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What is
feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)? |
Feline infectious
peritonitis (FIP) is a disease caused by a coronavirus
infection. Many different strains of coronavirus are
capable of infecting cats, but most do not produce
serious disease. FIP-producing strains are distinguished
by their ability to invade and grow in certain white
blood cells. The infected cells transport the virus
throughout the cat's body. An intense inflammatory
reaction occurs in the tissues where these
virus-infected cells locate. It is this interaction
between the body's own immune system and the virus that
is responsible for the disease.
Infected cats shed
coronavirus in their saliva and feces. Most cats become
infected by inhaling or ingesting the virus, either by
direct contact with an infected cat, or by contact with
virus-contaminated surfaces like clothing, bedding,
feeding bowls, or toys.
Although the virus can survive for a number of weeks
in the environment, it is rapidly inactivated by most
household detergents and disinfectants. An inexpensive
and effective disinfectant is one part of household
bleach in thirty-two parts of water (4 ounces of bleach
per gallon of water). |
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Is FIP
related to feline leukemia? |
FIP and feline leukemia are caused by
different viruses. Some cats that have FIP may also be
infected by the feline leukemia virus, but the diseases
are two separate entities. |
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What are
the signs of FIP? |
Initial exposure to the FIP virus
usually results in no obvious clinical disease, although
some cats may experience a mild upper respiratory
disease that is characterized by sneezing, watery eyes,
and watery nasal discharge. Some cats may experience a
mild intestinal disease. Most cats that undergo the
primary infection completely recover, although some of
them may become virus carriers. Only a small percentage
of exposed cats develop the lethal disease: weeks,
months, or perhaps years after primary infection.
The
onset of clinical signs of lethal FIP may be sudden
(especially in kittens), or the signs may gradually
increase in severity over a period of weeks. Many cats
have nonspecific signs such as intermittent inappetence,
depression, rough hair coat, weight loss, and fever.
The major forms of lethal FIP are effusive (wet) FIP,
noneffusive (dry) FIP, and combinations of both. The
most characteristic sign of effusive FIP is the
accumulation of fluid within the abdomen and/or chest.
When fluid accumulation becomes excessive, it may become
difficult for the cat to breathe normally.
The onset of noneffusive FIP is usually slower. Fluid
accumulation is minimal, although weight loss,
depression, anemia, and fever are almost always present.
Signs of kidney failure (increased water consumption and
urination), liver failure (jaundice), pancreatic disease
(vomiting, diarrhea, diabetes), neurologic disease (loss
of balance, behavioral changes, paralysis, seizures),
enteritis (vomiting, diarrhea), or eye disease
(inflammation, blindness) may be seen in various
combinations. FIP is often a difficult disease to
diagnose because each cat can display different signs
that are similar to those of many other diseases. |
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What are
the chances my cat will get FIP in its lifetime? |
Young cats (less than two years of
age), older cats (over ten years old), cats in poor
physical condition, and cats undergoing concurrent
infections or stress are more susceptible to FIP. It is
a relatively uncommon disease in the general cat
population, probably affecting fewer than one percent of
the cats brought to a veterinarian's office for
treatment. In multiple-cat populations such as some
shelters and catteries the disease rate can be much
higher, affecting up to 10 to 20 percent of the
susceptible population over a period of several months. |
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Are there
any laboratory tests that can detect the FIP virus? |
The KELA, ELISA, IFA, and
virus-neutralization tests detect the presence of
coronavirus antibodies in a cat. A positive test result
only means the cat has had a prior exposure to a
coronavirus -- not necessarily one that causes FIP --
and has developed antibodies against that virus. If the
test is negative, it means the cat has not been exposed
to a coronavirus. The number, or titer, that is
reported is the highest serum dilution that still
produced a positive reaction. Low titers indicate a
small amount of coronavirus antibodies in the serum,
while high titers indicate greater amounts of
antibodies. A healthy cat with a high titer is not
necessarily more likely to develop FIP or be a carrier
of an FIP-causing coronavirus than a cat with a low
titer. It also is not necessarily protected against
future FIP virus infection.
