National FIP Awareness Month

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (or FIP for short) is an important topic that every cat owner should be aware of. This condition can be quite troublesome and may have a significant impact on your furry friend’s health and happiness. Join us below as a local Brampton, ON vet tackles some important questions about FIP!

What is Feline Infectious Peritonitis?

FIP comes from a virus—to be precise, a feline coronavirus. Typically, this coronavirus is quite benign, almost like catching a common cold. Yet, this mutation can result in some serious and possibly life-threatening complications.

Is feline coronavirus a threat?

Feline coronavirus isn’t always a major threat. In fact, Fluffy will usually bounce back without a hitch! Most cats show just a few minor symptoms. You might not even realize that something’s amiss. Yet, a small number of our furry friends may encounter complications that can result in FIP. Senior kitties and those with compromised immune systems face a greater level of risk.

What are feline coronaviruses?

Remember, COVID-19 isn’t the only coronavirus out there! The feline coronavirus is different from COVID-19 in that has no effect on humans. It’s just one member of the coronavirus family! In animals, coronaviruses typically target the respiratory or digestive systems. 

Getting infected with coronavirus is pretty common in cats. Research suggests that around 25 to 40 percent of our feline friends have been infected with FCoV.

The risk increases in environments where many kitties mingle with each other—like colonies, shelters, or multi-cat homes. Still, in most cases, an infected cat’s symptoms are so subtle that they can easily go unnoticed. 

Who is Bria?

Many animal-related holidays, causes, and charities feature mascots—often a special pet that sparks awareness of a particular topic or issue. In this scenario, the pet in question is a kitten named Bria—a stunning lynx blue point Birman who loves playing Fetch and has a fondness for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 

Bria found her forever home with Susan Gingrich and her husband, Jim. As you might have figured out, the adorable kitty passed away due to complications from FIP. With a heavy heart, Susan dedicated her life to raising awareness about the disease. She ultimately made her way to the EveryCat Health Foundation, previously known as the Winn Feline Foundation. This organization is devoted to funding research focused on the health issues of our feline friends. Shortly afterwards, the Bria Fund for FIP Research was established.

What causes FIP in cats?

Kitties often catch FIP by sharing litterboxes with another cat that’s already infected.

Do all cats with FCoV get really sick?

Nope, not at all. In fact, most cats infected with FCoV demonstrate only mild symptoms and tend to bounce back quickly. Only about 12 percent end up developing FIP.

What are the risk factors for FIP?

Every cat that has experienced feline coronavirus faces a potential risk of developing FIP, but certain kitties find themselves at a higher risk than their furry friends.

Age certainly has an impact. FIP typically targets the younger members of the feline family. Most of the cases involve cats that are under 18 months old, and approximately 50 percent are younger than six months. Older cats face increased risks as well. Finally, it seems that purebred cats might also face increased vulnerability.

Check in with your Brampton, ON vet for more information.

How is feline coronavirus spread?

The feline coronavirus is a viral illness that can be spread a number of different ways. Nursing mamas might share it with their little ones. Cats can also spread infections to one another through grooming, sharing food and water bowls, playing with the same toys, using the same litterboxes, mating, or even during a playful scuffle.

Feline coronavirus, being an infectious disease, tends to thrive in environments bustling with cats, like animal shelters, catteries, or feral cat colonies.

What’s the lifespan of a cat with FIL?

There’s no straightforward answer to this. The outcome hinges on the kitty’s health and whether they’ve been affected by the effusive or non-effusive form of the virus. On that note, the outlook isn’t particularly good: estimates typically range from days to weeks for the effusive form of the virus, and weeks to months for the non-effusive variety. Your Brampton, ON vet will provide you with specific details once they’ve had a chance to evaluate your cat.

What are the symptoms of FIP?

FIP can be tricky to identify since its signs often resemble those of other illnesses. This is one of the many reasons we consistently recommend taking Fluffy to the vet at the first sign of anything unusual.

Here are some specific red flags to watch for:

• Stomach Bloating
• Difficulty Breathing
• Persistent Fever
• Loss of Appetite
• Weight Loss
• Depression
• Withdrawal
• Messy Coat

If you spot any of these signs, contact your Brampton, ON veterinarian immediately as symptoms can escalate rapidly with FIP.

It’s important to point out that FIP can take weeks, months, or even years to show up after that first coronavirus infection. 

What are the treatment options for FIP?

Sadly, there isn’t an official cure for FIP. Staying ahead of the game is your best bet. Typically, treatment efforts center around providing supportive care. This might involve ensuring that Fluffy stays well-hydrated. 

Your veterinarian might also suggest certain medications, like prednisone or cyclophosphamide. These are immune suppressives that could assist in slowing the progression of the disease. That said, it’s crucial to recognize that a cure does not currently exist.  

On a more positive note, recent research over the last few years suggests that antivirals could be a promising option for combating FIP. Since 2021, Remdesivir and GS-441524 have been legally accessible in the UK and Australia.

If your furry companion receives a diagnosis of FIP, your Brampton, ON vet will discuss the options that are available to you, based on your specific situation. 

How can you safeguard your furry companion from FIP?

Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to keep Fluffy happy, healthy, and purring away! First and foremost, make sure to stay on top of her preventative care! That includes regular check-ups, ongoing parasite prevention, and all recommended vaccinations.

Maintaining a tidy litterbox is essential as well. We suggest scooping every day and switching out the litter completely around once a week. Fluffy’s powder room ought to be tucked away in a quiet area, away from her food and water. The litterbox shouldn’t be placed in a drafty spot or in direct sunlight.

If you have multiple cats, it’s a good idea to take a few extra precautions. Ensure your furry friends each get their own litterbox and food and water bowls—no sharing allowed! We also suggest always keeping your kitty safely indoors.

Don’t forget to chat with your Brampton, ON vet for more tips on keeping your furry friend safe from FIP.

Schedule Your Next Visit to Our Brampton, ON Pet Clinic!

Have questions about your kitty’s health or care? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us – your friendly Brampton, ON animal hospital. We’re always happy to lend a paw!