Author: Leigh Polli Capaqua Turkish Angoras
FIP is a fatal disease which primarily affects kittens and young adults; although cats with compromised immune systems (such as old cats and those with FeLV or FIV) may also develop FIP.
FIP is believed to be a mutation of a benign virus that is common in multi cat environments - an animal shelter, a cattery, a home with several cats. Although researchers differ on the incidence of infection - estimates of infection in catteries range from 80-90%. This is because most cats shed the virus (intermittently or chronically) and continually reintroduce the virus into their environment.
This feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) generally does not affect the adult cats in these environments. It may cause slight stomach upset and diarrhea in very young kittens after the immunity they receive from their mothers has waned, but most recover quickly and suffer no further ill effects. Sometimes this benign virus mutates - particularly in young kittens - to a more virulent form of coronavirus (FIPV), because of genetic predisposition or because they have not yet developed a strong immune system. They don't "catch" the disease - it is the result of the mutation of an otherwise harmless virus within their own bodies. So although the benign form, FECV, is highly infectious; the virulent form, FIPV which causes FIP, is not. Thus, cats with FIP are unlikely to infect others.
There is no conclusive test for FIP. The so called "FIP titer" tests only measure coronavirus and are not specific for FIP. Cats can have very high titers; but with no clinical signs, there is little likelihood the cat has FIP. Some of the more common clinical signs are recurrent fever that is not responsive to antibiotics, inappetence, depression, and weight loss. There are two forms of FIP - the effusive "wet" form in which fluid accumulates in body cavities and the non effusive "dry" form. When the cat has the effusive form of FIP, the thick, straw colored fluid has characteristics that are indicative of FIP. Lab tests can be performed on this fluid and on blood to gain more information. Based on all these signs, a presumptive diagnosis of FIP may be made. A definitive diagnosis of FIP can only be made by examination of tissues either by biopsy or necropsy.
FIP is inevitably fatal - there is no effective treatment. Palliative treatments include administration of corticosteroids, other immunosuppressive medications and antibiotics to slow down the inflammatory process of the disease and minimize secondary infections. Recently an article by Arnold Plotnick, DVM, published in Cat Fancy Magazine, related a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery which may offer hope. The 12 study cats were treated with interferon (an antiviral drug) together with glucocorticoids (anti-inflammatory medications). Four cats died in a short period, four survived for 2-5 months and 4 achieved complete remission. It's wonderful to know that there is another research project into this disease and possible treatments. However, no conclusions can be drawn from a study involving only 12 cats. At the most optimistic, this data gives some hope that an effective treatment, if not a cure, may be found in the foreseeable future.
The only available vaccine is the Primucell FIP vaccine which has not been shown to be effective and safe in a cattery situation.
I lost a kitten to FIP 11 years ago and I can still remember the frustration and despair. Eleven years later, there is still no cure or treatment (except palliative treatment allowing the animal to be more comfortable until it dies), there is no test that conclusively diagnoses this disease, there is no safe and effective vaccine to protect the vulnerable kittens. However, more is known about the disease, more researchers are looking for effective tests and treatment and breeders are more knowledgeable about the disease and steps that can be taken to alleviate the risks in their own catteries.
WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOUR KITTEN HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH FIP?
Call the breeder and discuss the diagnosis with them. They will probably want to talk to your vet and find out what clinical signs and tests led to this conclusion. FIP is sometimes misdiagnosed and your breeder will want to make sure that the right steps are taken with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of your kitten. Please make sure that your vet is relying on more than a FIP titer test to make the diagnosis! As Neils Pedersen (a renowned FIP researcher) said, "the 'FIP test' has killed more cats than FIP".
Educate yourself - read some of the information provided in the links at the bottom of the page. I would suggest the links entitled "FIP Frequently Asked Questions - UC Davis" or "Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) - College of Veterinary Medicine - Cornell University" as being the most understandable.
WHAT CAN BREEDERS DO?
Be Informed: There are lots of good resources discussing this disease and things that can be done to alleviate the incidence of FIP in catteries. A list of links to some of the ones I found particularly well written follows this article. The article by Susan Little, DVM is a short, concise overview of the current views on this subject.
Educate your kitten buyers: Put it in your contract. State that the health guarantee is VOID if the Primucell vaccine is used on the kitten. My contract asks that the buyer call me immediately if their kitten becomes sick from any cause. Hopefully, this will give me the opportunity to talk to the buyer if a diagnosis of FIP is made based on an FIP titer test!
These provisions are in my contract, but I've been lucky and have not had another incidence of FIP. Maybe it's like carrying an umbrella - if you have one, it doesn't rain; when you go out without it, it pours! And maybe it's because I did see it 11 years ago and do things differently now. On the advice of UC Davis, I spayed the dam and neutered the sire on the off chance that it was genetic. And of course, the latest findings are that 50% of the incidences are genetic. I used to think soap and water was enough - now I go through bleach at a rapid clip! I do not "campaign" kittens because of the increased likelihood that their immune systems will be compromised. I isolate the queen and her kittens from all my other cats until the kittens go to their new homes. If I keep a kitten, it remains separate from all my other cats until it is 4-5 months old.
Maybe all these steps and precautions are not necessary and other breeders might elect to take different steps. The important thing is to be informed, educate your buyers and do whatever you deem prudent to alleviate the risk of this happening in your cattery.
FIP is a terrible disease and it isn't "manageable" because of the lack of a test, vaccine or effective treatment. However, knowledge can help to alleviate the risks, can discourage the use of the Primucell vaccine and help eliminate euthanasia of kittens that are misdiagnosed.
LINKS:
Updates on Feline Infectious Peritonitis
- Winn Feline Foundation
Feline Infectious Peritonitis - updated information for breeders
- Susan Little DVM
Feline Infectious Peritonitis - Virus Shedding and Infection - The American Experience
- Winn Feline Foundation
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
- College of Veterinary Medicine - Cornell University
FIP Frequently Asked Questions
- UC Davis
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
- Scott, Richards & Barlough
