hi, my kitten died last night and the vet said that it was from fip and i want to find out more about it?

Question

she was less than a year old and the symptoms came on about a week before she died. The vets were doing tests but didnt know what was wrong with her. Any information would be very helpful. thanks

Answer 1

What is feline infectious peritonitis?
Feline infectious peritonitis is a usually fatal disease caused by a virus that can be controlled through good hygiene and minimizing stress.



Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a major viral disease of both wild and domestic cats that is almost always fatal. It was first discovered in the 1960s, and in 1970 the causative virus was identified as a coronavirus, which are a group of viruses that cause disease in pigs, dogs, and humans. However, FIP virus (FIPV) does not infect humans. Although coronavirus infection is common among cats, the incidence of feline infectious peritonitis is less than 1%. It occurs more commonly in multicat households and in purebred cats. For example, the Burmese breed seems to be more susceptible to FIP. Sometimes a period of stress occurs just before the development of FIP, such as neutering, vaccination, or moving.

FIP affects cats of all ages and both genders, but mostly young (kitten to two years) and older (fifteen years) cats. This may be due to the undeveloped immune system in the young cat, and weakening immunity in the older cat. It is possible for several kittens in a litter to develop FIP. It may be a factor in "kitten mortality complex," that is, the unexplained deaths of fetuses, newborns, and the very young.

Not all cats infected with the virus become seriously ill, but infected cats with mild symptoms or even no symptoms can become carriers and pass it on to other cats for as long as several years. A carrier cat that develops lowered immunity may eventually develop the full-blown disease.

Although the way FIPV is spread is not yet clear, the major source of the virus is in the feces of cats. Since it is rather unstable, it cannot survive more than a few weeks in the environment, so environmental spread is probably not a major source of the infection. It is also possible for cats that have had no contact with diseased cats to develop FIP. In multicat households that have had cats with FIP, it may mysteriously recur after months of being free of disease.

After a cat ingests the virus, replication follows in the pharynx and small intestine. The virus can be shed from the throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines and spread to other cats one to ten days later. It then reaches the lymphoid tissue, and eventually the infection spreads throughout the body. The virus may incubate for as long as several years before symptoms appear, when the disease is no longer contagious.

There are a number of strains of FIPV--some more virulent than others--and a cat with a strong immune system may not develop the disease. The presence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may predispose a cat to the development of FIP.

Some of the initial clinical signs of FIP are fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. Other cats have sneezing, watery eyes, and nose discharge. Several weeks later, more definitive symptoms appear. The disease at this point is divided into wet or dry, but many cats have a mixture of the two.

In wet FIP (around 60-70% of FIP cases), fluid accumulates in body cavities--most commonly the abdominal cavity--with gross abdominal swelling; or the thoracic cavity, which may cause breathing problems.

In dry FIP, lesions develop in different sites, and symptoms depend on what organs are affected. In up to 50% of cases, eye inflammation or neurological problems such as paralysis, unsteady gait, and seizures will develop. Other lesions may affect the kidneys, liver or gastrointestinal area.

FIP is difficult to diagnose through standard laboratory tests, and many veterinarians don't bother with blood tests. However, some tests can help point to FIP as a cause for your cat's condition. The coronavirus titer test can determine the presence of coronavirus in your cat. X-ray and analysis of fluid present in the body cavities is one of the most useful tests. Examination of biopsied tissue is another way FIP can be confirmed.

Thus far, there is no effective treatment available for FIP. Infected cats can be treated symptomatically, but euthanasia becomes the only option as the disease progresses. Alternative veterinarians recommend homeopathy, herbs, and nutrition to treat symptoms, but not as a cure.

The most effective way to deal with FIPV is through strict control of infection. In a multicat household, any cats with signs of possible FIP should be isolated and kept indoors until a diagnosis is made. This is especially important if the cat is pregnant. After her kittens are born, they should be removed from her after four to six weeks (by that time they will have acquired antibodies from the mother, and started producing their own) to protect them from acquiring any viruses from her, including FIPV.

