Introduction: FIP is a systemic disease associated with a mutation of the feline enteric
coronavirus.
Signalment: The disease is most commonly recognized in cats less than five years of
age with the greatest incidence of disease in cats less that one year of age. There
is reported to be a higher incidence of FIP in purebred cats, however this may be related
to an increased exposure rate in high density housing situations such as catteries.
Pathophysiology: FIP can occur in two forms: "wet" FIP is characterized by peritoneal effusion,
and "dry" FIP typically has granulomatous lesions and no effusion.
| Wet FIP:
Notice the fibrin in the abdominal cavity, adherent to organ surfaces.
|
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| Dry FIP:
Note the multiple, large granulomas in the renal cortex. This may be
palpated as an irregular cortical surface, and/or as diffusely enlarged kidneys. |
|
Clinical Signs:
- Both forms - Anorexia, fever, malaise, dehydration,
and weight loss. In
either form, hepatic manifestation of this disease is consistent with immune-complex
vasculitis or pyogranulomatous/granulomatous hepatitis secondary to viremia.
- Wet form - Signs of multi-organ inflammatory
disease including: icterus, ascites, abdominal distension, lymphadenopathy, irregular
liver borders (+/- hepatomegaly),
abdominal masses, pleural effusion, dyspnea, pericardial effusion, splenomegaly, and
neurologic deficits. An experienced clinician may be able to palpate
discrete nodules on the serosal surfaces, especially in the kidneys and the
spleen.
- Dry form - Tends to be much more
difficult to diagnose due to the vagueness of its presentation both in clinical
signs and laboratory data. Persistent fever of unknown origin, pyogranulomatous hepatitis, anterior uveitis, ataxia, seizures, vestibular
deficits, and other CNS dysfunctions are frequently reported.
For more information. . .
-
Bar, MC, Olsen, CW, Scott, FW. Feline viral disease. In : Textbook of
Veterinary Internal Medicine, eds. Ettinger, SJ and Feldman, EC (pg 1277)
