Table of Contents
FIP in cats or Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a viral disease that affects cats caused by a strain of the feline coronavirus. While most strains of feline coronavirus do not cause significant illness, in some cases, the virus mutates and spreads throughout the cat’s body, leading to the development of FIP. This disease is usually progressive and almost always fatal without treatment. This article will explore the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, testing and prevention of FIP.
Pathogenesis
A specific strain of the feline coronavirus causes FIP. While many strains of this virus are harmless and reside in the gastrointestinal tract, they can mutate and become deadly. This mutated virus, known as feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), arises from the typically harmless feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV). The development of FIP is due to a combination of these mutations and an inadequate immune response to the virus. The resulting inflammatory reaction to FIPV occurs in tissues such as the abdomen, kidney, or brain with infected cells. This interaction between the cat’s immune system and the virus leads to the development of FIP.
How Feline Inectious Peritonitis spreads
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is not a contagious disease that spreads from one cat to another. Instead, it mutates within individual cats’ feline coronavirus (FCoV). FCoV is a common virus found in cats and is part of the Coronaviridae family of viruses.
The feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV) is a contagious virus that spreads through the digestive tract when cats come into contact with infected cat feces or bodily fluids. While most cats infected with FeCV only experience temporary flu-like symptoms, the virus can sometimes mutate and become deadly. This mutated form of the virus, known as feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), can lead to the development of FIP.
Symptoms of FIP in cats
FIP can affect various cat organ systems and has two primary forms: wet and dry. The symptoms can be non-specific and include fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, and depression.
Cats may experience a fluctuating fever, decreased appetite, and reduced energy levels in the early stages. As the disease progresses, additional symptoms may develop depending on whether the cat has FIP’s wet or dry form.
The dry form is characterized by infection and inflammation around the blood vessels in the cat’s body. It affects various organs, including the brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, and skin. Cats with this form of FIP may experience seizures, abnormal movements, excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, weight loss, and jaundice.
The wet form is characterized by fluid accumulation in the abdomen and chest. It can cause a swollen belly and difficulty breathing. This form of FIP damages the blood vessels, leading to inflammation and fluid leakage into the chest and abdomen.
Diseases that mimic fip in cats
Several conditions can present symptoms similar to FIP in cats, making diagnosing it challenging. These conditions include neoplasia, systemic fungal infections, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, kidney disease, retroviral diseases, toxoplasmosis, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and other kidney diseases.
It’s essential to consult a veterinarian to accurately diagnose FIP and rule out other conditions that may present similar symptoms.
FIP test in cats
FIP is a complex disease to diagnose because many of its symptoms could also be symptoms of other issues, and no single blood test is available to confirm FIP. Although these tests can be helpful, they are only somewhat reliable, and each has drawbacks that may cause false negative or false positive results. Tests employed to test FIP in cats include:
Antibody testing
Measuring antibody levels or coronavirus titers can’t tell if the cat has FeCV or FIPV. A positive result only shows that the cat has encountered coronavirus before, but it doesn’t mean it was FIPV. Despite this drawback, young cats with high coronavirus titers and a fever that doesn’t respond to antibiotics are likely to have FIP. This diagnosis is especially accurate if fluid with a yellow color and high protein and white blood cell levels starts to build up in body cavities.
However, a healthy cat with a high coronavirus titer doesn’t necessarily have a higher chance of getting FIP or carrying FIPV than a cat with a low titer. In cats with weak immune systems, FIPV infections may not raise coronavirus titers because the immune system can’t make enough antibodies against the virus.
Immunoperoxidase test
The Immunoperoxidase Test (IPT) is a technique used in serology to identify the formation of antibodies and antigen complexes using a peroxidase enzyme. This test can detect the presence of Feline Coronavirus in tissue samples and is similar to other tests such as immunofluorescence and ELISA.
In IPT, an enzyme-labeled immunoglobulin is used with a chromogenic substrate called DAB. A positive result presents as an appearance of a brown deposit at the location of the antigen.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Polymerase chain reaction creates millions to billions of copies of a specific DNA sample, allowing scientists to amplify a tiny DNA sample to a size large enough for detailed study.
PCR detects FIP by amplifying cat samples’ FCoV messenger RNA (mRNA). EDTA-whole blood or feces are the most frequently used for FIP PCR testing. It’s noteworthy that PCR testing on abdominal fluid from a cat suspected of having FIP is more sensitive than PCR testing on its blood.
Rivalta test
The Rivalta test is a simple, low-cost test that can aid in diagnosing FIP in felines. The test involves adding a drop of fluid from the cat’s body cavity to a mixture of acetic acid and water. If the drop forms a “jellyfish” shape, it is a positive result, indicating that the cat is likely to have FIP. If the drop dissolves, it is a negative result, meaning that the cat will likely not have FIP.
It’s important to note that the Rivalta test does not detect the FIP virus but distinguishes between a transudate and an exudate. This test has an 86% positive predictive value and a 97% negative predictive value for FIP.
More on RIvalta test: Rivalta test procedure, principle and results.
Life expectancy
FIP is a lethal and untreatable illness that affects felines. There are two forms of the disease: the wet form and the dry form. Cats with the wet form of FIP produce a large amount of fluid in their bodies and typically pass away within days to weeks. Cats with the dry form of FIP may survive for several months or, in rare cases, several years.
Fip in cats treatment and prevention
FIP is a deadly viral infection in felines that causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the body. While there is no cure for FIP, newer antiviral drugs, such as GS-5734, GS-441524, and remdesivir, may effectively treat the disease. These drugs can be administered orally or through injection for 12 weeks and may improve or eliminate symptoms of FIP and even cure some cats. Additional medications like fluids, appetite stimulants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics may support and alleviate the cat’s condition.
The best way to prevent FIP in cats is to avoid initial infection with the coronavirus. One way to do this is by keeping cats indoors to prevent the spread of the feline coronavirus.
Fip in cats statistics
According to an article by International Cat Care, 25-40% of pet cats living in single-cat households have been infected with FCoV, while the infection rate rises to 80-100% for cats living in multi-cat households or colonies.
Another article, ‘Feline Infectious Peritonitis’ by Cornell Feline Health Center, states, ‘ Cats carrying FeCV are at risk of developing FIP, with younger cats being more susceptible. About 70% of FIP cases are diagnosed in cats under 1.5 years old and 50% under seven months old. The most common way FeCV is transmitted is from infected mother cats to their kittens, usually between 5-8 weeks old.
Cats living in high-density environments like shelters or catteries, as well as purebred cats, male cats, and elderly cats, are more likely to develop FIP.
Summary
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a severe and often fatal disease in cats caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus. FIP can affect cats of any age, but it is more common in young and old cats and those living in crowded or stressful conditions. FIP can cause various signs depending on the organs involved, such as fever, weight loss, fluid accumulation, neurological problems, and eye inflammation. FIP is difficult to diagnose and treat; no definitive test or cure exists. However, some new antiviral drugs have shown promising results in curing some cats with FIP. Prevention of FIP involves avoiding exposure to the feline coronavirus by keeping cats indoors, reducing stress, and maintaining good hygiene. FIP treatments are available in some countries, but their efficacy is limited. FIP is a complex and challenging disease requiring more research and awareness to improve this devastating condition’s diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
