Follow Dr. Diane Addie's recommendations below:
- FEEDING THE CAT WITH FIP – USE A VARIED AND NATURAL DIET.
- Need to know:. In this author's opinion, feeding as varied and natural a diet as possible to cats with FCoV infection...
- Feed cats with FIP a little red meat every day.. Around one tablespoon (soup spoon) of raw minced beef or other red meat...
What is FIP in cats?
What is FIP? Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease of cats caused by certain strains of a virus called the feline coronavirus. Most strains of feline coronavirus are found in the gastrointestinal tract and do not cause significant disease. These are referred to as feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV).
What can I give my Cat for FIP?
Home treatments can include turmeric, colloidal silver, and vitamin D. Initial symptoms of FIP include sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, and sometimes diarrhea. As the disease progresses a cat may lose weight, become depressed and have a rough coat..
How much cod liver oil can I give my Cat for FIP?
(FIP is an autoimmune disease.) 1/4 teaspoon can be mixed into your cat’s food twice a day. A dietary supplement of cod liver oil will give your cat important nutrients, like Vitamin D, which is critical to the immune system.
How long does it take to treat FIP in cats?
With either form, the treatment protocol involves 84 days of daily dosing, followed by an 84 day observation period. The daily dose depends on the weight of the cat, the form of FIP, and the concentration of the medication.
What should I feed a cat with FIP?
Ham and Gravy is the stinkiest and therefore the most enticing to cats, but Chicken & Gravy or Turkey & Gravy are also fine to give provided they have NO seasonings (onions and garlic are toxic to cats). Many FIP cats prefer to lick food from their human's finger rather than eat out of their usual bowl.
Will cats with FIP eat?
They may have lethargy and weight loss, wobbliness, and breathing problems. Sometimes cats with FIP symptoms eat normally and have normal energy levels, making early diagnosis very difficult. In the final stages of FIP, cats struggle to breathe and eat, often resulting in euthanasia.
How long can a cat live with FIP?
The less common form of the disease is 'dry FIP' in which there is no build up of fluid but thick scar tissue develops on the cat's internal organs. Except in rare cases, wet FIP is fatal within about five weeks of diagnosis. The dry form is equally deadly but affected cats may survive for a few months.
What can I feed my cat with FIV?
They should be fed nutritionally complete and balanced diets, and uncooked food, such as raw meat and eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products should be avoided to minimize the risk of food-borne bacterial and parasitic infections. Wellness visits for FIV-infected cats should be scheduled at least every six months.
How do you feed a FIP cat?
Feed cats with FIP a little red meat every day. In addition, these natural foods are highly palatable, reducing or eliminating the need to use appetite stimulants. Almo Nature has a canned beef cat food and a sachet of raw meat which busy cat guardians can use instead of fresh meat.
How do you comfort a cat with FIP?
Therefore, treatment of FIP is aimed at making an affected cat comfortable. The cat should be encouraged to eat, and stress should be avoided. Treatments with immunosuppressive drugs, such as corticosteroids, or immu- nomodulators are often used, but the benefits are limited.
What are the final stages of FIP?
However, there are three stages of FIP infection, and significant risk to other cats occurs in only the first two stages.The first stage is initial infection. ... The second stage is one of dormancy. ... The third stage is clinical illness.
Has any cat ever survived FIP?
Twenty naturally infected symptomatic cats with FIP were treated. Thirteen eventually died, often relapsing after a remission and dying of neurological FIP in the brain. Seven cats survived and appear to remain disease free as of now, one as long as 1 year following treatment.
Is FIP in cats a death sentence?
It generally strikes kittens and young cats under 2 years of age, or older cats whose immune system has been stressed or otherwise compromised. Feline Coronavirus is different from COVID-19. Historically, FIP has been a death sentence.
Does lysine help cats with FIV?
Lysine (brand names: Enisyl-F®, Incremin®, Viralys®, Felisyl®, Optixcare) is an amino acid supplement used to treat clinical signs associated with feline herpes virus infection in cats.
Can FIV cats have milk?
Milk, no never give milk. Kittens and puppies once weaned from their mother lose the ability to digest the milk sugar lactose. Just like people that are lactose intolerant. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal cramping can develop.
How do you boost a cat's immune system?
One of the easiest ways to support your cat's immune system is by ensuring that their diet is giving them the nutrients they need. But going to the pet store and walking down the cat food aisle can be more than overwhelming. The options for cat food are endless today.
