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Category: Feline
Feline Infectious Peritonitis, FIP
FIP
AffectedAnimals:
Both domestic and exotic cats are susceptible. Purebred kittens are suspected to be genetically less resistant to FIP infection.
Overview:
Cats that are infected with feline coronavirus, a contagious virus transmitted through feces and saliva, run the risk of developing feline infectious peritonitis, a rare and deadly form of this disease. In most cases, the coronavirus itself is not serious, but FIP is usually fatal. FIP causes the cat's immune system to attack its own cells, damaging blood vessels throughout the body. Without adequate blood flow, many of the body's organs are severely damaged and fail. Cats that show signs of FIP generally die from it quickly.
There are two forms of FIP, both of them equally life threatening. The effusive, or "wet," form occurs when fluid is produced in the body's cavities, often resulting in a swollen abdomen, fever, weight loss, and breathing difficulties. The second form, which is non-effusive, or "dry," can lead to neurological disorders such as seizures and brain damage.
FIP is a frustrating disease to veterinarians. It is not yet understood why certain cats with the coronavirus develop FIP while others do not. There is no cure or completely effective vaccine for this fatal illness, nor is there a diagnostic procedure, short of an autopsy, that will conclusively determine the presence of FIP; thus, diagnosis is based on suspicion and clinical signs. The preventive measures available, however, are fairly effective in deterring the spread of FIP.
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