Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a severe, immune-mediated disease caused by certain strains of feline coronavirus (FCoV). It was long considered uniformly fatal, and diagnosis remains difficult because no single minimally invasive test is definitive. Antiviral nucleoside analogues have changed the outlook, although legal access varies between countries.
Key facts
Feline infectious peritonitis at a glance- Species and system: cat; multisystemic (vascular, serosal, ocular, neurologic, renal, hepatic).
- Cause: FCoV (Alphacoronavirus, enveloped positive-sense RNA virus). Common, mild enteric FCoV can change within an individual cat into a form that infects monocytes and macrophages.
- Classic presentation: young, often purebred cat from a multi-cat setting with fluctuating fever unresponsive to antibiotics, weight loss and effusion (wet) or uveitis and neurologic signs (dry).
- Transmission: FCoV spreads by the fecal-oral route and fomites; the FIP-causing virus is not considered contagious.
- Treatment: GS-441524 for at least 84 days where available.
- Zoonotic: FCoV infection is not considered a zoonotic risk (MSD).
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 4 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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