FIP (feline infectious peritonitis)

This fatal disease is not a typical infectious disease. Your cat's immune system, in an attempt to fight against this virus is actuallyspeeding along the process of the disease.

If you are considering taking a stray cat into your home, you should bly consider having it tested for FIP, as well as any other possible diseases. This should especially be considered if you already have cats in your home, to avoid infecting your current cats.

FIP is often difficult to diagnose because each cat can display different signs that are similar to those of many other diseases.

Types:

Spread:

• Most cats become infected by inhaling or ingesting the virus, either by direct contact with an infected cat, or by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces like clothing, bedding, feeding bowls, or toys.
• Infected cats "shed" the virus in their saliva and feces

Transmission to humans (and dogs):

• As of yet, there is no evidence that transmission occurs, despite extensive research.
• FIP virus is similar to a common virus of dogs - canine coronavirus, that produces enteritis in dogs

Possible Signs:

• Some cats may experience a mild upper respiratory disease that is characterized by sneezing, watery eyes, and watery nasal discharge.
• Other cats may experience a mild intestinal disease.
• General illness, fever, weight loss, anorexia, anemia
• Swollen abdomen
• Central nervous system disorders
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Eye disease

Cure:

• FIP is considered to be fatal once a positive diagnosis is made. As of yet, there is no cure
• Short term remissions may occur with use of some treatments

Vaccines:

• A vaccine against FIP exists, but cats must be at least 16 weeks old before being vaccinated.
• By this time they may have been exposed by their littermates or other cats.
• Therefore the vaccine may not be effective.

Prevention:

• Be sure to have your cat tested.
• The KELA, ELISA, IFA, and virus-neutralization tests can usually be used. If a positive result occurs, the cat may have been previously exposed to a coronavirus. This result could occur from the vaccination.
• There are 2 new types of tests that attempt to look for the disease more directly.
• The "immunoperoxidase test" can diagnose FIP more accurately than a traditional histopathologic examination. It detects virus-infected cells in the tissue. However, a biopsy of affected tissue is necessary for evaluation.
• There is another antigen test that utilizes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect viral genetic material in tissue or body fluid.
  This test does shows promise, however PCR is presently only capable of detecting coronaviruses in general, and not necessarily those that cause FIP. 

Multi Cat Households:

• It is recommended that positive cats & negative cats not be housed together.
• If you must keep a positive cat, be sure it is kept away from all other cats (housed in a different room) and that it has it's own food & water bowls, as well as it's own litter box/pan.

New Cats:

• The virus can survive for a number of weeks in the environment. However, it is rapidly inactivated by most household detergents and disinfectants
• Cleaning:
  Thoroughly disinfect or replace the food dishes, litter pans, and bedding that were used by the infected cat.
  Tile or hard surfaced floors should be cleaned and disinfected with a diluted bleach solution (approx. 4 oz. household bleach to 1 gal. water).
  Thoroughly vacuum rugs to eliminate the virus from carpeting.

Euthanasia

• The idea of euthanizing a positive cat is one that must be addressed in each individual case, in consultation with the attending veterinarian.

Some of the preceding has been adapted from the Cornell Feline Health Center's information on Feline Infectious Peritonitis and other veterinary resources.
It is presented for informational use only.
Please see your veterinarian if you suspect any illnesses in you pet(s).