FIP is one of the most mysterious diseases a cat can get. It is seen more often in younger cats and in households with multiple cats, along with cats that spend time outdoors. The virus that causes this disease is spread by respiratory secretions and feces. Litter that is contaminated with the virus is easily trapped on a cats fur, which is ultimately swallowed when the cat grooms. Cats infected with FeLV are more at risk of developing this disease.
This disease has two major manifestations. The first is called the "dry form". Cats that have this form have vague symptoms that come and go, and can affect many different systems in the body. They might be lethargic, have poor appetites, and look ill. Many will have a fever that might wax and wane. The symptoms we see with this form of FIP can mimic other common diseases of cats.
The other manifestation of this disease is called the "wet form", and is where the original name of "peritonitis" (inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity) came from. It is called this because fluid accumulates in the abdomen or the chest. Pets with this form of the disease may have breathing difficulty or distended abdomens, in addition to some of the symptoms of the "dry form".
The virus can also infect the brain or spinal cord. This form of the disease can sometimes be diagnosed by an eye exam. Changes can be noted in the back of the eye, especially the retina.
Diagnosis is difficult in many cases, particularly in the dry form. We do not have a blood test that tells us if the virus is present like we have with FeLV and FIV. The test we do have tells us if antibodies have been made to the category of virus that FIP belongs to, but it does not tell us if it is the actual FIP virus or not. In addition to specific FIP antibody test, blood samples, X-rays and fluid analysis are also used, and are utilized especially in cats that have the wet form. The only way to be 100% certain of the diagnosis is to biopsy one of the abdominal lymph nodes, the kidneys, or the liver.
The following x-rays are of a normal cat first, and then one with the wet form of FIP. Approximately 100 ml (3 ounces) of fluid was removed from the chest of the cat with the fluid. After the fluid was removed it was analyzed because other diseases can cause fluid in the thorax (pleural effusion) also.
Over the years many different
treatments have been attempted to alleviate symptoms of this disease.
Some of them seem to work for variable periods of time, so they are
worth trying in some cases. These include antibiotics, immune system
stimulators, and vitamins. Since it is difficult to confirm the
presence of this disease, especially in the dry form, it is worth the
effort to treat your cat symptomatically. Unfortunately, the long
term outcome is poor. Cats with confirmed cases of FIP usually
succumb within a few months.
Cats living in households that already had a cat die of FIP have a less than 5 percent chance of developing FIP, mostly because they have already been exposed to the virus and fought it off. Siblings of cats that died of FIP have a greater chance of developing the problem. The most important factor in controlling FIP is limiting the number of cats in a house, preferably to less than 5.
Wait at least one month before
introducing a new cat to house that had a cat die of FIP. Cleaning
the litter pan often and preventing litter from tracking throughout
the house may be helpful Clean as thoroughly as possible using a 1:32
dilution of household bleach. Remove all cat related products that
can not be thoroughly cleaned.
In recent years a vaccine has been developed to help prevent this problem. Even though no guarantee can be given as to the effectiveness of this vaccine due to the mysterious nature of this disease, it causes no harm, and is recommended for those cats that go outdoors. It is administered as drops in the nose.
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