Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease in cats caused by an infection with feline coronavirus (FCoV). Although FIP is caused by coronavirus in cats, this is not the same virus as COVID-19 and the virus does not affect humans.
FCoV is very contagious and can be fairly common, although it is more common in large groups of cats. This might include those living in a home with more than one cat or those in breeding catteries. FIP can also be common in kittens and cats under two years old but can also be seen in older cats.
In most cats, feline coronavirus causes no symptoms. However, in some cases your cat may have diarrhoea that gets better after a few days.
Feline coronavirus (FCoV) that is mild can often go away. As an owner, you may not even be aware that your cat has FCoV.
If you are worried, it is always best to speak to your vet.
Feline coronavirus is very contagious and cats can get it at any time through contact with the poo of infected cats. In fact, this is the most common form of transmission of the virus. They might inadvertently ingest the virus when they are grooming, or when poo particles contaminate their food.
There is no specific treatment for feline coronavirus and, in most cases, your cat will recover without needing any treatment.
In some cases, feline coronavirus (FCoV) in cats can cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). This can happen if FIP mutates inside of a cat and their immune system reacts in a certain way. Most cats suffering from FCoV will not develop this condition, although they can still pass it on to other cats.
There are two forms of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) that are commonly described and may show signs in cats. The symptoms of FIP in cats can be difficult to spot.
wet or 'effusive' FIP usually causes a more rapid decline for cats
‘Dry’ or non-effusive FIP symptoms can be less specific and can be difficult to spot.
If you suspect your cat may have feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), book an urgent appointment to see your vet. FIP in cats can be difficult to diagnose.
There is no simple test and cat FIP symptoms can often be similar to other conditions. If your cat has feline coronavirus and your vet suspects they may also have FIP, they might use the following for a means of diagnosis:
Treatment of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) can vary and while some cats may need treatment for several days, others will need treatment for several months. In some cases, by the time symptoms arise, FIP is very advanced and treatment may not be possible.
Your vet will try to stabilise your cat, which might involve giving them fluids with an intravenous drip, support in their nutrition and medication. There are some anti-viral drugs that can be used but your cat may need this medication for many months.
In cats that are critically ill or in the advances stages of FIP, your vet may recommend putting your cat down to avoid any suffering.
Fortunately it is quite rare for indoor cats to be infected by feline infectious peritonitis but if they are sharing a home with other cats the risk does increase. To reduce the risk, you can:
While there is a commercial vaccine developed in the USA to prevent infection of feline infectious peritonitis in cats, the effectiveness of the vaccine is unknown. It can only be used in kittens over 16 weeks of age, by which time some kittens may already be infected with feline coronavirus. For these reasons, the vaccine is not recommended and is currently not available in the UK.
If your cat does get feline coronavirus (FCoV), there is no way of knowing whether they will develop feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) or not. Reducing stress may help to prevent a cat from developing FIP. To keep your cat with FCoV calm you can: