FIP, Feline Infectious Peritonitis

A mysterious and deadly feline disease

© Darlene Cheek

Jun 8, 2007
Lily, Tortoiseshell Persian Kitten, D Cheek, TN Persians
Learn more about the causes, signs, symptoms, treatments and vaccinations against FIP, a viral disease that affects both domestic and wild cats.

What is FIP?

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal viral disease that begins as a coronavirus (FCoV) that somehow mutates into a different type of coronavirus (FECV) that then causes FIP. Pet Education.com states that, “Studies have shown that approximately 25-40% of household cats, and up to 95% of cats in multi-cat households and catteries are or have been infected with FCoV. The development of fatal FIP occurs in 1 in 5000 cats in households with one or two cats. In multi-cat households and catteries 5% of cats die from FIP.” Thankfully, not all cats that have been exposed to FCoV get FIP because FIP is a mutation of the virus. No one really knows what causes the mutation.

There are two types of FIP, dry and wet, or noneffusive and effusive. The dry form of FIP progresses slowly, and the cat may live up to a year after diagnosis, while the wet form progresses rapidly and make take the cat within 2 months or less.

Symptoms of Noneffusive (dry) FIP

  • weight loss
  • fever
  • loss of appetite
  • lethargy
  • paralysis
  • disorientation
  • loss of balance
  • tremors
  • convulsions
  • behavior changes
  • urinary incontinence

Symptoms of Effusive (wet) FIP

  • weight loss
  • fever
  • loss of appetite
  • lethargy or depression
  • anemia
  • constipation and/or diarrhea
  • pot-bellied appearance due to fluid in the abdomen
  • fluid in the chest, which causes wheezing and difficulty breathing

Diagnosing FIP isn’t an easy task. The only sure way to diagnose FIP is by doing an autopsy after the cat has died. If your vet believes your cat might have FIP, there is a long series of tests that will help determine whether FIP is a possibility. Typically, treatment involves keeping the cat comfortable, as there is no cure for FIP, and it is extremely rare for a cat to survive this disease.

There is an FIP intranasal vaccine. However, it is only estimated 50-75% effective. Studies on the vaccine that were done outside the manufacturer’s facilities are inconclusive, and many don’t believe the vaccine to be a beneficial option. A study by Cornell University showed that the vaccine might actually enhance the disease! There have also been reports of cats developing the disease and dieing shortly after receiving the vaccination. Many breeders will now void your health guarantee if you give your new kitten this vaccination. It is also important to know that the vaccine is completely useless if your cat has already been exposed to FCoV.

On a more positive note, common, every day household disinfectants effectively kill the virus. To reduce the possibilities that your cat can develop FIP, cleanliness is imperative (especially with litter boxes), as is keeping your cat’s immune system healthy and maintaining a stress free environment for your cats. If you have multiple cats or are in a breeding or rescue situation, have a litter box for every cat in the house plus an extra one. Make sure your litter scoops are cleaned and sanitized regularly, and don't interchange scoops between boxes.

There is no definitive proof that any of these things cause or prevent FIP, because again, it is a random mutation of a virus. Even with all the precautions in the world, sometimes a cat simply develops FIP. Hopefully research by dedicated researchers, rescue organizations, breeders, and their veterinarians will be able to give us some answers in the future.

If you have any questions, please feel free to drop by our discussion area!

Articles you might also find interesting: “Feline PKD,” and “Feline AIDS.”

Resources:

PetEducation.com

Dr. Addie.com – This website has great information on prevention and spread of FCoV in kittens for catteries and rescue organizations


The copyright of the article FIP, Feline Infectious Peritonitis in Cats is owned by Darlene Cheek. Permission to republish FIP, Feline Infectious Peritonitis in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Lily, Tortoiseshell Persian Kitten, D Cheek, TN Persians
       


Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo

Comments
Jun 11, 2007 8:25 AM
Darlene Cheek :
Those of you who read this article the first couple of days it was written will now see a few edits and updates in it. I received an email from Dr. Raymond Wigley, who has done research on FIP, and he was able to give me answers to some questions that weren't clear when I was doing research for the article, so I wanted to post a follow up here.

When you research FIP, a lot of the information is simply incomplete, which leads us to conclusions which aren't totally accurate. My understanding was that FIP was being spread because of unsanitary living conditions, overcrowding and stress, and a compromised immune system.

While some of that is partly true, it isn't nearly the whole picture. Dr. Wigley says, "Much of the coronavirus is actually spread by the cat accidentally in flatulence, shedding as a result of tracking of litter, multiple use of blankets, scratching posts or poop scoops." and...

"Also over crowding again has not been proven to be a trigger for FIP, stress caused by conflict or rehoming or as a bye product of injections at 13 weeks of age are more to blame as a trigger. I would agree that a compromised immune system may be a cause but again there is no definite proof."

So I updated the article to reflect this information. I also emailed back to ask some questions that were unclear to me...

Q - If everyone is saying to keep litter boxes changed out and clean, does that not mean that a dirty litter box can cause this to spread?