What are the final stages of FIP?
However, there are three stages of FIP infection, and significant risk to other cats occurs in only the first two stages.The first stage is initial infection. ... The second stage is one of dormancy. ... The third stage is clinical illness.
Should I put my cat down FIP?
I would never suggest euthanizing a cat, even with FIP, as long as it looks and acts fairly normal. Miracles do happen, but they can't happen unless they are provided time to happen. However, I also cannot argue with those owners that decide to end suffering at an earlier stage, given the grave prognosis.
Do cats survive FIP?
Although the effusive form of FIP is often rapidly fatal, some cats can live longer than one might imagine (weeks or months) with supportive care. Pulmonary fluids need to be drained, but abdominal fluids typically should not be drained. Cats with the dry form may stay alive for months or more.
What is the cause of a cat's FIP?
Anemia. Feeding Your Cat. Lung Ailments: A Widespread Source of Feline Woe. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease of cats caused by certain strains of a virus called the feline coronavirus. Most strains of feline coronavirus are found in the gastrointestinal tract and do not cause significant disease.
How long does it take for a cat to develop FIP?
Only a small percentage of cats that are exposed to the FeCV develop FIP, and this can occur weeks, months, or even years after initial exposure to FeCV. There are two major forms of FIP, an effusive, or “wet” form and a noneffusive, or “dry” form.
What happens if a cat gets FIPV?
Regardless of which form they ultimately progress to develop, cats infected with FIPV usually first develop nonspecific signs of disease such as loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, and fever. It is also important to note that cases of the effusive form of FIP can evolve into the non-effusive form and vice-versa.
What percentage of cats have FeCV?
In approximately 10 percent of cats infected with FeCV, one or more mutations of the virus can alter its biological behavior, resulting in white blood cells becoming infected with virus and spreading it throughout the cat’s body. When this occurs, the virus is referred to as the FIPV.
How old is a cat at risk for FIP?
Any cat that carries FeCV is potentially at risk for developing FIP, but younger cats are at greater risk of developing FIP, with approximately 70% of cases diagnosed in cats less than 1 1/2 years of age and 50% of cases occurring in cats less than 7 months of age. The most common mode of transmission of FeCV is believed to occur ...
Can cats get FIP?
Cats that are housed in high-density facilities (i.e. shelters, catteries) appear to be more susceptible to the development of FIP, as are pure bred cats, male cats, and geriatric cats, for reasons that remain unclear.
Can you test for FIP in cats?
Unfortunately, there is currently no definitive test to diagnose FIP. While antibody levels, or titers, to coronavirus can be measured, they cannot definitively distinguish between exposure to FeCV and FIPV. A positive result means only that the cat has had a prior exposure to coronavirus, but not necessarily to FIPV.
What is FIP and how is it spread?
Cats are often exposed and acquire FCoV without causing any significant symptoms and most cats will not develop FIP. FCoV can remain inactive in a cat for months, even years before they develop signs of FIP. Several factors cause the virus to change, which leads to the serious FIP infection we see in some cats.
Symptoms of Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Initial symptoms of FIP are often nonspecific such as decreased appetite, decreased energy, weight loss, and fever which can look like other illnesses. Symptoms worsen over days, weeks, sometimes even months. Kittens affected with FIP are often smaller than their littermates, weak and thin with a rough, dull haircoat.
How is FIP diagnosed?
FIP can be challenging to diagnose because blood tests cannot determine whether the FCoV is the one causing severe, often fatal, symptoms or the form that causes none of these symptoms. A negative FIP test result does not confirm that a cat is negative, especially when they’re showing signs of FIP.
Can cats with FIP be treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for FIP, and cats showing symptoms listed above often get sicker over days, weeks, sometimes even months and die from the virus.
Can FIP be prevented?
Because there is still so much we don’t understand about FIP and because coronavirus is easily transmitted to many cats worldwide, it’s unlikely that we can prevent FIP. A vaccine is available for FIP but has not been shown to prevent the disease, therefore it is not currently recommended.
When to Contact a Veterinarian
If your cat shows any of the signs listed above, you should contact your pDVM (primary veterinarian) right away.
Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding FIP or another condition?
Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.
Which breed of cats have FIP?
Genetics may also be a role as certain breeds, include the Abyssinian, Bengal, Birman, Himalayan, Ragdoll, and Devon Rex appear more prone to developing FIP.
What does FIP mean in cats?
