocates who had found ways to access GS-441524. The treatment was grueling—84 days of daily injections that burned like battery acid, leaving Baby Blue screaming in pain. Every shot was a test of endurance, but stopping wasn’t an option.

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March 2023 marked one month into treatment. Baby Blue was already improving—his back legs grew stronger, his awareness sharpened, and his spirit returned. By April, he was running, playing, and showing the heart of a lion. On his final treatment day, he dressed up in a little shirt and tie, a true gentleman for his vet visit.

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Then came the moment of truth—his bloodwork results. The vet confirmed it: Baby Blue was FIP-free. Whether in remission or fully cured, it was a victory against a disease that had claimed too many before him. The Fat Cat Rescue family, the FIP Warriors, and everyone who had followed his journey celebrated the incredible news.

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A Future Full of Hope

Today, Baby Blue is 18 pounds, fully fluffy, and embraces every moment. He runs, jumps, and plays with a joy that seems to acknowledge just how close he came to losing it all. Every deep breath he takes, every playful pounce, is a thank-you to those who refused to give up on him.

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His story is more than just one cat’s victory—it’s a testament to progress. GS-441524 is no longer just a black-market hope. As of June 2024, it is a fully legal treatment option. Treatments are becoming more accessible, and ongoing research is working to make them more affordable for everyone. FIP is no longer a certain death sentence, and that gives thousands of cats a fighting chance.

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Baby Blue is living proof that miracles do happen—with science, with advocacy, and with love.

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Resources on FIP:

• FIP Warriors – A support group for cat owners navigating FIP treatment.

• SOCK FIP – Information on FIP research and treatment updates.

• The Winn Feline Foundation – Ongoing research into feline diseases, including FIP.

• UC Davis FIP Research – A leading institution in FIP research.