A - Litter boxes are not the only means of transmission. poop scoops, scratching posts, bedding also contain the spores, as does your own clothing, so unless you practice barrier nursing when moving from cat to cat you are just as easy to spread the disease.

Q - If over crowding causes stress on the cat that lowers their immune system, does that not mean that overcrowding can be a culprit?

A - Overcrowding could be a culprit but again unless you clean every item and practice barrier nursing you could be the carrier. Also your own demeanor when you approach the cat could have a direct influence on their stress levels, animals are very susceptible to vibrations from humans.

Q - Where does the coronavirus come from in the first place? If your every day disinfectants can kill it, but it can hang around for 7 days, if you cleaned on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7... wouldn't the virus be dead???

A - Some animals are persistant carriers, they never get the disease but spread the virus, just like the comm
Jul 11, 2007 3:09 PM
heidi jo kroeck :
My nearly 2 year old cat Ashley died of FIP yesterday and it was devastating having tried so many things to save her and working with many experts (i.e. vets, holistic vets, homeopaths). It seemed like all the trouble began in early spring when we brought in 5 new strays to our two cat and 4 dog household. The strays upset Ashley and the most recent one in April had a weeping eye and Ashley and the others all developed an eye problem too. They are all better but she started getting fluid accumualtion and all the other problems associated with wet FIP. We tried steroids, human interferon, antibiotics, homeopathics, vitamnins, accupuncture, eventually a feeding tube had to be used which she hated and a shot of dexamethasone peritoneally. I ordered feline interferon but it was too late. She went downhill very fast after the feeding tube and dexamethasone. A homeopath warned me all along that steroids were the absolute worst thing to give her yet my other doctors told me she needed that. The homeopath also told me interleukin II would be her only hope but it was not available in the U.S. yet I did find it but not in time. She was always a very, very healthy cat and so is her brother both I found in the park or should I say found me. She got so upset at these other cats being brought into our small home as several of them bullied her plus our new puppy bothered her too. I feel so guilty for letting this happen because if you ask me stress is the number one factor for predisposing a cat to FIP. I doubt if FIP is that prevalent in feral cats as they are not overcrowded being outdoors all the time. I really think it is the threat perceived by the cat in its own territory that makes him susceptible to FIP. Any thoughts on my experience are greatly appreciated.
Jul 11, 2007 5:53 PM
Darlene Cheek :
Oh dear! I'm SO sorry you lost a baby to this terrible disease! I know you're heart broken, but you definitely did everything you could! The thing with FIP is that you never know when it is going to mutate. Your rescued kitties were probably introduced to the coronavirus, and poor Ashley had it mutate. You can't control something like that.

Stress does lower a cat's immune system, but there is no definite proof that stress predisposes a cat to FIP - that's one thing the doctor who emailed me wanted to make clear to me. And you had no way to know ahead of time that Ashley would get so stressed.

You can't let yourself feel guilty - you were just trying to do a kind thing and help the other kitties out. It is always a risk with rescue, but we can't stop trying to help.

I don't even think you CAN say something in particular predisposes or even contributed to it, because it is a mutation. Who knows what causes mutations?

I'm sure your Ashley knew you did everything within your power!
Jul 21, 2007 10:14 AM
Christopher L. Schaefer :
To all concerned,

My wife and I just lost a wonderful 'teenage' cat, named Pinky. Pinky was, perhaps, in my, of course, biased opinion, the most innocent, kindest of all creatures on earth, to FIP. We suspect we will lose hour other 5 'kids' to this insidious disease. With that, allow me to preface what I'm about to say by stating I am not a veterinarian, nor do I claim to be knowledgeable in the area of biology or chemistry.

We knew nothing about this disease before Pinky was in its clutches. I noticed a weight loss and figured, Pinky was simply maturing and slimming down a bit. We noticed no worms in her stools. Then we noticed her weight was dropping below the norm (yet in still, Pinky had an appetite), and she was slowing down. We decided in case we're missing something, insofar as Pinky's go and decided to do a round of Praziquantel, better known as Droncit (about $7.00 per pill, dose is according to weight, can be secured at any vets), the worming pill. Now understand what I'm about to say was before we even knew FIP existed. Pinky rallied. She soon began to play again and she put on some weight. We figured we had missed the worms and this was her cure. In a few months though, her condition of weight loss and weakness returned. Her belly bloated, we took her to the vets, she was tested (and the testing process, alone, for wet FIP is so traumatizing, it causes FIP to take over very quickly) and before the test results came back, Pinky died.

This is my belief. The chemical qualities of Praziquantel (Droncit) versus Feline Infectious Peridonitis should be studied at a laboratory level, and if it shows merit, on a feline trials level. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt for the 'Parents' of these wonderful little creatures, to do their own test and report the out come.

