Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
WINN FELINE
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One of the most poorly understood and enigmatic feline viruses is feline coronavirus, which is the virus responsible for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a prevalent and much feared feline disease. While the first case of FIP was reported in 1963, there is evidence of the disease as early as 1914. Even though veterinarians have known about this virus for a long time, little is actually known about it. However, research over the past 10 years is slowly shedding more light on this ever-present feline health problem.
The common and benign form of feline coronavirus is referred to as feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). When FECV has mutated into the disease causing form, it is then referred to as feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), which leads to the disease FIP.
FECV is a very common, highly infectious feline virus that infects the cells of the intestinal tract and affects both domestic and wild cat species (such as the cheetah). It has been estimated that in mulri-car households where FECV has been introduced, 80 to 90 per cent of remaining household cats will be infected. In the general cat population, infection rates may reach 30 to 40 per cent, while rates are lowest in feral cats. Fortunately, the majority of cats with FECV (about 90 per cent) remain healthy, although they may shed the virus in their feces.
On the down side, a small number of these cases will lead to FIP, This happens because coronaviruses are made of large numbers of nucleotides that are prone to mutations. Once mutated, these FECV strains are called FIPV. Recent research has found mutant FECVs can develop within an individual cat. Thus, the majority of cats do not "catch" FIP, but develop it themselves from their own mutant FECV. Although FECV spreads readily from cat to cat, transmission of FIP ...... [Read complete article]
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- An Update on Feline Coronavirus and FIP Testing: Dr. Melissa Kennedy; 2004
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