Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a progressive, systemic and sometimes fatal disease of domestic and wild cats. It is most commonly seen in young cats that live in multi-cat households.Feline infectious peritonitis is caused by organisms in the coronavirus group. It is spread between cats that are in close and continuous physical contact – primarily through contact with viral particles in fecal and oral secretions from infected cats. Stress and genetics are thought to contribute
The majority of cats that are infected with feline coronavirus do not develop clinical signs of disease. However, those that do tend to have a poor prognosis. When clinical disease develops, it is called feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP.Cats with FIP often show no symptoms of illness. When signs do appear, they can vary widely and usually are nonspecific. Symptoms of FIP can include:There are two clinical presentations of FIP, called the wet (effusive) form
Feline infections peritonitis (FIP) can be difficult and frustrating to diagnose, because there are no specific, reliable tests for this disease. Frequently, the attending veterinarian will make the diagnosis based upon the cat’s observable symptoms, together with the results of blood tests, radiographs (X-rays) and possibly tissue biopsies.Feline infectious peritonitis is often suspected based upon a cat’s presenting clinical signs, which typically include fever, ocular (eye) and nasal discharge, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight
Feline infectious peritonitis is an incurable illness. The goals of treatment are to manage the affected cat’s comfort and try to ensure a pain-free quality of life for as long as possible.Fortunately, the feline coronavirus can be killed by household disinfectants, such as a bleach-water combination in a 1:32 part dilution. Multi-cat environments should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Once a cat develops observable signs of FIP – either the wet or the dry form