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!
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.
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!