Hygiene is crucial in controlling FIPV. Make sure litter boxes are scooped daily, throw away the rest of the litter every week, and disinfect the boxes with bleach. Also clean and disinfect the area around the box. Use at least one litter box for every two cats. Change food and water daily, and disinfect bowls and utensils weekly. Almost any common household disinfectant can be used to destroy FIPV, which can survive up to three weeks in the home.

Other measures to control FIP include minimizing stress, especially if you have more than one cat. Do not bring new cats into the home for six months. And you might consider screening your cats for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, which suppress the immune system of the cat and predispose it to developing FIP.

A vaccine is available for FIPV, but it is controversial and some veterinarians do not recommend it. Studies are continuing to create a more effective vaccine that will cover all strains of FIPV.

I hope this helps I am so sorry about your kitten. I just lost a 11 month old cat back in March (recalled cat food).

Answer 2

FIP stands for Feline Infectious Peritonitis. FIP is part of the Corona virus family.

Most pet cats have been exposed to the corona virus, and most do not get sick. However, in about three per cent of cats, this benign virus mutates into a fatal autoimmune-like disease called FIP. No one knows exactly why this happens.

The major risk factors for FIP include poor sanitation, overcrowding and malnutrition. The disease is spread by feces, ingestion and sneezing. The biggest problem with FIP is that it is not a typical infectious disease. The cat's immune system, in an attempt to protect the cat against FIP, actually speeds the process of the disease.

The good news is most cats have antibodies to Corona virus, which includes FIP. The bad news is if your pet falls into the small percentage that contracts FIP. FIP literally condemns your cat to death in a short amount of time.

I'm sorry this happened to you. There is a vaccine out now for FIP, however it has it's own problems as it challenges the immune system, and is not 100% effective. Ask your vet the about it.

Good luck.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
hi, my kitten died last night and the vet said that it was from fip and i want to find out more about it?
she was less than a year old and the symptoms came on about a week before she died. The vets were doing tests but didnt know what was wrong with her. Any information would be very helpful. thanks

Answer 4

I really hope your making this up, because if your not and this actually happened I am lost for words, How you could not notice that a kitten was in the machine? I mean really? I'm not saying this to be mean or nasty this is a genuine plea, please don't get another kitten, you are evidently not responsible enough to care for one, you have to think of every single eventuality, and this includes making sure the cat hasn't crawled into the machine if the door has been left open. Its basic common sense. As for this happening alot I can honestly say in all my life, including the 3 years I volunteered at an animal shelter I have NEVER ever heard of this happening. Having a pet is not a right its a responsibility that must be taken seriously.

Answer 5

First, let me say I am so sorry for your loss.

FIV is common for certain cats in certain environments. If your kitten was not exposed to that, then it is probably not the issue. I have cats for years but do not know what "fip" means.

Since your kitten is gone, perhaps you might try to search shelters for another cat, although it wouldn't replace the one you had. However you would know that you would be saving a cat and giving him/her a good home. I have two from shelters and they are very affectionate.

I'm sorry that I cannot answer your question regarding your kitten. I am not a vet and have not experienced this strange happening before. I do wish you the best and I hope you will try to put this behind you and enjoy your next pet.

Answer 6

This was not a typo. She said FIP not FIV. FIP is feline infectious peritonitis. What a tragedy! I am so sorry. I hope it was not transmitted to other cats in your home! Sorry! Here are some references:

Answer 7

first of all i'm really sorry for your loss. FIV is a virus that attacs the immune systhem an dis very similar to the humand HIV virus. my cat has FIV, and he's getting regular vitamin shots and so on. just like HIV in humans , cats can live it it for a long time. mine has it now for 4 years and i'm praying that she will live a while still, as at the moment she looks very healthy. its not contagious to humans, but highly contagious to cats, though body fluids, so i don.t let my cat out anymore.
i hope this information helps a bit. heads up. you might want to get a new kitten from the animal shelter to help you with the loss.

Answer 8

sorry to hear that hope ur ok just know ur kittens in a better place not suffering anymore.....go to www.newmanveterinary.com/fip.html for more info about Feline infectious peritonitis

Answer 9

y dont u ask your vet about it