DIAGNOSING FIP
Clinical Symptoms of FIP
Dry FIP
Dry FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) often develops slowly and may not show clear signs immediately. It requires careful observation and combination of clinical signs for diagnosis. Here’s what to look for:
Periodic Fever:
What to Observe: The cat may experience recurring fevers that come and go, often without an apparent cause.
Extreme Tiredness (Lethargy):
What to Observe: The cat may appear unusually tired, with less energy and increased sleeping.
Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss:
What to Observe: The cat may refuse food and lose weight despite eating less.
Growth Retardation:
What to Observe: In younger cats, you may notice stunted growth or failure to gain weight appropriately.
Dry Coat:
What to Observe: The cat’s fur may become dry and brittle, lacking its usual shine.
Granulomas:
What to Observe: Granulomas are small, inflamed areas that can form in various organs, such as the liver, kidneys, or intestines. They may cause swelling or discomfort in these areas.
Symptoms Not Responsive to Antibiotic Therapy:
What to Observe: Common symptoms that don’t improve with standard antibiotic treatments.
Diagnostic Clues
Blood Biochemistry:
Blood tests may show a high FCoV (Feline Coronavirus) titer of ≥1:3200, which can be an indicator of FIP.
Wet FIP
leads to fluid buildup in the abdomen and chest. Identifying these symptoms early can help ensure timely veterinary care. Here’s what to look out for:
Swollen Abdomen:
What to Observe: The cat's abdomen may become noticeably swollen. Ultrasound or X-rays may show the presence of fluid (ascites).
Rapid Breathing:
What to Observe: The cat may breathe faster than usual. Ultrasound or X-rays may reveal fluid in the chest (pleural effusion).
Fluid Buildup:
What to Observe: Both ascites (fluid in the abdomen) and pleural effusion (fluid in the chest) can be present.
Common Symptoms
Loss of Appetite (Anorexia):
The cat may refuse to eat and show little interest in food.
Extreme Tiredness (Fatigue) and Sleepiness:
The cat may appear very tired and sleep more than usual.
Weight Loss:
Despite the swollen abdomen, the cat may lose weight.
Persistent Fever:
The cat may have a fever lasting more than four days (above 102.5°F).
High Coronavirus Titer:
Elevated levels of the virus may be detected in blood tests.
Non-Regenerative Anemia:
Low red blood cell count that does not improve with treatment.
Changes in White Blood Cells:
Increased absolute neutrophils (a type of white blood cell).
Decreased absolute lymphocytes (another type of white blood cell).
Protein Level Changes in Blood:
Decreased albumin (ALB), increased globulin (GLOB), and an A
ratio of ≤0.6.
Jaundice:
Yellowing of the skin, gums, or the whites of the eyes, with increased total bilirubin (TBIL).
Fluid Analysis
Color of Fluid:
Indicative of FIP: Yellow, yellow-green, light yellow, deep yellow.
Less Indicative of FIP: Milk-white, blood-red.
Tests:
Rivalta Test: Positive for ascites, pleural effusion. A negative result can reasonably exclude FIP, but the test is subjective.
RT-PCR: Positive results are highly indicative of FIPV, but the test has a 30% false negative rate. A negative result cannot exclude the disease, especially with serum, plasma, or stool samples.
OcULAR FIP (EYE):
Ocular FIP is a form of feline infectious peritonitis that affects a cat's eyes.
Eye Inflammation (Uveitis):
The colored part of the eye (iris) may look darker or change color.
The eye may appear cloudy or bluish.
Cloudy Eyes (Aqueous Flare):
A hazy or cloudy appearance in the front part of the eye due to inflammation.
White Spots on the Eye (Keratic Precipitates):
Small white deposits may appear on the inner surface of the eye.
Blood in the Eye (Hyphema):
You might notice blood in the front part of the eye.
Changes in Vision (Retinal Changes):
Cats may experience vision problems or blindness due to damage at the back of the eye.
Inflamed Retina (Chorioretinitis):
The back part of the eye (retina) may be inflamed, causing visual impairment.
Swelling of the Eye (Corneal Edema):
The eye may appear swollen or cloudy.
Pus in the Eye (Hypopyon):
Pus may accumulate in the front part of the eye.
Small Pupils (Miosis):
The pupils may become smaller and not respond well to light.
