Feline Panleukopenia: Symptoms, Treatment & Care Guide

What is Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)?

Feline Infectious Peritonitis, commonly known as FIP, is a deadly disease caused by a sudden outbreak of the feline coronavirus. There are numerous strains of this virus, but only a small fraction are capable of causing FIP in cats.

Any age of cat is susceptible to FIP, but older cats and kittens under two years of age are at a higher risk.

Is it a certainty that cats with FIP will die?

The symptoms of FIP can vary depending on the cat's immune response. Some cats can fight off the virus with their own immune systems, even before it mutates. However, others (1% to 3%) are less fortunate; their immune systems cannot withstand the virus, leading to the development of FIP either from the virus itself or from a mutation within the cat's body that triggers FIP, which then spreads throughout the body via white blood cells.

Symptoms of FIP:

When a cat is infected with the FIP strain, the virus first multiplies in the tonsils and intestinal mucosa, then invades cells and proliferates. This triggers a range of symptoms, which become more pronounced over time.

FIP is generally divided into early and late stages. In the early stages, infected cats may exhibit symptoms such as fever, excessive sleepiness, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal swelling, and difficulty breathing. In the later stages, symptoms can be categorized as dry or wet:

Wet FIP is characterized by a significant accumulation of fluid in the chest and abdominal cavities, leading to increased abdominal circumference and, in some cases, difficulty breathing.

Dry FIP, in addition to weight loss and fever, can also affect the eyes, kidneys, and central nervous system, resulting in symptoms like cloudy eyes, conjunctivitis, eye discharge, vision impairment, and in rare cases, multiple neurological symptoms such as hind limb paralysis, tremors, and nystagmus. Some cats with dry FIP may also develop granulomas in the abdomen and fibrous plaques on the surface of abdominal organs.

Diagnosis of FIP:

Currently, laboratory and imaging diagnostics are the primary methods for diagnosing FIP. Doctors consider white blood cell count (blood test), positive hightiter antibody results, and globulin levels. Generally, if all three values are abnormal, there is a 90% chance the cat has FIP. If only one value is abnormal, there is a 99% chance the cat has not developed FIP.

If the cat has abdominal fluid, the doctor may collect a sample for analysis. If the gamma globulin ratio is over 32%, the cat has a 100% chance of having FIP. If the albumin ratio is over 48% or the albumintoglobulin ratio is greater than 0.81, the cat has a zero chance of having FIP.

When a cat is highly suspected of having FIP, it is crucial not to give up on treatment. We must believe in our pets' ability to achieve miracles.

Prevention of FIP:

While there is no cure for FIP, it can be significantly prevented. Since FIP is a mutation of the feline coronavirus, maintaining a strong immune system in cats is key to preventing mutations. Factors that can weaken a cat's immune system include malnutrition, temperature changes, and stress. Ensuring a balanced and adequate diet, reducing stress, and not frequently changing the living environment can all help prevent the virus from mutating.

The treatment for FIP focuses on controlling complications and secondary symptoms, which may extend the cat's survival time. However, when a cat is extremely weak and in pain, humane euthanasia might be the better option.