RESULTS OF LONGTIME TREATMENT OF FIV SEROPOSITIVE CATS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES WITH ZIDOVUDINE (AZIDOTHYMIDINE, AZT)

The mean peak plasma concentration of AZT was 4.59 muM 1 hour after or al administration of 5 mg/kg BW. Elimination half time was 1.5 h. The permanent oral application of AZT (Azidothymidine, Zidovudine, Retrovi r(R)) at a dosage of 5 mg/kg BW t.ix.d. led to a total recovery free o f clinical signs for up to 2 years 4 to 6 weeks after beginning of the application in 6 of 9 FIV seropositive cats with chronic diseases. On e cat clinically improved with only sporadical recurrence of disease, therapy had to be terminated in 2 cats. During the treatment with AZT hyperproteinemia and incorrect albumin/globulin ratio became normal wi thin 6 months in 4 FIV positive cats. In 5 of 8 cats RBC, PCV and hemo globin decreased until the 4th week of application of Zidovudine, but they were within the normal range after 3 months. Heinz bodies located in the erythrocytes were noticed in 2 FIV positive cats 2 weeks after starting the therapy.