About FIP

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  What's Feline Infectious Peritonitis

  Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease that occurs worldwide in cats. It is caused by a type of virus called a coronavirus, which tends to attack the cells of the intestinal wall.

   

  Wet FIP
  Cats under 2 years old are highly suspected of having feline infectious peritonitis when ascites or pleural effusion was found in their body.

  Dry FIP
  Dry FIP usually has a long subclinical period and needs observed combining with its clinical signs. Symptoms include periodic fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and weight loss, growth retardation, dry hair and that were not responsive to antibiotic therapy. And blood biochemistry contributes to the diagnosis of FIP, FCoV titer≥1:3200 can be reasonably inferred to be FIP.

  Dry to Wet
  The two forms of FIP are somewhat interchangeable, when it has been observed in experimental infection, the dry form always follows a brief bout of effusive disease. In the terminal stages of naturally occurring dry FIP, immunity can completely collapse and the disease reverts to a more effusive form.

   

  Clinical symptoms of Wet FIP

  a) Growing abdomen, and ultrasound or X-rays indicate the presence of ascites.
  b) Breathing is getting faster and faster, and ultrasound or X-rays indicate the presence of pleural effusion.
  c) Ascites with pleural effusions.

  The usual symptoms will be a), b), c) one of the three.

  • Anorexia, fatigue, sleepiness,
  • Weight loss,
  • Periodic fever, persists more than 4 days (＞102.5℉),
  • A high coronavirus titer,
  • Non-regenerative anemia,
  • Increased absolute neutrophils,
  • Decreased absolute lymphocytes,
  • Decreased ALB, increased GLOB, A:G≤0.7,
  • Jaundice, TBIL increased, etc.

  Fluid analysis (Ascites, pleural effusion)

  ✔ Yellow   ✔ Yellow-green   ✔ Light yellow   ✔ Deep yellow   ✘ Milk-white   ✘ Blood-red

  

  Rivalta test-positive
  ascites, pleural effusion.

  RTPCR-positive
  ascites, pleural effusion, CSF, stool, serum/plasma ect.

  *  When the Rivalta test result is negative, the possibility of FIP can be reasonably excluded. However, reading of the test is subjective and results are therefore somewhat dependent on the evaluator.

  RT-PCR, a commonly used diagnostic test, has about 30% false negative results. A positive result of the test is highly indicative of the presence of FIPV, a negative result can not be used to exclude the disease, especially when only serum, plasma and stool samples are available.

  Although many FIP cats have characteristic CBCs, albumin and globulin levels and A:G, but not every cat will fully match the above parameters, which still need consider combined with age, origin, clinical signs and physical examination. The results are considered comprehensively. If these common abnormalities and clinical symptoms are generally consistent, it can be reasonably diagnosed as feline infectious peritonitis.

  Clinical symptoms of Dry FIP

  • Anorexia, fatigue, sleepiness,
  • Weight loss,
  • Periodic fever, persists more than 4 days.( 102.5℉),
  • Non-regenerative anemia,
  • Increased absolute neutrophils,
  • Decreased absolute lymphocytes,
  • Increased TP, increased GLOB, decreased ALB, A:G≤0.7,
  • A high coronavirus titer,
  • Continued widespread mesenteric lymph nodes enlargement,
  • Inflammatory granuloma in multiple organs,
  • Mild ascites sits around the organs in the abdomen,
  • Jaundice, increased TBIL, etc.
    ✔ Ocular lesions (uveitis)
    ✔ Neurological signs lesions (Its ‘clinical feature is rest tremor, rear limb weakness, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. Confusion, urine or fecal incontinence, seizures, convulsions, paralysis, disorientation and shock may be seen in the late stages
  • 

  • Although many FIP cats have characteristic CBCs, albumin and globulin levels and A:G, but not every cat will fully match the above parameters, which still need consider combined with age, origin, clinical signs and physical examination. The results are considered comprehensively. If these common abnormalities and clinical symptoms are generally consistent, it can be reasonably diagnosed as feline infectious pe
  ritonitis.

1.Do notinject in the cat’s scuff,it’s slow toabsorb and the area is not big enough for all the injections.
2.Subcutaneous injections can be given along the shoulders area left and right ofthe spine. For better visibility it’s advised to shave the area
3.Avoid if possible the butt’s area, it’s a particularly sensitive area, it can be more painful.

»Treatment Period
The recommended treatment period is 12 weeks. According to reports in the literature, the cure rate after 12 weeks of treatment is about 96%. According to the individual differences of cats, the recommendation is subject to the blood and biochemical panels tests  results.

√√  Auxiliary medication

Adjuvant medication is not a necessary medication for FIP treatment. It is recommended that parents choose the medicine they need according to the health of the cat. Check regularly (once every 4 weeks) to make a blood biochemical test report, and select supplementary medications based on indicators.

♦Prednisone
Cats could take corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone and prednisolone when wait for the GS medicine, then decrease the dosage gradually until stop the prednisone,  However, unlike treating enteritis, acute inflammation, and fighting against malignant diseases such as FIP, hormone drugs are not as effective as they used to be. After using hormone anti-inflammatory drugs, sick cats will immediately get relief. But In fact, it is not that prednisone is effective in treating FIP, but it can reduce and prevent the response of organs and tissues to inflammation and reduce inflammatory exudation.

♦Nutrition and immunity
Cats will have fever and anorexia at the early stage of FIP, which will lead to malnutrition and low immunity. Therefore, it is especially important to ensure that the body gets enough nutrition and improve the body’s immunity during treatment. Severe anorexia occurs at the initial stage. When anorexia is improved, it is necessary to perform forced feeding, that is, to feed (canned food, nutrient solution, nutrient ointment). After the anorexia returns to normal, do not interrupt the nutrient solution, nutrient ointment, canned food and other nutrients. In terms of immunity, sheep placenta transfer can be used. factor.

♦Blood supplement
Anemia is one of the common symptoms of FIP cats, blood supplements must be used, and some related drugs that stimulate blood production.

♦Liver and kidney function
Both the cause of FIP disease and long-term medication are a relatively large burden on the liver and kidneys. Therefore, liver and kidney problems should not be ignored during treatment. Liver protection and prevention of renal failure are particularly important. Please check the liver and kidneys every 4 weeks.

♦Mixed infection and secondary infection
Either mixed infection or secondary infection is the cause for FIP cats to pass away. Often the death of cats is not due to FIP itself, but mixed infections and secondary infections are causing trouble. This is why some parents have FIP symptoms during treatment. The key to alleviating some symptoms such as fever, anorexia, etc., is especially important to prevent viral and bacterial infections during treatment. It is recommended to use some interferons and antibiotics (cephalosporins are not recommended) to prevent mixed infections or secondary infections, if conditions permit Parents recommend checking blood routine and biochemistry once a week. First, you can monitor the recovery of various indicators of the body. Second, you can also monitor whether there are other infections.

♦Intestinal medication
Because the coronavirus first invades the intestines, some cats will have diarrhea. It is recommended that yeasts cooperate with probiotics to regulate the intestines and stomach. In the case of intestinal mucosal damage (pulling blood, the mucous membrane is pulled out). Treat with slippery elm peel powder. For cats with severe watery diarrhea, montmorillonite powder can be used.

♦Vitamins
Vitamins have too many effects on cats. Sufficient vitamin intake is beneficial to both sick FIP cats and healthy cats. It is recommended to supplement it during the treatment period, which will greatly benefit the treatment and body recovery. Benefits (ask Google for specific benefits)