ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602190087
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-13 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Paws & Claws
SOURCE: JILL BOWEN
Q: My veterinarian has diagnosed one of my cats as having feline infectious peritonitis. He says there is no treatment and that my other cats may already have contracted the disease. Could you please tell me about this disease, which I had not heard of before? I did not like to ask my veterinarian too many questions.
A: Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a viral disease of cats that has only come to prominence recently. Symptoms and the actual form of the disease can vary. There is the ``wet'' form where there is an outpouring of fluid into the abdomen. The cat obviously feels unwell, ignores its food, runs a fever and has a swollen abdomen. There is also a ``dry'' form which affects the liver, kidney, eye and the central nervous system.
It is thought that the FIP virus is a mutation of a very common virus, the feline enteric coronavirus. Researchers have found that about 5 percent of cats with coronavirus develop FIP. What makes the virus mutate is not known. There is no definitive test for FIP and no effective treatment. Most of the symptoms seen are the result of the cat's own defense mechanisms trying to fight the virus.
Unfortunately, the majority of cases are diagnosed at post-mortem.
As the owner of several cats, you have no way to tell if your other cats are infected or if they will succumb to FIP. However there are some precautions you can take to reduce the risks of your cats' getting the disease.
The feline enteric coronavirus is spread mainly in fecal material by carrier cats, so it is important to be as hygienic as possible. Provide one litter box per cat and scoop them daily. Change the entire contents weekly, disinfecting the boxes by soaking them in a bleach solution for 10 minutes (one ounce of bleach in four cups of water). Sweep or vacuum up litter tracked outside the box and mop the floor with the bleach solution. Keep all food and water bowls far away from the litter boxes. Because other viruses can weaken a cat's immune system, make sure your cats are fully vaccinated, especially against the feline leukemia virus. Keep your cats as healthy as possible, ensuring that they have proper nutrition and live in a stress-free environment with no overcrowding.
Today there is a vaccine available for FIP, so kittens can be protected. Ask your veterinarian. Do not introduce any new cats or kittens into the household until all those cats that have been living with the original FIP cat have left. Before introducing any new cats, disinfect all feed and water bowls with the bleach solution and wait at least one month.
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