EDUCATION

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): an in-depth look.

endFIP attention please Please note: this section is intended for individuals who want to learn more and have a deeper understanding of feline coronavirus and FIP. Basic knowledge of veterinary/scientific terms is needed to fully comprehend this section which was created for information purposes ONLY.

If you are a pet parent with a sick cat, please consult a qualified veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.

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Incubation, onset, and clinical course of FIP

The natural incubation period of feline infectious peritonitis varies greatly, from a few weeks to several years. Though it is unpredictable, cats are at an increased risk for developing FIP within the first 6 to 18 months after initial infection with FCoV. The onset of clinical signs of FIP is often deceptive. In some cases is quite sudden, especially in young kittens. Once the clinical signs developed, FIP is progressive and virtually always fatal.
There is a significant variation in the duration of clinical illness prior to death, a few weeks is typical but prolonged illness exceeding several months can occur as well as intermittent illness marked by periods of presumed remission.

important In effusive FIP cases, the clinical course is usually acute (days to weeks) with the vast majority of cases presenting with inflammatory fluids in the abdominal cavity, some in the thoracic cavity and about 20% in both cavities.
In non-effusive FIP, the course is often chronic and insidious (weeks to months) presenting with multifocal pyogranulomatous inflammation and necrotizing vasculitis in several organs. Worth to note, cats presenting with only ocular symptoms sometimes survive for more than a year.

DISCLAIMER: The use of this website is at your own risk. This website is for information purposes ONLY, and it is NOT meant to replace a consultation with a fully qualified veterinary surgeon (veterinarian). It is NOT intended to be used to diagnose or treat any cat. The creators share their personal experiences, recommendations of treatments, foods, medications, supplements, and products for informative and educational purposes exclusively. The information in this site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Creators and contributors exclude all liability whatsoever for any loss or damage arising out of use of this site or reliance upon its contents. Furthermore, creators and contributors strongly advise all users to always seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian and to obtain professional advice on the correct regimen for your cat and his or her particular situation. NO responsibility can be accepted.