Is it common for cats to get FIP?
Infection in this way is really common, with about 40% of household cats becoming infected at some point in their lives. For cats living in the same home as other cats, infection is even more common with about 60% being infected. In cat colonies, infection rates are pretty much 100%.
What does FIP stand for in medical category?
FIP stands for Feline Infectious Peritonitis and is caused by a cat-specific coronavirus that poses no risk to humans. In most cats, the coronavirus normally stays in the intestines and either causes no problems or just mild diarrhea.
Can you run a titer test on FIP?
A titer test can be run, but this can only check for coronavirus exposure. This is not helpful if positive, as most cases of coronavirus infection are “normal” intestinal infections, and there is no way to differentiate this from FIP infection. A negative result, however, is likely to mean that FIP can be ruled out.
What is the difference between wet FIP and dry FIP?
Once the disease progresses, there are 2 forms, wet FIP and dry FIP, which have different symptoms and different diagnostic challenges. In wet FIP, the blood vessels become leaky which results in fluid building up somewhere in the body. This is most often in the abdomen followed by the chest.
Why are some cats better than others with FIP?
Most experts believe that FIP occurs when enteric coronavirus already infecting a cat undergoes a mutation. Some cats appear to be able to suppress FIP if they mount a rapid immune response; others are not able to suppress the virus. It is not known why some cats are able to clear the virus while others are not.
What are the symptoms of feline FIP virus?
The two forms are a wet (effusive) and a dry (noneffusive) type. Furthermore, unfortunately, the symptoms can be quite vague and canindicate a number of other cat health problems as well. Cats with the noneffusive type of FIP may have weight loss,lethargy, fever, a poor hair coat,and anemia, but will not accumulate fluid in the abdomen or chest.
Can a feline with FIP be contagious?
Feline infectious peritonitis is infectious, caused by a coronavirus, but the FIP-causing form of the virus appears not be too highly contagious. Peritonitis, or inflammation of the abdominal cavity, is only one feature of this systemic disease, which can cause ocular inflammation, neurological signs, liver problems, and fluid around the lungs.
Can a cat with feline leukemia get FIP?
Not necessarily associated, however, cats who have lower tolerances or a weakened immune system tend to be at a higher risk. This is why cats who are diagnosed with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia (FeLV) are usually watched more closely. ONE OF MY CATS HAS FIP, WILL MY OTHER CATS GET IT?
