FIP in Cats: What Every Owner Must Know Before It's Too Late

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Introduction

​Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is one of the most dreaded diseases in feline medicine. It is a mutation of the Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FeCV) affecting cats of all ages, with the highest prevalence in young kittens in multi-cat households. The transition from an ordinary intestinal virus to a lethal systemic disease is of utmost importance to all veterinarians.


​The Two Faces of FIP

​The clinical presentation of FIP can be divided into two main types, though there is some overlapping between them:

​Effusive (Wet) FIP:

 It is associated with the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) or in the chest (pleural effusion). It is due to extensive vasculitis.

​Non-Effusive (Dry) FIP: 

It is harder to diagnose, with granulomatous lesions in organs such as the kidneys, liver, eyes (uveitis), and the central nervous system (neurological signs).

​Diagnostic Challenges

​The diagnosis of FIP is a challenge because there is no such test as the "FIP test." It can only be diagnosed with a combination of:

​Albumin-to-Globulin (A:G) Ratio: 

If the ratio is low (less than 0.6), it is highly suggestive of FIP.

​Rivalta Test:

 A simple but effective method for checking for effusive fluid.

​PCR & Immunohistochemistry: 

The presence of viral antigens in macrophages in affected tissues/fluids.

​The Revolution in Treatment: GS-441524

​For decades, FIP had been 100% fatal. However, with recent discoveries in antiviral treatments with GS-441524, which is a nucleoside analogue, survival rates have been recorded at more than 80-90%.

​Protocol:

 A strict 84-day treatment regimen involving injections or tablets.

​Monitoring:

Blood work is essential in monitoring the A:G ratio during the observation period.

​Prevention and Management

​Because FIP is caused by a variant of a common coronavirus, complete eradication is not possible. However, there are ways to prevent or manage FIP:

​.Reduce stress levels in shelters.

​.Maintain high levels of hygiene in using the litter box, especially for the enteric coronavirus.

. Strengthen your cat’s immune system.




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