For Vets: In the Wet form of FIV, what does the abdomen feel like?

Question

I am feeling the abdomen/stomach area. It feels very tight. Is there something I should be looking for or hearing for? He seems to be breathing regular. I don't hear fluids when I press on his side, and he doesn't seem bothered when I touch it. He has loose skin towards the groin that seems fatty or it could be the protein liquid buildup. Not sure, but will be seeing a vet - just wanted some more professional opinions. I can include any more details as I read replies.

I mean the Wet form of FIP

Answer 1

It's more about how the abdomen looks - it becomes very pot-bellied. A fluid filled abdomen also looks and feels pretty much like a water balloon - you can kind of slop the fluid around a bit. It isn't really a painful thing.

There's a picture of a cat with 'wet' FIP here - it's a pretty advanced case and I've never seen one this bad but you get the idea....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_infectious_peritonitis#Effusive_.28wet.29

If your cat has wet FIP, there will also be a lot of snotty discharge coming from the eyes and nose. Is this present? It's hard to say from a description but I'm not sure a vet would think 'FIP' in this case. Even if all the signs are present, the only way to tell for sure is from a faecal test - you might want to bring some along with you to the appointment just in case they do suspect FIP. Oh, cats with FIP usually have diarrhoea too.

Chalice

Answer 2

Wet FIP does not always present ocular or nasal discharge. It may simply show as a distended abdomen. You can also have fluid accumulation in the chest, where there would be no distension, but would be labored breathing.

Typically, a cat with wet FIP is lethargic, often has diarrhea and vomiting, runs a low grade fever, and has a corona virus titer of over 1:1280.

Dr. Diane Addie of Scotland, who has spent many years reseraching the subject, sets four parameters for the diagnosis of FIP, since the titer alone only tells you the virus is present, and not that it has mutated into FIP. Nearly all cats except those in strictly regimented catteries, will carry the common Feline Enteric Corona virus, but only a small percentage mutates it into FIP.

Her parameters are:
-a titer over 1:1280
-an alph glycoid protein reading of around 1600 (this test is mainly available in Scotland, although one lab in the U.S. now claims to offer it)
-an albumin to globulin ratio of under .4
-a drop in the hematocrit level to under 30%
-a concurrent rise in the neutrophils

This is all taken from a blood test. However, a vet can aspirate by needle, fluid from the abdomen for an electrophoresis test, which will detect corona virus in the fluid, which is typically a stringy, yellow, viscous material. If the virus is present, the cat has FIP.

The "natural" virus, FeCOV, exists only in the digestive tract. When it mutates, it is carried into the bloodstream on the macrophages. When that happens, and it invades the organs, the organse seep fluid into the abdomen. This is called "exudate". It is the only way that the corona virus could enter the abdomen.

Answer 3

Carraigcreaive is absolutely right! I had a cat with the wet form of FIP, and also did a lot of research on it when he was diagnosed. The info that Carraigcreative gave is exactly the same as I found. My vet aspirated the fluids from his abdomen a few times, to make things easier for him in the beginning, but it was only a temporary measure, as he was eventually not eating at all, and was in horrible pain. He had to be euthanized about three weeks after being diagnosed. I do hope that your kitty has not got this truly horrible illness, as it is heartbreaking to see your beloved pet going downhill so fast, knowing that the only outcome is death.

Answer 4

I have a female that is FIV positive. My vet just didn't have as much information as I wanted and I have been finding answers since Dec. 21st, 2006. I have found that FIV positive cats get constipated a lot. I feed mine pumpkin pie filling (about a teaspoon a day) I also give her chicken broth in the morning (about 1/2 cup). That seems to keep her going. When she gets constipated, her sides do get stiff and feel a little hard. Also, if your cat is not fixed, please fix it. Prints got a severe uterus infection and I almost lost her. I don't know what would get infected on the boy cats, but I do know that he hormone changes from the cycle causes many problems in FIV positive cats. Mine is very healthy right now and I worry all of the time, especially during hairball season. I give 1 inch of furball medicine every other day to help, but she still gets them sometimes. I allow e-mail, if you have another question on it, I may be able to help. At least I will try.