Season 8 Episode 11: Brix, the ICU, FIP, and a Spooky Cat Fungus

Send us Fan MailA kitten can look “a little off” on Sunday and be fighting for his life by Monday morning, and that reality changes how you read the science headlines. We breakdown Brix’s terrifying ICU stay, what we learned from the veterinary team, and why we’re still watching his recovery like a hawk.First, we dig into a genuinely spooky health threat: Sporothrix brasiliensis, a cat-associated fungal disease that can spread to humans and other animals. We talk through what symptoms can look like, why experts are concerned about the fungus moving north, and how transmission differs from the usual “inhaled spores” narrative. We also cover the practical risk points for shelters, vet clinics, and rescue groups, including how long it can survive on surfaces and what disinfectants are effective when cleaning is done right.Then we shift to FIP, feline infectious peritonitis, the diagnosis Bricks most likely has, even though his case is atypical. We explain how common feline coronavirus is, why cats don’t “catch FIP” directly from each other, and why wet FIP and dry FIP can look so different. Most importantly, we talk about the modern turning point: antiviral treatment like GS-441524, what monitoring looks like during recovery, and why starting early can move survival odds dramatically.If you care about cat health, emerging zoonotic disease, and the newest breakthroughs in veterinary medicine, hit play, share this with a cat parent who needs it, and subscribe, rate, and review so more people can find the show.Support the showFor Science, Empathy, and Cuteness!Being Kind is a Superpower.All our social links are here!