RUNCORN vets used ‘ground-breaking’ treatment to save a beloved family cat from a deadly virus.

Northwest Veterinary Specialists (NWVS) treated Monte, a two-year-old ginger feline, with ‘revolutionary’ medication after he contracted the disease known as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).

The life-threatening disease is caused by a feline coronavirus and is common in young cats as well as old.

Monte’s owner, Louise Gabb from Skelmersdale, said: “Sadly, two of our older cats have passed away due to illness since 2019 and we just could not believe that young Monte was poorly, too.

“However, we were very positive about the new treatment as we researched it and saw it had a very high success rate.”

The newly discovered treatment seems to be a breakthrough for vets treating FIP, with most cases previously having a 90 per cent mortality rate.

“We feel so lucky the treatment has been found and Monte has returned to living his best life, which includes sleeping, snoozing, relaxing, dozing and napping,” Louise added.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Monte received life-saving treatment at Northwest Veterinary Specialists Monte received life-saving treatment at Northwest Veterinary Specialists (Image: Supplied)

Louise began to notice something was not quite right when Monte became lethargic, and his appetite reduced.

He developed a small red spot in his eye and was referred to NWVS.

After vets at the practice made the diagnosis, they immediately got him started on the treatment known as GS-441524.

Francesca Venier, internal medicine specialist at NWVS, said: “In the past, FIP was considered a fatal disease for almost every infected patient with no truly effective medications.

“The good news is that recently there has been increasing evidence that treatment with anti-viral medications GS-441524 or remdesivir is effective as long-term cures for many cats.

“Monte was started on the treatment together with an oesophageal feeding tube to provide nutritional support. He responded very well and was allowed home just four days later.”

Francesca confirmed that poor Monte is now doing well and the practice will offer the ‘life-saving’ treatment to other cats diagnosed with FIP in the future.