VetInsight Pakistan

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 t...

What is Feline Calicivirus? If you have a cat, you have probably heard of the " cat flu ." It is a mild respiratory infection with symptoms of sneezing, runny eyes, and possibly a few mouth ulcers. Cats usually get over it quickly with a little tender loving care. But there is a darker side to this common disease that every cat owner should be aware of: Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus . The Deadly Mutation: From Nuisance to Killer VS-FCV is not a new virus but rather a highly aggressive and mutated form of a common feline virus known as calicivirus . This virus is like the 'super-powered' flu virus because while the flu virus infects only the nose and throat areas, this mutated form infects the entire body. This includes the blood vessels and internal organs [1, 2].What is so scary about this virus? This virus is highly contagious and has a mortality rate up to 50% or more. This virus puts healthy, vaccinated adult cats at risk as well. Signs of the Systemic Form...