Is there a blood test for FIP in cats?
A young cat of an at-risk breed, living in a multicat environment is much more likely to be suffering from FIP than an older cat who does not have contact with others. Blood testing is then likely to be carried out. Unfortunately, there is no specific FIP blood test. A titer test can be run, but this can only check for coronavirus exposure.
What causes feline infectious peritonitis ( FIP )?
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is an uncommon disease that mostly occurs in cats under the age of two who have been around other cats. FIP is caused by an inappropriate immune response to a common virus, which is called feline coronavirus.
How many cats die each year from FIP?
Overall, Feline Infectious Peritonitis is thought to kill about 1% of cats worldwide. Once the disease progresses, there are 2 forms, wet FIP and dry FIP, which have different symptoms and different diagnostic challenges.
What are the symptoms of wet feline FIP?
Signs of both forms include fever that doesn’t respond to antibiotics, anorexia, weight loss and lethargy. In addition, the wet form of FIP is characterized by accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, the chest cavity, or both.
How do cats catch FIP disease?
Unvaccinated cats catch feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) through close contact with other felines. One of the complicated aspects of FIP is that while Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) is very common, Feline Infectious Peritonitis is rare.
Which cats are susceptible to FIP?
Certain breeds of cats may be more likely to develop FIP. Those breeds include the Abyssinian, Bengal, Birman, Himalayan, Ragdoll, and Devon Rex . FIP may be more common in cats that live in multi-cat households, shelters, or catteries.
What are the symptoms of FIV and FIP in cats?
Primary FIP Infection. Others give the appearance of having intestinal problems: diarrhea, weight loss, and lethargy . Many cats have nonspecific symptoms: intermittent loss of appetite, depression, rough hair coat, weight loss, and fever . Most cats that undergo the primary infection recover fully, although some may become virus carriers.
Can a cat with FIP be cured?
Cats who undergo the full 12 weeks and remain symptom-free for 90 days following conclusion of treatment are officially cured of FIP . GS441 comes in both injectable form, and as of June 2019, a pill form. Both are administered daily and the dose is based on the weight of the cat.
