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What is feline
infectious peritonitis (FIP)? |
Feline infectious peritonitis
(FIP) is a disease caused by a coronavirus infection. Many
different strains of coronavirus are capable of infecting
cats, but most do not produce serious disease. FIP-producing
strains are distinguished by their ability to invade and grow
in certain white blood cells. The infected cells transport
the virus throughout the cat's body. An intense inflammatory
reaction occurs in the tissues where these virus-infected
cells locate. It is this interaction between the body's own
immune system and the virus that is responsible for the
disease. Infected cats shed
coronavirus in their saliva and feces. 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.
Although the virus can survive for a number
of weeks in the environment, it is rapidly inactivated by
most household detergents and disinfectants. An inexpensive
and effective disinfectant is one part of household bleach in
thirty-two parts of water (4 ounces of bleach per gallon of
water). |
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Is FIP related
to feline leukemia? |
FIP and feline leukemia are caused by
different viruses. Some cats that have FIP may also be
infected by the feline leukemia virus, but the diseases are
two separate entities. |
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What are the
signs of FIP? |
Initial exposure to the FIP virus usually
results in no obvious clinical disease, although some cats
may experience a mild upper respiratory disease that is
characterized by sneezing, watery eyes, and watery nasal
discharge. Some cats may experience a mild intestinal
disease. Most cats that undergo the primary infection
completely recover, although some of them may become virus
carriers. Only a small percentage of exposed cats develop the
lethal disease: weeks, months, or perhaps years after primary
infection. The onset of clinical
signs of lethal FIP may be sudden (especially in kittens), or
the signs may gradually increase in severity over a period of
weeks. Many cats have nonspecific signs such as intermittent
inappetence, depression, rough hair coat, weight loss, and
fever.
The major forms of lethal FIP are effusive
(wet) FIP, noneffusive (dry) FIP, and combinations of both.
The most characteristic sign of effusive FIP is the
accumulation of fluid within the abdomen and/or chest. When
fluid accumulation becomes excessive, it may become difficult
for the cat to breathe normally.
The onset of noneffusive FIP is usually
slower. Fluid accumulation is minimal, although weight loss,
depression, anemia, and fever are almost always present.
Signs of kidney failure (increased water consumption and
urination), liver failure (jaundice), pancreatic disease
(vomiting, diarrhea, diabetes), neurologic disease (loss of
balance, behavioral changes, paralysis, seizures), enteritis
(vomiting, diarrhea), or eye disease (inflammation,
blindness) may be seen in various combinations. FIP is often
a difficult disease to diagnose because each cat can display
different signs that are similar to those of many other
diseases. |
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What are the
chances my cat will get FIP in its lifetime? |
Young cats (less than two years of age),
older cats (over ten years old), cats in poor physical
condition, and cats undergoing concurrent infections or
stress are more susceptible to FIP. It is a relatively
uncommon disease in the general cat population, probably
affecting fewer than one percent of the cats brought to a
veterinarian's office for treatment. In multiple-cat
populations such as some shelters and catteries the disease
rate can be much higher, affecting up to 10 to 20 percent of
the susceptible population over a period of several months. |
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Are there any
laboratory tests that can detect the FIP virus? |
The KELA, ELISA, IFA, and
virus-neutralization tests detect the presence of coronavirus
antibodies in a cat. A positive test result only means the
cat has had a prior exposure to a coronavirus -- not
necessarily one that causes FIP -- and has developed
antibodies against that virus. If the test is negative, it
means the cat has not been exposed to a coronavirus.
The number, or titer, that is reported is the
highest serum dilution that still produced a positive
reaction. Low titers indicate a small amount of coronavirus
antibodies in the serum, while high titers indicate greater
amounts of antibodies. A healthy cat with a high titer is not
necessarily more likely to develop FIP or be a carrier of an
FIP-causing coronavirus than a cat with a low titer. It also
is not necessarily protected against future FIP virus
infection.
Recently, two new tests have been developed
that can detect parts of the virus itself. The
immunoperoxidase test can diagnose FIP more accurately than
traditional histopathologic examination because it detects
virus-infected cells in the tissue. A biopsy of affected
tissue is necessary for evaluation. Another antigen test
utilizes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect viral
genetic material in tissue or body fluid. Although this test
shows promise, PCR is presently only capable of detecting
coronaviruses in general, not necessarily those that cause
FIP. |
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Should I have an
FIP test done on my cat? |
There are two primary situations where the
determination of coronavirus-antibody titers can be useful to
the cat owner or breeder and the veterinarian:
- As a screening test, to determine the
presence or absence of antibodies in a previously untested
household and to detect potential virus carriers or
shedders when introducing new cats into households or
catteries that are negative for coronavirus antibodies
- As an aid (and nothing more than an aid)
in the clinical diagnosis of a diseased cat that has signs
suggestive of FIP.
