Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
What is FIP?
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease caused by certain strains of the feline coronavirus. Most strains of the feline coronavirus are found in the gastrointestinal tract and cause only short periods of diarrhea and/or mild upper respiratory troubles that resolve on their own. Infected cats usually show no symptoms in the initial stages of coronavirus infection, and the virus only progresses into clinical FIP in a small number of infected cats—5% to 10%— when there is a mutation of the virus or an abnormality in the immune response. When this occurs, the mutated virus is able to spread to other organs in the cat's body (Cornell, “Feline Infectious Peritonitis,” 2014).
Symptoms
For cats who develop FIP, symptoms usually appear suddenly and increase in severity, usually resulting in death (without treatment - see "Treatment" section below). The cats often develop nonspecific symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, roughness of hair, and fever. Tissues around the infected cells, usually in the abdomen, kidney, or brain, also become intensely inflamed (Cornell, “Feline Infectious Peritonitis,” 2014).
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of FIP are not uniform, often manifesting differently in different cats, and sometimes appearing similar to other diseases, there is no definitive way to diagnose it without a biopsy. Veterinarians often diagnose based on an evaluation of the cat’s history and symptoms in combination with coronavirus test results (Cornell, “Feline Infectious Peritonitis,” 2014).
Types
There are two forms of the virus. In the wet ("effusive") form, cats will have an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, the chest cavity or both. In addition to the symptoms for both forms, cats with the wet form can show labored breathing and abdominal distension. In the dry (noneffusive") form, cats will have small accumulations of inflammatory cells form in various organs. Symptoms of the dry form depend on which organs are affected by the inflammatory cells. For example, a cat with affected kidneys will show excessive thirst and urination. The wet form usually progresses more rapidly than the dry form, but in both cases the cat's hair will become rough and dull and he will become progressively more lethargic and depressed.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease caused by certain strains of the feline coronavirus. Most strains of the feline coronavirus are found in the gastrointestinal tract and cause only short periods of diarrhea and/or mild upper respiratory troubles that resolve on their own. Infected cats usually show no symptoms in the initial stages of coronavirus infection, and the virus only progresses into clinical FIP in a small number of infected cats—5% to 10%— when there is a mutation of the virus or an abnormality in the immune response. When this occurs, the mutated virus is able to spread to other organs in the cat's body (Cornell, “Feline Infectious Peritonitis,” 2014).
Symptoms
For cats who develop FIP, symptoms usually appear suddenly and increase in severity, usually resulting in death (without treatment - see "Treatment" section below). The cats often develop nonspecific symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, roughness of hair, and fever. Tissues around the infected cells, usually in the abdomen, kidney, or brain, also become intensely inflamed (Cornell, “Feline Infectious Peritonitis,” 2014).
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of FIP are not uniform, often manifesting differently in different cats, and sometimes appearing similar to other diseases, there is no definitive way to diagnose it without a biopsy. Veterinarians often diagnose based on an evaluation of the cat’s history and symptoms in combination with coronavirus test results (Cornell, “Feline Infectious Peritonitis,” 2014).
Types
There are two forms of the virus. In the wet ("effusive") form, cats will have an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, the chest cavity or both. In addition to the symptoms for both forms, cats with the wet form can show labored breathing and abdominal distension. In the dry (noneffusive") form, cats will have small accumulations of inflammatory cells form in various organs. Symptoms of the dry form depend on which organs are affected by the inflammatory cells. For example, a cat with affected kidneys will show excessive thirst and urination. The wet form usually progresses more rapidly than the dry form, but in both cases the cat's hair will become rough and dull and he will become progressively more lethargic and depressed.
FIP survivor, Pinto Bean
Risk
FIP is not spread externally and, therefore, is not usually spread between cats. Any cat that carries any coronavirus is potentially at risk for developing FIP because FIP occurs when coronavirus mutates within its host. However, cats with weak immune systems are most likely to develop the disease, including kittens under two years of age (Jones), cats already infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and geriatric cats. Most cats that develop FIP are under two years of age, but cats of any age may develop the disease.
Treatment
An FIP diagnosis used to be a death sentence, but a new drug has been developed and tested within the past couple of years that can cure FIP. The drug is an anti-viral called GS-441524 (GS) that is administered by injection. The medication must be given every day for a period of at least 12 weeks. The younger the cat, the more effective the treatment and dosage depends on the weight of the cat. The cost of a 5 mL bottle of GS varies greatly between manufacturers, but it is within the range of $80 - $358. Learn more about GS and how to use it at www.fipwarriors.com and https://sockfip.org/.
Supportive care and high quality nutrition can help alleviate some of the body’s inflammatory response to the disease. Corticosteroids, cytotoxic drugs, and antibiotics are often used to treat FIP, and fluid therapy and blood transfusions may also help as supportive care (Cornell, “Feline Infectious Peritonitis,” 2014).
Vaccine
A vaccine to prevent FIP is available but its use is controversial. The vaccine is not 100% effective and must be given before the cat is exposed to coronavirus. Since FIP is not a common ailment, the vaccine is not always recommended. Cat owners should speak with their vets to see if the vaccine is the right option for their cat.
Disinfection
Foster parents and cat guardians with a cat with FIP and other cats living in the household should efficiently clean their homes to reduce the chance of infection to others. Litter boxes, bowls, and scratching posts should be cleaned with hot soap and water and then rinsed with a 1:32 dilution of bleach with water. The house should be thoroughly vacuumed as well. Objects such as blankets and cat beds should be thrown away.
ACR recommends https://sockfip.org/about-fip/ for more information.