Recently, two new tests have been developed that can
detect parts of the virus itself. The immunoperoxidase
test can diagnose FIP more accurately than traditional
histopathologic examination because it detects
virus-infected cells in the tissue. A biopsy of affected
tissue is necessary for evaluation. Another antigen test
utilizes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect viral
genetic material in tissue or body fluid. Although this
test shows promise, PCR is presently only capable of
detecting coronaviruses in general, not necessarily
those that cause FIP. |
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Should I
have an FIP test done on my cat? |
There are two primary situations where
the determination of coronavirus-antibody titers can be
useful to the cat owner or breeder and the veterinarian:
- As a screening test, to determine the presence or
absence of antibodies in a previously untested
household and to detect potential virus carriers or
shedders when introducing new cats into households or
catteries that are negative for coronavirus antibodies
- As an aid (and nothing more than an aid) in the
clinical diagnosis of a diseased cat that has signs
suggestive of FIP.
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Why did I
get two different test results from two different
laboratories? |
Unfortunately, many laboratories use
different antigens prepared in different ways, and their
interpretation of the assay can differ. False results
can occur from nonspecific reactions unless the tests
are meticulously controlled. The test can be difficult
to interpret, since it usually depends on a subjective
decision made by the person reading the test. |
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How is a
positive diagnosis made? |
A presumptive diagnosis of FIP can
usually be made on the basis of clinical signs, routine
laboratory tests, and evaluation of abdominal or chest
fluid. Some cases, however, present a diagnostic
challenge, since the signs of illness are not distinct
for FIP. In all cases, a tissue biopsy is the only way
to absolutely confirm a diagnosis of FIP. |
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Is there a
cure for FIP? |
Currently, FIP is considered to be a
routinely fatal disease once a positive diagnosis has
been made. Unfortunately, no cure yet exists. The basic
aim of therapy is to provide supportive care and to
alleviate the self- destroying inflammatory response of
the disease. Some treatments may induce short-term
remissions in a small percentage of patients. A
combination of corticosteroids, cytotoxic drugs, and
antibiotics with maintenance of nutrient and fluid
intake may be helpful in some cases. In the future,
combining immune-modulating drugs with effective
antiviral medications may prove to be beneficial for
treatment of FIP. |
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Can I
protect my cat from getting FIP? |
In multiple cat environments, keeping
cats as healthy as possible and minimizing exposure to
infectious agents lessens the likelihood of cats'
developing FIP. Preventing overcrowding, keeping cats
current on vaccinations, providing proper nutrition and
adequate sanitation, and eliminating feline leukemia
virus infections can be helpful in reducing the
incidence of FIP groups of cats.
The first FIP vaccine
(Primucell FIP by Pfizer Animal Health) was introduced
in 1991. It is a temperature- sensitive, modified-live
vaccine. The vaccine is licensed for intranasal
vaccination of cats at 16 weeks of age, with boosters in
3 to 4 weeks, and then yearly. Once a cat is vaccinated,
its serum may have a positive coronavirus antibody
titer. This could be a problem for cattery owners who
use serologic testing to maintain a coronavirus-free
population.
The vaccine appears to be safe, but various studies
have yielded different estimates of vaccine efficacy.
The role that Primucell FIP will ultimately play in
protecting cats from FIP is not yet known; for the time
being, discussions with your veterinarian should help
you decide if your cat should be vaccinated. |
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My cat has
FIP. How long can it be expected to live? How can I make
my cat comfortable during its last days? |
Once clinical signs appear, cats with
the effusive (wet) form of FIP will live a few days to a
few weeks, although some adult cats may linger for six
to eight months. Cats with the dry form of FIP usually
die within a few weeks, but survival for up to a year or
more is possible. Providing good nursing care and
feeding a balanced, highly nutritious diet will make
your cat more comfortable in the terminal stages of the
disease. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to
reduce the discomfort associated with the disease or
provide more-specific supportive therapy. |
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Can a
person or a dog become infected with FIP? |
FIP has not been documented in any
species other than those of the cat family. FIP is not
known to constitute any health risk for human beings.
However, FIP virus is similar to a common virus of dogs
- canine coronavirus, that produces enteritis in dogs. |
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What is the
Cornell Feline Health Center doing to fight FIP? |
We have worked diligently for over 20
years to develop an effective vaccine as well as
diagnostic tests that will be more useful in diagnosing
FIP in sick cats and in identifying the FIP-virus-carrier
state in healthy cats. We are also studying the disease
process itself (i.e., how the virus replicates in the
cat, and why the cells normally responsible for
protection against infection do not destroy the virus).
That work may lead to more-effective treatments for FIP. |
Prepared by the Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell
University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York
14853-6401. The ultimate purpose of the Feline Health Center
is to improve the health of cats by developing methods to
prevent or cure feline diseases and by providing continuing
education to veterinarians and cat owners. Much of that work
is made possible by the financial support of friends. ©1997
by Cornell University. All rights reserved. Cornell
University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action
educator and employer.
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