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Why did I get
two different test results from two different laboratories? |
Unfortunately, many laboratories use
different antigens prepared in different ways, and their
interpretation of the assay can differ. False results can
occur from nonspecific reactions unless the tests are
meticulously controlled. The test can be difficult to
interpret, since it usually depends on a subjective decision
made by the person reading the test. |
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How is a
positive diagnosis made? |
A presumptive diagnosis of FIP can usually
be made on the basis of clinical signs, routine laboratory
tests, and evaluation of abdominal or chest fluid. Some
cases, however, present a diagnostic challenge, since the
signs of illness are not distinct for FIP. In all cases, a
tissue biopsy is the only way to absolutely confirm a
diagnosis of FIP. |
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Is there a cure
for FIP? |
Currently, FIP is considered to be a
routinely fatal disease once a positive diagnosis has been
made. Unfortunately, no cure yet exists. The basic aim of
therapy is to provide supportive care and to alleviate the
self- destroying inflammatory response of the disease. Some
treatments may induce short-term remissions in a small
percentage of patients. A combination of corticosteroids,
cytotoxic drugs, and antibiotics with maintenance of nutrient
and fluid intake may be helpful in some cases. In the future,
combining immune-modulating drugs with effective antiviral
medications may prove to be beneficial for treatment of FIP. |
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Can I protect my
cat from getting FIP? |
In multiple cat environments, keeping cats
as healthy as possible and minimizing exposure to infectious
agents lessens the likelihood of cats' developing FIP.
Preventing overcrowding, keeping cats current on
vaccinations, providing proper nutrition and adequate
sanitation, and eliminating feline leukemia virus infections
can be helpful in reducing the incidence of FIP groups of
cats. The first FIP vaccine (Primucell
FIP by Pfizer Animal Health) was introduced in 1991. It is a
temperature- sensitive, modified-live vaccine. The vaccine is
licensed for intranasal vaccination of cats at 16 weeks of
age, with boosters in 3 to 4 weeks, and then yearly. Once a
cat is vaccinated, its serum may have a positive coronavirus
antibody titer. This could be a problem for cattery owners
who use serologic testing to maintain a coronavirus-free
population.
The vaccine appears to be safe, but various
studies have yielded different estimates of vaccine efficacy.
The role that Primucell FIP will ultimately play in
protecting cats from FIP is not yet known; for the time
being, discussions with your veterinarian should help you
decide if your cat should be vaccinated. |
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My cat has FIP.
How long can it be expected to live? How can I make my cat
comfortable during its last days? |
Once clinical signs appear, cats with the
effusive (wet) form of FIP will live a few days to a few
weeks, although some adult cats may linger for six to eight
months. Cats with the dry form of FIP usually die within a
few weeks, but survival for up to a year or more is possible.
Providing good nursing care and feeding a
balanced, highly nutritious diet will make your cat more
comfortable in the terminal stages of the disease. Your
veterinarian may prescribe medications to reduce the
discomfort associated with the disease or provide
more-specific supportive therapy. |
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Can a person or
a dog become infected with FIP? |
FIP has not been documented in any species
other than those of the cat family. FIP is not known to
constitute any health risk for human beings. However, FIP
virus is similar to a common virus of dogs - canine
coronavirus, that produces enteritis in dogs. |
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What is the
Cornell Feline Health Center doing to fight FIP? |
We have worked diligently for over 20
years to develop an effective vaccine as well as diagnostic
tests that will be more useful in diagnosing FIP in sick cats
and in identifying the FIP-virus-carrier state in healthy
cats. We are also studying the disease process itself (i.e.,
how the virus replicates in the cat, and why the cells
normally responsible for protection against infection do not
destroy the virus). That work may lead to more-effective
treatments for FIP. Prepared by the Cornell Feline Health
Center, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine,
Ithaca, New York 14853-6401. The ultimate purpose of the Feline
Health Center is to improve the health of cats by developing
methods to prevent or cure feline diseases and by providing
continuing education to veterinarians and cat owners. Much of
that work is made possible by the financial support of friends.
©1997 by Cornell University. All rights reserved. Cornell
University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator
and employer. |
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