VMD 513: Pet animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS (FIP) 

• FIP is deadly virus that is fatal to cats. This virus can take two forms, commonly referred to as wet (which involves fluid in the abdomen) and dry (which does not).
• Both forms of FIP may cause fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite.
  There is no effective treatment for FIP.
• The best way to prevent this disease is to keep your cat indoors away from strange animals and remain up-to-date on vaccines.
• Feline infectious peritonitis is caused by a coronavirus.
• The disease is spread through the feces or saliva of an infected cat before it shows symptoms of the disease.
• The outcome of the infection depends upon the cat’s age, the precise strain and dose of the virus and the cat’s immune system.
• The strength of the cat’s immune system response may determine whether he suffers from "wet" or "dry" FIP.
• A reduced appetite and lethargy are included in both as initial symptoms.
• "Wet" FIP symptoms will include abdominal swelling, fever, depression, weight loss and anemia .
• The chest may also fill with fluid making breathing difficult. These symptoms develop quickly over a few weeks.
• "Dry" FIP symptoms take longer to develop and cause inflammatory growths in the liver, kidneys, brain and eyes.
• They also include weight loss, depression and fever.
• Currently there is no specific treatment or vaccine. Most cats usually die as a result of infection.