Increased Eye Pressure (Secondary Glaucoma):
Due to inflammation, the pressure inside the eye may increase, causing pain.
Eye Pain or Discomfort:
Your cat may squint, rub its eyes, or show signs of discomfort around the eyes.
Neurological Signs:
Neurological FIP is a form of feline infectious peritonitis that affects a cat's nervous system.
Tremors (Resting Tremor):
Involuntary shaking or trembling, often noticed when the cat is at rest.
Weakness in the Back Legs (Rear Limb Weakness):
Difficulty walking or an unsteady gait, especially in the hind legs.
Stiffness (Rigidity):
The cat may appear stiff or have difficulty moving.
Slow Movements (Bradykinesia):
Movements may become slow and uncoordinated.
Balance Issues (Postural Instability):
The cat may have trouble maintaining balance and may fall over easily.
The cat may sway at the hips or walk as if drunk.
Confusion and Disorientation:
The cat may seem confused or disoriented, not recognizing familiar people or surroundings.
Incontinence (Urine or Fecal Incontinence):
The cat may lose control over its bladder or bowels.
Seizures:
The cat may experience convulsions or fits.
Paralysis:
Partial or complete loss of movement in certain parts of the body.
Unequal Pupil Size (Anisocoria):
One pupil may be larger than the other, indicating a neurological issue.
Shock:
In severe cases, the cat may go into shock, showing signs of extreme weakness or collapse.
Additional Symptoms to Look For
Reluctance to Jump:
The cat may avoid jumping up or down from furniture.
Leaning to One Side:
The cat may lean or tilt its head to one side.
Severe Itching or Scratching (Attacking):
The cat may excessively scratch or bite at its skin.
Stiff Tail:
The tail may become stiff or less flexible.
Falling Down:
The cat may fall over frequently.
Cross Stepping:
The cat's legs may cross over each other when walking.
Staying Low to the Ground:
The cat may crouch close to the ground when moving around.
Recognizing the Stages of FIP
Wet FIP
Early Stage:
Young cats (≤2 years old) with periodic fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, growth retardation, and dry coat. Ineffective antibiotic treatment raises suspicion of FIP. Some cases may also show diarrhea or constipation.
Bloodwork often shows leukocytosis, increased neutrophils, decreased lymphocytes, elevated serum total protein, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, A
≤ 0.6.
Ascites causes gradual abdominal growth and softer touch. Increased pleural effusion leads to faster breathing. Drainage may be necessary if breathing is affected.
Mid Stage:
Symptoms worsen, including chronic non-regenerative anemia (HCT ≤ 24%), hyperbilirubinemia, golden yellow to dark yellow urine, and increased ascites or pleural effusion causing difficulty breathing.
Late Stage:
Severe anemia (HCT ≤ 16%, timely blood transfusion recommended). Cats may lose the ability to self-feed, walk unstably, and suffer from ataxia, severe icterus, and hemolytic anemia. Median survival for wet FIP is only 8 days. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to reversing symptoms and restoring quality of life.
Dry FIP
Early Stage:
Young cats (≤2 years old) with periodic fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, growth retardation, and dry coat. Ineffective antibiotic treatment raises suspicion of FIP. Some cases may also show diarrhea or constipation.
Bloodwork often shows leukocytosis, increased neutrophils, decreased lymphocytes, elevated serum total protein, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, A
≤ 0.6.
Gradual formation of granulomas in various organs, causing swelling of liver, kidneys, testicles, enlarged intestinal lymph nodes, and extensive purulent peritonitis.
Mid Stage:
Symptoms worsen, including chronic non-regenerative anemia (HCT ≤ 24%), jaundice, and golden yellow to dark yellow urine.
Eye lesions, primarily uveitis, leading to cloudy eyeballs, iris texture changes, and potential for white turbidity in the vitreous and yellow-white granulomatous nodules in blood vessels.
Mid-Late Stage:
Severe anemia (HCT ≤ 16%, timely blood transfusion recommended). Neurological symptoms such as nystagmus, resting tremor, rear limb weakness, bradykinesia, and postural instability may develop. FIP can cause aseptic meningitis when the virus penetrates the CNS.
Late Stage:
Symptoms include rigidity, confusion, incontinence, convulsions, tremor, paralysis, disorientation, and shock. Advanced disease often indicates a poor prognosis. Although some cats recover with treatment, there is a 30% recurrence rate after stopping medication.