Hine sight being 20/20, I wished, number one, I knew Pinky had this disease, because I would have performed an on going treatment of Droncit (at the safe /interval established by its manufacturer). Since I now know the symptoms and the likelyhood of the others coming down with Pip, I will not put them through the testing Pinkin had to endure. I will test Droncit, and there is no hesitation on my part because the disease, alone is, of course, fatal.

Just putting it out there. I will try to spread this information around as much as possible. I suggest all who read this do the same. I'm calling it the "Pinky Treatment".

Regards,
Christopher L. Schaefer
Jul 21, 2007 10:29 AM
Darlene Cheek :
Dear Christopher, thank you so much for sharing your story! And God bless dear Pinky! If your theories turn out to be correct or help in any way at all, then Pinky might have very well given her life to help save other cats.

Please do feel free to keep us posted of your research, and I will pass this along to the vet and researcher who contacted me above. It does happen in the human world that one medicine works for two completely different things, and as studies are done, new information is released all the time. This is definitely a theory worth investigating!

Take care and best wishes on your mission!
Aug 7, 2007 5:32 AM
Debbie Mackenzie :
Help! My little 6 mo old boy has a low grade fever, third eyelids showing and somewhat lethargic. They are testing him for FIP. He was given Clindamycin and prednisone eyedrops. I am so scared for him and my other girls who are under 3 yrs old. What can I expect this week before the diagnosis. And then what? I know the disease is fatal. Can it be anything else?
Aug 7, 2007 6:13 AM
Darlene Cheek :
Oh dear, I certainly hope it isn't fip. What were your baby's symptoms? Did his stomach have fluid?

I'm sure the vet told you to separate your little boy from your girls until you know what the diagnosis is. It could be a lot of other things, though - we'll keep him in our prayers and wish for the best.

I can't even tell you what to expect this week. I can only imagine your worry. (((HUGS)))

I will do some extra research today and let you know if I find anything helpful at all! Unfortunately, most everything I've read to date says that if he is diagnosed with fip, the best you'll be able to do is keep him comfortable.

But again, you don't know that he definitely has fip, so try to keep positive and don't worry yourself to death! If I can find any good news at all, I'll let you know.
Aug 7, 2007 10:24 AM
Debbie Mackenzie :
I'm actually very upset with the vet who saw him. She never listened to his heart or lungs, never checked his tummy or looked in his mouth. She went right for his eyes and did a dye test on them. He has a low fever and cloudy eyes. He looks great right this second, not 100% but better. But he did that last night too and then went downhill. I got him to eat a bit just now and he's running around with one of the girls. Another vet at the same location said not to worry about seperating them as most cats are exposed to the virus and only some will mutate it. He has no other symptoms. My older girl, 3 yrs old, has unexplained fevers at 10 mo old until she was almost 1.5 yrs old. She had exploratory surgery and all sorts of tests and meds, they never found the cause. I'm hoping maybe he has some weird infection that will go away with meds like she had. Thanks for your prayers, that's all we can do right now.
Aug 7, 2007 3:33 PM
Debbie Mackenzie :
yea!! It's not FIP!!! He wasn't even exposed to the virus at all they said today. No titers! I'm so relieved! He's looking a bit better today. He ate a little and is playing more. But he still has a fever and cloudy eyes. It's only been 24 hrs on the antibiotic, so time will tell. Thanks for your prayers and concern. I'll keep you "posted"!
Aug 7, 2007 6:21 PM
Darlene Cheek :
Oh!!! How wonderful!!! ((((HUGS)))) Absolutely wonderful! Thank you SO very much for letting us know, and I hope your little guy is back to himself real soon!
Dec 3, 2007 12:02 PM
Lisa Yonno :
I'm so sorry to hear about your dear Ashley. My 5 yr old Snowball was diagnosed last week w/ FIp and like you I'm trying everything. My vet 'forgot' to place the order for interferon and when she did order it she went w/ a very high dose. The order hasn't been finalized yet b/c they tell me it's $250 for a 30 day supply. If you don't mind my asking, what info were you able to find out about interferon therapy? what dose was your vet using and do you know who the pharmacy was that supplied it? I have a feeling that what this vet is ordering is too high and may do more damage than anything else- any info is greatly appreciated. I hope you and your animal family are doing well in spite of your loss. thanks!
Dec 3, 2007 12:19 PM
Darlene Cheek :
Hello! I'm not always sure member posts will be answered, so I wanted to help you find some treatment information. This website has very specific treatment protocol using Interferon...

http://www.dr-addie.com/treatment.htm#Interferon

If you feel that your doctor isn't treating correctly, please do get a second opinion from another vet. I wouldn't advise changing the treatment plan yourself without speaking to another vet. But it is also important to not just take the advise of any and every vet, just like we don't with our own medical treatment, if you feel that the incorrect treatment is being given. Especially in the case of something so serious.

We will keep your Snowball in our hearts and prayers, and I wish the very best for y'all! If you have time later on, I'd like to hear how Snowball does and if the treatment plan was altered and/or effective.

Take care! And please feel free to drop in with any questions! If I do not know the answer, I will help you find it!
12 Comments