What's Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease that occurs worldwide in cats. It is caused by a type of virus called a coronavirus, which tends to attack the cells of the intestinal wall.

 

Wet FIP
Cats under 2 years old are highly suspected of having feline infectious peritonitis when ascites or pleural effusion was found in their body.

Dry FIP
Dry FIP usually has a long subclinical period and needs observed combining with its clinical signs. Symptoms include periodic fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and weight loss, growth retardation, dry hair and that were not responsive to antibiotic therapy. And blood biochemistry contributes to the diagnosis of FIP, FCoV titer≥1:3200 can be reasonably inferred to be FIP.

Dry to Wet
The two forms of FIP are somewhat interchangeable, when it has been observed in experimental infection, the dry form always follows a brief bout of effusive disease. In the terminal stages of naturally occurring dry FIP, immunity can completely collapse and the disease reverts to a more effusive form.

 

Clinical symptoms of Wet FIP

a) Growing abdomen, and ultrasound or X-rays indicate the presence of ascites.
b) Breathing is getting faster and faster, and ultrasound or X-rays indicate the presence of pleural effusion.
c) Ascites with pleural effusions.

The usual symptoms will be a), b), c) one of the three.

  • Anorexia, fatigue, sleepiness,
  • Weight loss,
  • Periodic fever, persists more than 4 days (＞102.5℉),
  • A high coronavirus titer,
  • Non-regenerative anemia,
  • Increased absolute neutrophils,
  • Decreased absolute lymphocytes,
  • Decreased ALB, increased GLOB, A:G≤0.7,
  • Jaundice, TBIL increased, etc.

Fluid analysis (Ascites, pleural effusion)

 Yellow    Yellow-green    Light yellow    Deep yellow   ✘ Milk-white   ✘ Blood-red

 

                                                          
                  Big Abdomen with effusion                                                                                    B-mode ultrasonography

 

Rivalta test-positive
ascites, pleural effusion.

RTPCR-positive
ascites, pleural effusion, CSF, stool, serum/plasma ect.

*  When the Rivalta test result is negative, the possibility of FIP can be reasonably excluded. However, reading of the test is subjective and results are therefore somewhat dependent on the evaluator.

RT-PCR, a commonly used diagnostic test, has about 30% false negative results. A positive result of the test is highly indicative of the presence of FIPV, a negative result can not be used to exclude the disease, especially when only serum, plasma and stool samples are available.

Although many FIP cats have characteristic CBCs, albumin and globulin levels and A:G, but not every cat will fully match the above parameters, which still need consider combined with age, origin, clinical signs and physical examination. The results are considered comprehensively. If these common abnormalities and clinical symptoms are generally consistent, it can be reasonably diagnosed as feline infectious peritonitis.

Clinical symptoms of Dry FIP

  • Anorexia, fatigue, sleepiness,
  • Weight loss,
  • Periodic fever, persists more than 4 days.( 102.5℉),
  • Non-regenerative anemia,
  • Increased absolute neutrophils,
  • Decreased absolute lymphocytes,
  • Increased TP, increased GLOB, decreased ALB, A:G≤0.7,
  • A high coronavirus titer,
  • Continued widespread mesenteric lymph nodes enlargement,
  • Inflammatory granuloma in multiple organs,
  • Mild ascites sits around the organs in the abdomen,
  • Jaundice, increased TBIL, etc.
     Ocular lesions (uveitis)
     Neurological signs lesions (Its ‘clinical feature is rest tremor, rear limb weakness, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. Confusion, urine or fecal incontinence, seizures, convulsions, paralysis, disorientation and shock may be seen in the late stages).

                                                  
                    Ocular with Eye inflamation                                                                               Weak and wobbly leg


Although many FIP cats have characteristic CBCs, albumin and globulin levels and A:G, but not every cat will fully match the above parameters, which still need consider combined with age, origin, clinical signs and physical examination. The results are considered comprehensively. If these common abnormalities and clinical symptoms are generally consistent, it can be reasonably diagnosed as feline infectious peritonitis.