Tierhilfe Wolfsburg saves tomcat Niko from certain death!

Tierhilfe Wolfsburg saves tomcat Niko from certain death!

A heartwarming rescue operation has taken place in Wolfsburg, and the story of Niko the cat from Hamburg is moving animal lovers in the city. Niko was scheduled to be euthanized due to a suspected fatal disease, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). The alternative was unbearable for the cat's desperate family because the symptoms he was showing - severe abdominal pain and vomiting - were alarming. But at the last minute, the animal protection association came to help and organized a rescue operation. The tomcat became Animal Aid Wolfsburg where the veterinarians quickly expressed initial doubts about the FIP diagnosis.

Once there, it turned out that the diagnosis was wrong. An x-ray revealed that Niko had cigarette filters in his stomach that had caused the discomfort, rather than the dreaded virus. In a rescue operation, the veterinarians were able to remove four cigarette filters. Niko now has to rest, but has a chance of recovery. Animal Aid Wolfsburg is entrusted with his care and hopes for a speedy recovery, even if the cat isn't out of the woods yet.

FIP: A serious threat to cats

FIP is a serious disease in cats caused by the Feline Coronavirus (FCoV). The virus mutates in the cat's body, often in animals with weakened immune systems. There are several forms of FIP that cause different symptoms, such as the wet form with fluid accumulation or the dry form that causes inflammation in organs. Some cats even struggle with neurological abnormalities.

• Feuchte Form: Flüssigkeitsansammlungen im Bauch- oder Brustraum.
• Trockene Form: Knoten und Entzündungen in Organen wie Leber und Nieren.
• Okulare Form: Veränderungen der Augen.
• Neurologische Form: Krämpfe und/oder Lähmungen.

As the Paw help Loisachtal reported, symptoms can be very non-specific, including loss of appetite, fever and weight loss. Nevertheless, advances in treatment have significantly improved the chances of recovery. With the active ingredient GS-441524, cure rates can be over 80% with early diagnosis and treatment. This is encouraging news for cat owners, even though the drug is not officially approved in Germany.

Challenges and costs of treatment

However, the cost of FIP treatment can be a hurdle. These are on average between 2,000 and 6,000 euros for the necessary 84 days, although veterinary examinations and accompanying medications are not included. The factors affecting the cost vary depending on the size and weight of the cat and the type of treatment chosen.

However, there are alternative measures for cat owners to minimize the risk of FIP infection. These include stress reduction, hygiene in the cat household and avoiding overcrowding. Unfortunately, a direct vaccination against FIP ​​remains an unfulfilled wish.

With its tireless work, Tierhilfe Wolfsburg makes important contributions to the rescue and recovery of injured and sick animals. A story like Niko's reminds us once again how valuable commitment and compassion are in animal protection. Further information about their work can be found at deinwolfsburg.de.