FIP stands for Feline Infectious Peritonitis and is caused by a cat-specific coronavirus that poses no risk to humans. In most cats, the coronavirus normally stays in the intestines and either causes no problems or just mild diarrhea.
Why is it important to keep cats in a low stress environment?
And then also keeping our cats in a low-stress situation because stress can reduce the immune response and that can make infection with FIP more likely or less able to be cleared when it first starts.
How common is cat infection?
Infection in this way is really common, with about 40% of household cats becoming infected at some point in their lives. For cats living in the same home as other cats, infection is even more common with about 60% being infected. In cat colonies, infection rates are pretty much 100%.
How much does FIP kill cats?
Genetics also is thought to play a role and worldwide FIP is thought to affect and kill about 1% of the cat population. So, that's actually really, really high prevalence and really serious disease that every cat owner should be aware of. And with that in mind, we need to think about what the symptoms of FIP are.
Why is dry FIP so difficult to diagnose?
Now, with dry FIP, that is much more difficult to diagnose because those signs are very vague. They're related to whatever organ is affected, but it's very difficult to take samples of those and to reach a definitive diagnosis of FIP. So, with that in mind, how do we actually go about diagnosing FIP in an infected cat.
How long can a cat survive FIP?
This means that a massive 77% of cats not only survived FIP, but remained healthy for at least 9 months after infection.
What is FIP in cats?
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Remedies. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral infection found in cats. FIP attacks the cells of the intestinal wall, causing a significant inflammatory response. Natural remedies focus on strengthening the immune system, supporting the liver, and fighting infection.
What is the best supplement for cats to get iron?
Liquid Chlorophyll. Liquid chlorophyll is a dietary supplement that purifies the blood and helps boost iron levels. 10 drops of liquid chlorophyll can be added to a cat’s food or water. (It will turn the water green, however!)
What are the symptoms of FIP?
Initial symptoms of FIP include sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, and sometimes diarrhea.
What are the two forms of FIP?
As the disease progresses a cat may lose weight, become depressed and have a rough coat.. FIP has two forms: “dry” and “wet. ". The dry form is more common and exhibits the symptoms above, but the wet form has a faster onset and is characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
Can cats take colloidal silver?
Colloidal Silver. Colloidal silver fights viruses and secondary infections. (A sick cat is at risk for getting other infections.) Because it is tasteless, it is usually easy to give a cat colloidal silver. 5 ml can be given with a syringe twice a day.
Is apple cider vinegar safe for cats?
Apple cider vinegar makes an excellent daily tonic for cats. In addition to supporting good health, it helps to keep your cat flea free. This video will show you an easy and gentle way to give a daily dose of apple cider vinegar to your cat.
How to prevent FIP in cats?
To prevent infection, the following is recommended: ● Keep your cat as healthy as possible. ● Keep litter boxes clean.
What is FIP in cats?
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease caused by a feline coronavirus that affects wild and domestic cats. This type of coronavirus is different from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in people. Feline coronavirus is very common and usually doesn't cause any serious issues, aside from mild diarrhea.
What to do if your cat has a high protein?
If there is a build-up of fluid in your cat’s abdomen or chest, your veterinarian may collect a sample of the fluid for testing. Fluid with a high protein percentage is an indicator of FIP and will frequently be yellow-tinged. If FIP is suspected, your veterinarian may take an X-ray or ultrasound of your cat.
What is a dry FIP?
Dry form. The dry form of FIP causes infection and inflammatory lesions around the blood vessels in a cat’s body. This infection can affect the brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, and skin. This form often causes the cat ...
Why is my cat's chest leaking?
Wet form. With this form of the disease, fluid builds up in the abdomen, which causes a pot-bellied appearance. Fluid may also build up in the chest, making it hard for the cat to breathe. This form of FIP causes damage to the blood vessels, resulting in inflammation and fluid leaking from the blood into the abdomen and chest.
What happens if a cat has a wet form?
In some cases, cats will also have excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, weight loss, and jaundice. Wet form.
Is FIP contagious in cats?
It can cause an extreme inflammatory reaction in the tissues surrounding the abdomen, kidney, or brain. Although FIP is not believed to be contagious, it is a very serious disease. When a cat gets FIP, it is progressive and almost always fatal.
Pathogenesis, signalment and clinical signs
FCoV is highly contagious and can enter the body through the oral route or by inhalation. It reproduces in the intestinal tract and the shedding of the virus through the feces starts just two days after infection.
