Feline infectious peritonitis is a disease that affects many cats in the world. There are many different symptoms to look for, as well as ways to treat it. You should know what to look for so you can determine if your cat is suffering from it.
Symptoms
Symptoms of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) vary depending on the organ affected. Feline infectious peritonitis is caused by a coronavirus. This virus is unique to cats, and cannot be infected by humans.
Feline infectious peritonitis can occur in young cats and older cats, and is most common in households with more than one cat. Cats are especially susceptible to the virus if they are stressed, have poor physical condition, or live in an environment that is prone to infection.
There are two forms of FIP, namely wet and dry. In wet FIP, fluid accumulates in the lungs or abdominal cavity. This is a serious and fatal disease. The symptoms are usually mild at first, butx they progress quickly. The build up of fluid in the thorax or abdominal cavity can cause difficulty breathing, dyspnea, and labored breathing. In addition, the fluid may be thick and tinged yellow.
There are no known treatments for wet FIP, but antiviral drugs are being studied. The coronavirus may also mutate while it is in the cat, causing it to evolve into a more severe form of FIP. In some cats, this abnormal immune response provokes a fatal immune deficiency, leading to death.
Diagnosis
Among the many viral diseases of cats, one of the most serious is feline infectious peritonitis. It is caused by the feline coronavirus, and is fatal when left untreated.
Its symptoms include fever, lymphadenopathy, and abdominal distention. Although it is most often diagnosed in young cats, it can also affect older cats, particularly those who live in shelters.
FIP is usually diagnosed with histopathological examination of the affected tissues. This usually reveals a cluster of macrophages and neutrophils, as well as a pyogranulomatous reaction.
An effusive form of FIP may present with abdominal distention, dyspnea, or respiratory failure. FIP can also affect systemic organs, causing perivascular inflammation with a predominance of macrophages.
Infectious peritonitis is caused by the feline coronavirus, which is transmitted through a cat’s digestive tract. This virus replicates in the macrophages in the affected tissues. Its presence is confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for the FCoV antigen. It is not known what other laboratory findings are required to make a definitive diagnosis of FIP.
Treatment
Among the most lethal diagnoses in the cat population, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is caused by the feline coronavirus (FCoV). If not treated, the cat is likely to die. Several studies have attempted to evaluate treatment of FIP, but the outcomes have been disappointing.
A prospective, controlled treatment trial was performed on 18 cats with FIP. Patients were treated with anti-viral drugs. The drugs used were meloxicam, Virbagen Omega, and Cobalaplex.
The most effective anti-viral treatment for FIP is meloxicam. Other compounds, such as ribavirin, have been used in previous studies, but are toxic to cats.
The treatment was administered orally. A double dose of pills was given for 10 to 14 days. In addition, food was given to slow the passage of the drugs through the gastrointestinal tract.
The treatment improved clinical parameters and all 18 cats recovered. The cats gained body weight quickly. The viral load in the effusions was reduced. A rapid decrease in the serum azotemia was observed. However, renal azotemia remained stable during the treatment period.
Prevention
Vaccines have been shown to be effective for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in many studies. But it is important to understand that FIP is a disease that can affect both cats and humans. This is one of the reasons that FIP vaccines are being debated.
Feline infectious peritonitis is a very serious disease. It is characterized by fever and weight loss, as well as neurological signs. The disease is very systemic, meaning that it affects all parts of the cat. The peritoneal wall swells, causing inflammation and leaked fluid. It is a very fatal disease, which is why it is so important to prevent it.
In order to diagnose FIP, veterinarians must test the cat for the virus. However, because of the nature of the virus, this can be very costly and time-consuming. A multimodal diagnostic approach is used, incorporating diagnostic imaging, direct virus detection, and basic clinicopathological data.
The first prospective controlled treatment trial used an oral antiviral compound. The treatment showed remarkable efficacy, with rapid improvement of clinical parameters. All 18 cats treated showed a complete recovery, without relapse.
