National FIP Awareness Month – What Cat Owners Should Know

Feline Infectious Peritonitis is an important issue that every cat owner should be aware of. In the veterinary care field, we often refer to Feline Infectious Peritonitis as FIP. This condition can be quite distressing and may significantly impact your cat’s health and overall well-being. Below, a Carrollton, GA vet addresses some important questions about FIP. 

What is Feline Infectious Peritonitis?

FIP is the result of a virus, specifically a feline coronavirus. Typically, this coronavirus is quite benign. It’s fairly common, much like the common cold. Nonetheless, FIP is a mutation that may result in some severe and possibly life-threatening complications.

Is feline coronavirus a threat?

Feline coronavirus isn’t always harmful. Most of the time, Fluffy will bounce back without any trouble. Many cats exhibit very mild symptoms. In fact, you might not even realize that something is amiss! However, some of our feline friends may experience complications that can result in FIP. Senior kitties and those with compromised immune systems, for example, are especially vulnerable.

What are feline coronaviruses?

Remember that COVID-19 is just one type of coronavirus. The feline coronavirus differs from COVID-19. Specifically, it does not have an impact on humans. Coronaviruses in animals typically impact the respiratory or digestive systems. 

Cats can often be infected with coronavirus. Research suggests that around 25 to 40 percent of domesticated cats may have been infected with FCoV.

The risk is greatest in areas with a high number of cats. In environments where cats coexist with one another, like colonies, shelters, or multi-cat homes, the infection rate can reach as high as 100 percent. Most of the time, the kitty’s symptoms are so mild that they go unnoticed, though some cats may experience a bout of diarrhea. 

Who is Bria?

Many specific animal holidays, causes, and charities feature mascots—often a special pet that raises awareness about an issue for certain individuals or groups. In this instance, that special pet is a charming kitten named Bria, a lovely lynx blue point Birman who enjoys playing Fetch and has a fondness for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 

The real Bria found a loving home with Susan Gingrich and her husband, Jim. As you might have suspected, the sweet kitty passed away due to complications from FIP. Devastated, Susan dedicated herself to raising awareness about the disease. She reached out to the EveryCat Health Foundation, previously referred to as the Winn Feline Foundation. This organization stands alone in its mission to support research focused on the health concerns of cats. The Bria Fund for FIP Research was established shortly thereafter.

How do cats contract FIP?

Kittens most often contract FIP by sharing litter boxes with other cats that are infected.

Do all kitties with FCoV become very ill?

No. In fact, most cats infected with FCoV show mild symptoms and tend to recover swiftly. Approximately 12 percent progress to develop FIP.

What are the risk factors for FIP?

Any cat that has experienced feline coronavirus faces a risk of developing FIP. However, some kitties are more at risk than others.

Age certainly plays a role. FIP typically impacts younger cats. Most of the cases involve kittens that are under 18 months old. About half are under six months old. Older cats are also at greater risk. Finally, purebred cats may also be particularly susceptible.

Ask your Carrollton, GA vet for more information.

How is feline coronavirus transmitted?

The feline coronavirus is a viral illness. It can be transmitted in several different ways. Nursing mothers might transmit it to their kittens. Cats can transmit infections to one another through mutual grooming, sharing bowls, toys, litterboxes, mating, or fighting.

Feline coronavirus, being an infectious disease, is commonly seen in environments with a high concentration of cats, like animal shelters, catteries, or feral cat colonies.

What is the lifespan of a cat with FIP?

There isn’t a straightforward answer to this. It depends on the kitty’s health, and whether they have been infected by the effusive form or the non-effusive form. With that in mind, the outlook is not promising. Estimates typically range from days to weeks for the effusive form of the virus, and from weeks to months for the non-effusive type. Your Carrollton, GA vet can give you more specific information after evaluating your cat.

What are the signs of FIP?

The signs of FIP can be confusing, as many of them can be indicative of a wide variety of illnesses. This is one reason we always, always recommend taking Fluffy to the vet as soon as you notice anything wrong.

These include the following:

• Abdominal Bloating
• Respiratory Issues
• Persistent Fever
• Reduced Appetite
• Weight Loss
• Depression
• Withdrawal
• Unkempt Fur

Reach out to your Carrollton, GA vet right away if you notice any of these things. Keep in mind that symptoms can progress very quickly with FIP.

It’s worth noting that FIP sometimes doesn’t develop for weeks, months, or even years after that initial coronavirus infection. 

How is FIP treated?

Unfortunately, there is no official cure for FIP. Prevention is really your best option here. Treatment efforts are usually focused on supportive care. This may entail things like making sure Fluffy is getting enough fluids. Your vet may also recommend specific medications, such as prednisone or cyclophosphamide. These are immune suppressives that may help to slow down the progression of the disease. However, it’s important to understand that there really isn’t a cure.  

That said, there is some good news here. Research that has been conducted over the past three years indicates that antivirals may be effective against FIP. Remdesivir and GS-441524 have been available legally in the UK and Australia since 2021. (Unfortunately, this has also led to a rise in illegal medications, but that’s another topic.)

If your feline friend is diagnosed with FIP, your Carrollton, GA vet will be able to discuss the options with you. 

What can you do to protect your feline friend from FIP?

Fortunately, basic good cat care will go a long way towards keeping your feline buddy happy, healthy, and purring. First and foremost, keep up with Fluffy’s preventative care. That includes her veterinary exams, parasite control, and vaccinations.

Keeping the litterbox clean is also important. We recommend scooping daily and changing the litter about once a week. If you have more than one kitty, you would also want more than one box. Fluffy’s powder room should be located in a quiet spot—one that isn’t near her food or water. The litterbox also shouldn’t be in a drafty area or direct sunlight.

You will want to take some extra precautions if you have more than one cat. Make sure that your feline pals don’t have to share litterboxes or food bowls. We also would strongly recommend keeping your kitty safely indoors at all times.

Be sure to ask your Carrollton, GA veterinarian for more information on protecting your feline buddy from FIP.

Make an Appointment at Our Carrollton, GA Pet Clinic

Do you have questions about your feline friend’s health or care? Please feel free to contact us anytime. As your local Carrollton, GA animal hospital, we are here to help!