Diagnosis of FIP
Since there isn’t a single diagnostic test for FIP the definitive diagnosis is established on the base of clinical signs, anamnesis and laboratory findings. Regarding the complete blood cell count usually, there is anemia, neutrophilia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia present.
Treating and managing cats with FIP
The therapeutic protocol for cats with FIP is intended to control the vascular pathology characterizing the disease by suppressing immune complexes formation. Those cats identified as seropositive for FCoV shouldn’t be subjected to stressful situations, invasive surgeries or change of households.
What is a wet FIP in cats?
When cats have no immune response to FCoV, they develop the wet form of FIP, which is characterized by a vasculitis that allows fluid to build up in the abdomen (ascites), around the lungs (pleural effusion), and/or around the heart (pericardial effusion).
Why are cats at higher risk for FIP?
Cats and kittens who have recently been adopted/rehomed, vaccinated, or spayed/neutered are at a higher risk because these common stressors disrupt and weaken the immune system which, coupled with concurrent exposure to FCoV, creates the perfect storm that is FIP.
How old is a FIP cat?
The most common age for FIP is under 2 years, or over 8 years, although it can strike at any time. The vast majority of FIP cats are in the 5-9 month range, presumably because this is typically the age when several stressors occur.
How long can a cat carry FCOV?
Cats can carry FCoV for days, weeks, or even years without ever developing FIP. Cats may also be chronic or intermittent shedders of FCoV and never display any symptoms or go on to develop FIP. In fact, the vast majority of cats will never suffer the mutation into FIP.
What happens when a cat has a pleural effusion?
When pleural effusion is present, the cat’s breathing may sound congested or otherwise labored, typically with open -mouthed breathing. In the case of a pericardial effusion, the cat may develop an acute heart murmur, increased heart rate, or have a clear watery nasal discharge.
What are the symptoms of a wet FIP?
Other symptoms may include anemia, jaundice, dehydration, diarrhea or vomiting. Again, fairly non-specific. Vets will start the diagnosis process the same as with wet FIP, by evaluating the cat’s history, symptoms, CBC and Chemistry panel.
What are the markers of FIP?
With wet FIP, classic markers are typically present, which include high white blood cells, high TBIL, high neutrophils, high protein, low red blood cells (non-regenerative anemia), low albumen, and high globulin. Typically a fluid sample is drawn and may be observed for color and texture, or may be sent out for a PCR.
Meet Luna
What is FIP in cats? (Our cat, Luna, went to the University of California, Davis, for a brand new FIP drug trial.)
Our First Pet: A Beautiful Savannah Cat
After careful research and education to learn about Savannah cats and select a reputable breeder, Luna joined our family in March 2017 at ten weeks. When I picked her up in Boston, she was spunky, alert, playful, and in seemingly good health. Luna's exceedingly friendly, funny, quirky, overly loving, and loaded with personality.
Luna's FIP Diagnosis: The Right Place at the Right Time
Luna's abdominal distention worsened, and on April 21st, we took her to the emergency clinic. I'd already researched common causes of abdominal distention in kittens and read about Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). FIP was in the back of my mind; however, it's not relatively common. I thought at the worst; it'd be a parasite.
Luna's Journey to U.C. Davis for a Life-Saving Drug Trial
To my surprise, on April 23rd, I received a call back from Michael Bannasch at UCD, assistant to Dr. Niels Pedersen. Dr. Pedersen is a vet, professor, and researcher, who's worked on a cure for FIP since the 1960s. Michael shared the news of a new drug trial pending institutional approval.
The Anti-Viral Trial Drug Known as EVO984 or GS-441524 (GS441524) Went to Work Immediately
Luna responded extremely fast to the drug called "EVO984 (later called GS-441524). We saw an immediate improvement in her fever and behavior after only one injection. Luna responded so well; we came home on day six. She'd receive another 11 plus weeks of daily injections to complete her treatment regimen.
A Happy Ending for Luna and a Hopeful Future for Cats Diagnosed With FIP
Luna's last injection of EVO984 - GS-441524 was July 23rd, 2017. She's thriving, shows no signs of disease, and her lab work remains perfect today. She loves to go camping and on our backpacking adventures. She's hiked up to 13 miles, either walking on her harness or riding on the backpack.
Do You Have Experience With FIP?
Comments and feedback about your own experiences with FIP are most welcome. I value input from others and fully support you and your cat. Feel free to ask any questions about FIP and current treatment options, and I'll do my best to direct you to the best resources.
