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.

The authors exclude all liability whatsoever for any loss or damage arising out of the use of this website or reliance upon its content and STRONGLY advises anybody with veterinary-related questions to consult a qualified veterinarian. No responsibility can be accepted.

Etiology of Feline Coronavirus

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a single positive-stranded enveloped RNA virus that is infectious to felids (not contagious to other species) commonly found worldwide and is typically shed in feces by healthy cats and transmitted by the fecal-oral route to other cats, via sharing litter trays and cat litter fomites. The transmission rate is much higher in multiple cat environments especially in those where cats are housed indoors.

Virus Classification:
Order: Nidovirales
Family: Coronaviridae
Genus: Alphacoronavirus
Species: Alphacoronavirus 1
Subspecies: Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) – RNA enveloped virus
Fragile virus but resistant in the environment for 3 to 7 weeks when protected by protein (fecal matter)
Susceptible to sodium hypochlorite (common household bleach)

There are two serotypes of FCoV: Serotype I predominates in Europe and North America, while Serotype II predominates in Asia.

Type I FCoV:

Purely feline
Difficult to grow in cell culture
Possibly cell associated
Most prevalent in the field

Type II FCoV:

Arises from a recombination event between type I FCoV and CCoV (canine coronavirus)
Grows in cell culture
Less than 10% of field isolates but most laboratory isolates

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.