| Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is not a well | | | | - Anemia |
| understood disease. It's believed Feline Enteric | | | | - Conjunctivitis |
| Coronavirus (FECV) - (Felin Coronavirus FeCoV) | | | | - Jaundiced |
| mutates within the cat into Feline Infectious | | | | - Weakness |
| Peritonitis Virus. | | | | - Seizures |
| FECV infection - especially in multi-cat environments - | | | | - Kidney failure |
| is common but most infected cats don't develop FIP. | | | | - Liver failure |
| FIP shows a strong preference for immune | | | | Diagnosis and Treatment |
| weakened cats - kittens under 2 years, cats 12 | | | | Diagnosis is difficult. There are a number of different |
| years and older and cats who are immune | | | | test but no single test gives a definitive result. Vets |
| compromised. | | | | will often use a combination of tests as well as clinical |
| Technically speaking, Peritonitis is an infection of the | | | | signs and symptoms. |
| abdomen - the peritoneal cavity. FIP actually can | | | | There is no cure for FIP. Treatment is for supportive |
| affect all body systems, tho it's often recognized | | | | care and discomfort. |
| first (and most visibly) as fluid accumulation in the | | | | Prevention |
| abdomen. | | | | The only sure prevention is lack of contact with |
| There are two forms of FIP: | | | | infected cats. Since infection alone is no guarantee |
| 1. Wet - "effusive" - results from fluid in the chest | | | | FIP will develop, keeping your cats immune system |
| and abdomen. If in the chest, the cat will have | | | | strong is the best defense. Good nutrition and limited |
| difficulty breathing. If in the abdomen, the cat will | | | | stress are immune supportive. This is especially true |
| develop a "pot belly". | | | | for kittens and seniors. |
| 2. Dry effects the same organs at wet, but without | | | | There is a vaccine for FIP but it's not necessarily |
| fluid accumulation. Dry is the more common form. | | | | beneficial. |
| It takes about two weeks for the FIP virus to | | | | A study done at Cornell University showed the |
| become widespread. Cats generally become | | | | vaccine could in fact enhance the disease. There |
| symptomatic within two months following and often | | | | have also been reports of severe reactions to the |
| don't live a year. | | | | vaccine. Also, the vaccine does not work with |
| Symptoms include: | | | | previously infected cats. Since corona virus infection |
| - Fever | | | | is fairly common, many cats are already infected. |
| - Vomiting | | | | It's always important to weight the risks and rewards |
| - Diarrhea | | | | for your individual situation. |
| - Loss of appetite and weight loss | | | | |