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