Always start with worried cat owners. “The owner of a cat with the FIP virus, who has a cat that dies and therefore now uses those illegally imported medicines very often,” Mollaert says. For several years, roughly since the coronavirus crisis, various Facebook groups have been established in which the medicine is offered.
Interested cat owners are happy to pay in hopes of saving their beloved pet. A serious price tag is attached to it, the medicine costs on average around 3,000 euros. After payment, the product is then delivered in a fake food supplement or cosmetic package.
Veterinarians should not assist in administering or injecting the drug. “Even if vets would like to treat all animals, we are not allowed to inject illegal drugs, we could lose our jobs,” Mollaert says.
However, he recommends always being guided to the vet if you suspect your cat has the FIP virus: “We are still the first people who can work on a diagnosis, but the vet shouldn’t actively participate in those medications. The owner is completely on his own. in this regard, unfortunately we have nothing to do with this “.
