Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is caused by a feline coronavirus. Coronavirus in cats is common; it is thought that up to 40% of household cats actually carry the virus, However, most of the time it doesn’t cause any problems. This infection rate increases to 80-100% of cats kept in multi-cat households. Most cats infected with the virus will fight it off and never develop FIP but in a very small percentage of these cats the coronavirus changes within the cat, and it is this change that may cause the disease.
Unfortunately, the reason for the change is currently not known, although it is thought many factors may play a role. The majority of cases of FIP develop in cats under the age of 2 years. A poorer immune response together with other stress factors such as neutering, vaccination or other concurrent disease may make younger cats more vulnerable to FIP. However, FIP can develop in any age of cat and predisposing risk factors are not always evident.
FIP shows itself in both “wet” form and a “dry” form. Symptoms include fever, anorexia, weight loss and lethargy. In addition, the wet form of FIP is shown by accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, or both. Cats with fluid in the chest have labored breathing. Cats with fluid in the abdomen show progressive, nonpainful abdominal distension. In the dry form of FIP, small accumulations of inflammatory cells, or granulomas form in various organs. Clinical signs depend on which organ is affected. If the kidneys are affected, excessive thirst and urination, vomiting and weight loss are seen. However, if it is the liver that is affected, you will notice jaundice. The eyes and theneurologic system can be afected as well.
A blood test can show whether cats have antibodies to coronavirus but there is no convincing evidence to show that a high level of antibodies predicts the development of FIP or whether they will be a source of coronavirus infection to another cat.
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