Are there any treatments for FIP?

Question

My cat has that.

Answer 1

Treatment

There is no cure for FIP. As with all terminal illnesses, the basic course of action is to provide supportive care. A combination of corticosteroids, cytotoxic drugs, antibiotics, good dietary maintenance, and proper fluid intake may relieve discomfort. Some veterinarians may recommend homeopathy, herbs, and dietary changes as well.

Your veterinarian should have gone over the treatment after he concluded your cat had FIP.

Answer 2

As far as I am aware, the answer is no. Cats with FIP can live with it for a certain amount of time, but in the end the disease takes over. Do what you can to keep your cat comfortable, and if he doesn't yet have any serious symptoms, he may still be able to survive for a year or more. It is important that you don't take him around other cats, though, because you don't want to expose them to the virus. I am sorry for you because I have gone through this with a cat I rescued as a kitten, who is now "in heaven." I wish I could give you better news.

Answer 3

Hi there...so sorry to hear your kitten has been diagnosed with this terrible virus. The titer tests for FIP produces more false/negatives so most vets recognize this isn't a certainty to determine if/or a cat is infected so retesting is a must. However, supposedly new tests have been developed, but I don't know the efficacy of these, but you could present this to your vet: http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/reports/FIP-update-pt1.html

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is caused by a coronavirus that can infect any cat, though young cats and very old cats (14yr and up) appear most susceptible. The FIP virus (FIPV) is very similar to the coronavirus that causes a transient, usually mild, self-limiting diarrhea (Feline Enteric Corona Virus, FECV). In fact, there is some evidence that FECV can mutate to FIPV in some individuals. This means that even an indoor-only cat in a single-cat household may, in theory, develop this disease. Indeed, there is now belief that mutation from FECV to FIP is the most probable means of acquiring FIP! There is some research information concerning the topic of transmission, (as well as diagnosis, vaccination, etc.) presented at a relatively recent conference .

Though still debatable, it appears unlikely that the virus can be passed to unborn kittens or via the milk to newborns. Some apparently healthy cats may carry the virus which can be shed intermittently in bodily fluids or feces, with feces being the most common source of oral infection (which is considered an uncommon means of infection). Interestingly, and most likely due to the primarily mutational mechanism of acquired FIP actual mortality from environmental exposure to the virus (i.e from animals shedding virus) is sporadic, even in a population of cats where FIPV- carriers are known to be present.

The type and development of disease is quite complex and, in large part, dependent on the status of the animal’s immune system. In some instances, the immune system’s response to infection may actually worsen the clinical signs. In the Effusive Form of the disease there is accumulation of substantial quantities of fluid in body cavities (abdomen and chest). Some of these animals appear profoundly "pot-bellied", while the Dry Form of the disease does not present this way. In both forms, clinical signs can be quite variable; virtually any organ or soft tissue system can become affected, thus mimicking many diseases. The most common clinical signs are non-specific and include fluctuating fever, inappetance, lethargy and weight loss. Sometimes, if the central nervous system is affected, neurological abnormalities are apparent.

More on FIP:
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/fip.html
http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/fip/

Answer 4

NO. Having lost a couple of my own Siamese and several foster cats, I can tell you there is NO treatment. I have had a few of these cats/kittens to Cornell and there nothing they can do. Treatment is just for the symptoms, not for the disease itself.

Sorry. I have been there and it is a horrid disease!

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html

Here is some info from Cornell.

Answer 5

As you can read from other posters the news is very bad and must be devastating to you. I am so sorry you have to face this with your cat. May you both be at peace whatever the outcome.

Answer 6

I will ask my mom when she gets home.

Answer 7

I don't think there is.